09-03-14 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 3, 2014 10 The City Council also approved a resolution to adopt the TCAAP Final Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) and Mitigation Plan. An AUAR is a form of environmental documentation through Minnesota State Rules that evaluates development scenarios for an entire geographical area rather than a specific project. The adopted AUAR and Mitigation Plan will serve as a working document for the TCAAP site going forward. The City Council held the first of three workshops with Gateway Planning, the zoning sub- consultant for the TCAAP Master Plan, on August 18. Gateway Planning provided an introduction to performance based zoning, reviewed the framework and important elements of the code, and discussed the initial draft of chapters 1 through 5, which are the administrative and process sections of the code. At the second workshop on September 15, the City Council will be discussing standards for building and site development, building design, open space areas, streetscape and landscaping, and signs. The City Council continued their discussion of chapters 1 through 5 of the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) at the Work Session on August 25. Specific topics of discussion included the relationship of the TRC to other City Ordinances, the development review process, and the appropriate mix of different housing types. C. TCAAP Update City Planner Streff reported that the utility poles are being removed from the site. The remaining building slabs are also being removed and the concrete processed into aggregate. He explained Ramsey County has chosen a consultant for the TCAAP Energy Plan. The consultant’s name will be announced once the contract is finalized. The Energy Advisory Board will begin meeting in September, and a white paper is expected to be presented to the Joint Development Authority in November. City Planner Streff indicated that Ramsey County will be redesigning the County’s TCAAP website which currently can be found at www.tcaap.net. The new website will go live in early 2015 and will provide information on marketing, infrastructure, remediation, the Joint Development Authority, and other topics. Public documents related to remediation and development will be made available through this website, either through a direct post or a link. City Planner Streff stated that Ramsey County announced that Rice Creek Commons has been chosen as the marketing name for the TCAAP site. The name was chosen because it highlights the site’s location adjacent to Rice Creek and its proximity to both downtowns. Whether the name will be the official name going forward is unclear at this time. Developers have indicated that it will be important to rebrand the property due to negative connotations associated with the TCAAP name. City Planner Streff commented that special and regular City Council work session meetings have been scheduled to discuss issues related to the Master Plan and City infrastructure. Discussion topics are tentatively planned as follows: September 8, 2014, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room • Spine Road and Grading Design Review (Infrastructure)