05-26-15-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 26, 2015 9 Community Development Director Hutmacher requested that the Council grant preliminary approval of the TCAAP Redevelopment Code pending public hearings and Met Council approval; authorize staff to prepare a draft Comprehensive Plan Amendment; and authorize staff to prepare for public hearings. Mayor Grant thanked Community Development Director Hutmacher for her presentation and asked the Council if they had any questions. Councilmember Holden stated that she did not believe that every intersection within the Gateway Overlay District should be required to have a turret, copula, or rotunda. She requested further information on how staff would define cornice edging. Associate Planner Bachler reviewed several photos and discussed how staff would define cornice edging along a building fagade. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that the TRC included architectural features at each intersection within the Gateway Overlay District. These features did not necessarily have to add to overall building height. She reported that decorative cornices could be added to the list of approved architectural items. Councilmember Holden asked what amount of land acreage would be used for residential development. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that approximately 151 acres are available for residential development, and that this number has continued to evolve after the Spine Road shifted and park space has moved. She stated that once TCAAP was platted, the City would have precise numbers for each of the areas. Councilmember Holden indicated that she attended the Ramsey County Board meeting today. She questioned what the benefit would be to increase the density as high as possible. Councilmember Woodburn stated that he had the same question. Mayor Grant stated that he did not have an understanding as to why the County was pushing for a higher density development than what the City was considering. He understood that high- quality jobs, development amenities, and various other factors were also concerns to the County. Councilmember Holmes expressed confusion and wondered why the County needed 1,600 residential units on TCAAP with a density of 10 to 15 units per acre. She believed that based on the handout provided by the County, the proposed numbers would assist the County in reaching their metrics. Councilmember Holden reported that the metrics were a new development from the County. Mayor Grant understood the metrics were new to the County Commissioners. He commented that the return on investment metric was a higher priority to some Commissioners than others. It appeared to him that the County had not discussed the metrics.