10-7-2013 JDA - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 2013 • Any plan needs to have built in flexibility because market will change many times before a full build-out. • The site will need to be divided into much smaller pieces to accommodate an extended absorption period. • Important to engage a diverse set of stakeholders to communicate expectations and build capacity. Audience Q&A • What about retail development? (yes, opportunity for some commercial) • How does this development affect the surrounding communities positively or negatively? (linkages are crucial/Gen Y wants to stay connected; growth is good for surrounding communities; need to sustain existing businesses and bring in new ones, not just jumping from one community to another) • Should the site be marketed nationally and internationally? (yes) • Plan has to be prescriptive enough to reflect values, flexible enough to allow developers, and what does a master plan like that look like? (be a keeper of the vision over time; identify “sacred elements” of the site; create framework and then let the market dictate) Breakout Groups Attendees visited two of four stations focusing on specific topics of Commercial and Residential Development, Transportation and Access, Environment/Energy/Sustainability, and Passive and Active Open Space. Commercial and Residential Development Common Themes: • Mixed use development desired (good restaurants, housing/residential called out specifically as desired; heavy industrial was undesired) • Focus on retail • Senior and affordable housing important • Balance with surrounding communities and greater Ramsey County • Develop land in phases according to access points, infrastructure development and cost, and cleanup • Consider departure from current development pattern with continuation of what makes Arden Hills a place where people want to live their full lives Transportation and Access Common Themes: • Look into incorporating transit on the site • Don’t build high-volume infrastructure • Neighborhood oriented streets (low-volume, tight grid) • Adequate connections to CR 96 and CR H • Multi-modal connections Environment/Energy/Sustainability Common Themes: • Investigate regional stormwater systems; find creative ways to reuse stormwater • Open to using public financing for systems that make sense, i.e. result in lower overall energy costs, payback over time • Capitalize on unique site features like topography and elevation • Finding a way to utilize the groundwater is of interest Active and Passive Open Space Common Themes: • Investigate recreational and trail access to AHATS outside of the TCAAP reuse area • Incorporate significant amounts of greenspace on-site • Connect an extensive on-site park network to the external parks and trails system • Possibility of a greenspace facility that acts as regional draw to the site • Use a complete streets/active streets model for the roadway network • Plan early to maximize benefits of the park and trail system