03-13-23-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — FEBRUARY 21, 2023 7 You have to make sure you cover costs and have benefits. It would be good to have residents weigh in early in the process so the final outcome is more likely to reflect their desires. Councilmember Holden said right now the JDA is in the process of planning and she was asking they have transparency going into the agreement, and to have the residents become involved throughout the process while they are laying it out. Councilmember Fabel said the important thing to remember is that it is a partnership between the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County, representing the same people. They won't be breaking off with the City doing this and the County doing that, they'll be working together. Councilmember Monson felt they could be partners and bring the public along. Councilmember Holden stated the County will be responsible for one item once TCAAP is developed and that is the spine road, everything else will be the liability of the citizens of Arden Hills. Mayor Grant wondered how they would know what the bright line items are without inviting the resident's input. Councilmember Monson said the JDA will make a plan, be able to define specific things, define the appropriate time to have an open house, and there is time at the JDA meetings for public comment. Councilmember Rousseau said she would appreciate it if they would work with the other JDA representative to let them know there is an appetite for some kind of roadmap to identity key areas and a possible joint public event. Mayor Grant asked how many subcommittee meetings have already been held. City Administrator Perrault said there haven't been any actual advisory committee meetings, but City staff had a phone call with County staff to talk about the upcoming agenda for the advisory committee meeting. The advisory committee is Councilmember Fabel, Commissioner Frethem and staff from the City and County. G. Ordinance Review for Home Improvement Discussion City Administrator Perrault stated this item was requested by a councilmember to be put on the agenda. It was communicated to staff the renovations to homes can be difficult due to the "restrictive" ordinances in the city. Staff looked at some of the variances that have been approved and denied over the last three years. Four were approved, one was not. Staff had also heard that corner lot setbacks have proven difficult. Staff is happy to do a deeper dive into sections of the ordinance and bring it back to the Council if they find things that are cumbersome or restrictive as compared to other cities. Councilmember Holden said that because Arden Hills isn't on a grid system, different ordinances have different effects on different neighborhoods.