12-06-23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 6, 2023 6 to consider if there were other alternative routes, especially given the fact up to an additional 500 housing units were being added to the development. He questioned if access roads onto Highway 10 had been considered. Community Development Director Jagoe commented on the results from the AUAR and stated through mitigation measures that have been identified and the strategies that have been contemplated, specifically to the intersection at County Road 96 and North Heights, the rating for this intersection was a C. She understood that while 500 additional housing units were being added to the development, 300,000 square feet of commercial/flex office space was being removed. She reported the impacts of this change would be further vetted through an updated AUAR. Chair Vijums stated minor shifts may be made, but he was still concerned with the fact these intersections were currently had a rating of C, D or F before the project has even begun. He asked what other routes could be considered in order to make the Commission more comfortable with the traffic flow to and through this development. He was of the opinion the Commission did not have enough information on the traffic patterns and studies. He believed now was the time to address the traffic concerns or to try to alleviate the traffic concerns. Commissioner Weber indicated he supported the additional 500 housing units, as well as the removal of the flex office space. However, he was concerned about the southwest corner. He explained he lived along Highway 10 and it was very loud. He commented on how he opposed the North Heights Church development because they would have a difficult time mitigating the noise from Highway 10. He reported he would like to see a noise wall being paid for by the City and the County in order to buffer Highway 10 noise from the new housing. Commissioner Collins clarified the NR-3 and NR-4 designations were being revised to allow for the increased density. Community Development Director Jagoe reported this was the case. She commented further on the proposed changes for the NR-3 and NR-4 designations. Commissioner Collins questioned what the nature of the NR-4 designation was. He asked if a height restriction was in place for the NR-4 designation. Community Development Director Jagoe explained the NR-4 district would be guided by the Town Center regulations. She indicated the building heights that would be allowed are similar to TC-3 which would be four or five stories. Commissioner Collins asked staff for what development might look at the density proposed for NR-3 and NR-4. Community Development Director Jagoe explained a visualization of density was provided in the staff report. She reported these examples of existing Arden Hills neighborhoods with five units per acre or ten units per acre. She noted additional visuals were provided from New Brighton and Shoreview that depicted 20 to 50 units per acre, as well as the 50 to 75 units per acre. She commented on the Twin Lakes project that was recently completed in Roseville.