07-07-2025 JDA Work Session Packet

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7 Master plan The Arden Hills City Council and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners have adopted a Master Plan which consists of a zoning map and a form-based zoning code known as the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (“TRC”). As described in the approved TRC, the goals of the Master Plan are to promote and provide a functional and attractive community through the use of recognized community design principles. It aims to allow property owners, applicants, or developers flexibility in land use, while prescribing a higher level of detail in building design and form than the current standards set in the Arden Hills City Code (AHCC). The standards of the TRC are intended to encourage more functional building patterns and to create higher-quality pedestrian environments along most streets without stifling creativity or overregulating buildings. The Arden Hills City Council approved the rezoning, TRC, and a comprehensive plan amendment on July 13, 2015. The comprehensive plan amendment was ratified by the Metropolitan Council on October 28, 2015. The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the Master Plan on January 19, 2016. The Master Plan lays out a vision for the following: • Campus commercial: The 46 acres comprising the northern portion of the site are expected to serve primarily as office space for one or more larger employers. This portion of the site has freeway visibility from the west and open space and Rice Creek to the east. • Mixed-use retail: This land use is concentrated in 20 acres of retail development at the northern entrance to the site that will be served by a new off-ramp from 35W. The mixed-use retail district includes an additional 9-10 acres combined at the southern entrance to the site and in the town center area. • Mixed-use office: The land use allows for 20 acres of office space in buildings that can be built up to five stories in height. This density would likely require some structured parking. • Flex business: Approximately 73 acres on the west and southern portions of the site are zoned flex business, which allows for office, technology and manufacturing uses. The TRC does not allow businesses that primarily provide warehousing and distribution. The focus of this area is on a variety of high-quality employment opportunities. • Neighborhood residential: Three distinct residential neighborhoods are planned. The Creek neighborhood consists of 40 acres in the northeast portion of the site; the Hill neighborhood is comprised of 62 acres in the west-central portion of the site; and the Town neighborhood includes 50 acres in the middle of RCC near the town center. The expectation is that the site will be developed in substantial conformance with the approved TRC and Master Plan.