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<br />Final Recommendations of the TCAAP Reutilization Committee <br /> <br />Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br />The prairie pothole fonnation on the nOl1hern portion of the property is a valuable testament to the <br />geologic heritage of the region. As such, the area should be protected as part of the planned open space, <br />to be preserved for the enjoyment of all, e <br /> <br />The central portion of the TCAAP site provides an opportunity to protect some unique features, <br />including the kames and the Desmodium illinoense (Illinois Tick-treefoil). This area includes the gravel <br />pit, which has been carved into a portion of one of the glacial kames. This primarily upland area should <br />be included in the planned open space, in conjunction with Marsden Lake to the east and a corridor <br />leading to Rice Creek to the west as part of a larger contiguous open space area, <br /> <br />2. Recreation: Provide an area for the development of recreational spaces and facilities that are unique <br />and acceptable to the broader community and anticipates the future demographic needs ofthe broader <br />community. To that end, provide at least 70 contiguous acres for ajoint recreation facility that can be <br />used and supported by the broader community. The most likely location for the joint community athletic <br />complex is within the northern portion ofthe property, surrounded to the southeast, south and west by <br />open space, and to the north by Institutional land, and to the northeast by housing, Should it become <br />clear in the interim that this land is unavailable, the fields may be located elsewhere. Provide at least 25 <br />contiguous acres of land for a community park for the City of Arden Hills. Until such time that the <br />property becomes excessed, allow the general public access to the facility for outdoor recreational <br />activities in appropriate areas. Encourage the development of an historic/nature interpretive center on the <br />site. <br /> <br />Buffer zones are needed between the residential areas and critical areas ofthe park preserve. These <br />buffer zones, of approximately 180 acres, could be used for either passive natural areas or active <br />recreation. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />3. Housing: Encourage the provision of a balanced housing supply in relationship to affordability, life- <br />cycle housing, density, market conditions and resource availability. To that end, provide the potential for <br />at least 400 acres for the development of residential housing. Housing on the facility should be <br />constructed in locations which do not impinge on the natural resources to be protected. Housing may be <br />built on the site and shall be located as shown on the attached map [see a copy of this report in the <br />TCAAP Reuse Committee notebook at the Arden Hills Library], and shall be generally described as <br />follows: Situated on the northern portion the property, abutting County Road I, east of the proposed <br />institutional land, and abutting joint community athletic fields. Housing also may be located on a portion <br />ofland between commercial/industrial/office space development and the buffer zone designated as <br />"active/passive recreation". It may extend all the way down to Highway 96 in the south. The principles <br />embodied within the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act should be supported, The 14 houses <br />currently occupying the northwest portion of the site should be viewed as a resource which could be <br />reused, The current location falls within areas which are not suitable for housing. We recommend that <br />the housing be made available to any organization which can, through the McKinney Act and other <br />federal processes, make appropriate use of the buildings elsewhere on or off the property. <br /> <br />Future population and other circumstances may dictate a need for more educational space. If the need <br />develops for greater educational space, school development should be designed in such a manner as to <br />minimize the amount ofland needed, to use the features of the land in such a way as to encourage that it <br />does not infringe upon nor use open space. <br /> <br />4, Economic Development: Commercial, office and industrial development opportunities exist on the ... <br />properly which will benefit the surrounding communities and the larger metropolitan area. It is .. <br />important to create an environment which encourages a broad range of development opportunities and <br />jobs. Create a development climate which encourages the formation of a wide range of development <br /> <br />http://www.merr.comlbadger/future/tcaap.htm <br /> <br />12/6/2001 <br />