06-18-07 Item 2B, EDC Plan Presentation

Home Browse Search

A master plan, zoning changes and development/redevelopment efforts designed to create a city center would benefit Arden Hills greatly. This center would be addressed through the way-finding signage presented elsewhere in this strategy and supported through various fairs and festivals held purposely in this area to help create greater awareness and presence for the city center in the community. The EDC views this initiative as a top priority. 10) Trails & Recreation Program Arden Hills is challenged by the presence of major segregating assets which are its highways and lakes. These bisect the community into small pockets allowing for separate and unique residential opportunities. However, this separation also increases the need for attention to be paid on linking the individual pieces together. Citizens in Arden Hills reflect their interest in a trails program as they often site the segmented nature of the community in discussions and surveys. The City's Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC) developed a master plan in 2002. This plan links the trail system into a unified network of pedestrian transportation throughout the community. The EDC views this initiative as a top priority and fully supports the PTRCs Parks, Trails and Recreation Plan. 11) Development Sites. As a land locked community, Arden Hills is rapidly running out of developable sites for consideration. This shifts the community's priorities from a development to a redevelopment nature. Due to development pressures in and around the community, single site redevelopments can and will most often be handled by market forces. However, we may have some tracts of land that are under or non- performing and convert them to a higher and better use is what we are talking about here. Arden Hills is at a point where master planning entire neighborhoods, retail districts, business parks and yes, the city center needs to move onto the public agenda. Through this process, a more proactive vision for the city can be implemented. Accomplishing this vision will require the city's participation in the development process through financing, incenting and negotiating key partners to participate in the process. The EDC views this initiative as a top priority and further defines the following areas as key redevelopment sites: The Red Fox/Gray Fox bUSiness/industrial area, the former City Hall site on CR 96, the Lexington and CR E business area, and the Chesapeake property in the Gateway Business District. Strategic Plan for Economic Development Page 10 of 20 \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\Admin\Committees\Economic Development Commission\AH Strategic Plan - Final 5-16-07.doc