HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.B Guiding Plan for the B2 District-UpdateDATE: August 17, 2009 Item LB
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: James Lehnhoff, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Guiding Plan for the B2 District - Update
This item had been scheduled for the July 20, 2009, work session but was deferred to the August 17
meeting.
Requested Direction
Discuss the status of the Guiding Plan for the B2 District and provide direction on the infrastructure
improvements and the renaming of County Road E.
Back round
At the end of November 2007, the City instituted a moratorium on development and redevelopment
in the B2 Zoning District in order to create a long-term redevelopment vision for that area. The B-2
Zoning district includes those properties on County Road E between Highway 51 and Lexington
Avenue, on Connelly Avenue, and Pine Tree Drive.
The City Council appointed a 16 member steering committee comprised of residents and business
owners in April 2008 to help create the guiding plan. Over a series of steering committee meetings
and two community meetings from May to October 2008, the committee drafted the Guiding Plan
for the B2 District, which was approved by the City Council on October 27, 2008. The planning
process included evaluating existing conditions, creating a long-range redevelopment vision and
guiding principles, addressing transportation questions, evaluating market potential, reviewing land
uses, and drafting design guidelines. The Guiding Plan includes a range of recommendations,
including infrastructure improvements and general implementation program. The Guiding Plan for
the B2 District and all supporting material are available online at www.ci.arden-
hi l l s . mn. u s/b 2 di stri ct.
City of Arden Hills
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The City has made progress in implementing the more immediate portions of the Guiding Plan.
Additional discussion is needed regarding the proposed infrastructure improvements, including
funding and a timeline, if there is a consensus to move forward.
Project Implementation Status
Since the approval of the Guiding Plan, the City has implemented several aspects of the Guiding
Plan and is making progress on other parts:
• Comprehensive Plan — After acceptance of the Guiding Plan in October 2008, the 2030
Comprehensive Plan was amended to reference and be compatible with the Guiding Plan.
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan was preliminarily approved by the City Council in December
and is currently being reviewed by the Metropolitan Council.
• Zoning Code Desi Standards --- The Planning Commission and City Council adopted a
significant update to the design standards in the Zoning Code for the B2 District in
November 2008. The design standards were then extended to the B3 District in December
2008, which includes those properties along Lexington Avenue. These design standards
have been applied to the recent Arden Plaza redevelopment proposal, and they will apply to
future redevelopments.
• Pedestrian/Bike connection over Trunk Highway 51 — The existing pedestrian/bike
connection over Trunk Highway 51 provides just a couple feet of space for non -motorized
users and is considered substandard. The Guiding Plan called for a safer pedestrian/bike
connection over Trunk Highway 51, which had been discussed as being a cantilevered
addition to the existing bridge. After further review of the proposed modifications to the
bridge, it was determined that a cantilevered addition is not supported by Mn/DOT.
Furthermore, MnDOT does not have any plans to replace this bridge in the next 20 years.
However, the City is actively pursuing two other options.
o The first option involves "remodeling" the existing bridge deck to provide a five foot
wide sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. Staff recently met with MnDOT to
discuss the project scope and what Mn/DOT would require in a bridge
reconfiguration project such as this one. Once a construction estimate is put
together, this information will be provided to the City Council. The City would wait
to move forward on this remodeling until we know if option two is a possibility,
though construction could occur in 2010.
o The City also submitted an application for federal funding for the potential
construction of a new stand-alone bridge for a multi -use trail just north of the
existing bridge. If the City is able to fund the local match for this project and
receives federal funding, the construction timeline would be 2013/2014.
• Lake Johanna Boulevard name chane — The Guiding Plan proposed to rename the section
of Ramsey County Road E between Old Snelling and Lexington Avenue to Lake Johanna
Boulevard. It was felt that the Lake Johanna Boulevard name would be more distinctive to
Arden Hills and provide better way -finding for businesses and residents. According to
discussions with the City Attorney and Ramsey County Public Works, the City can change
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the name. When this idea was being discussed last fall, the Council had expressed an
interest in using Lake Johanna Boulevard as a supplementary or additional name to County
Road E. Unfortunately, it does not seem that we could use both names in an effective
manner. The City could put up a sign calling this section of County Road E, Lake Johanna
Boulevard, but that would not show up on any maps or work for mail. Essentially, a
supplementary name would not help people find this area. In order to be effective, the name
would need to officially change to Lake Johanna Boulevard. The Economic Development
Commission has expressed a strong interest in moving the renaming process forward. If the
Council wants to move forward with the name change, staff would put together a meeting
and communication process with the businesses and the residents along County Road E
between Old Snelling and Lexington Avenue. We would likely want to set a threshold of
support before changing the name (i.e. a minimum of 60 percent support from the properties
that would be affected).
Infrastructure Improvements and Visual Enhancements
The Guiding Plan described a number of improvements for the County Road E corridor between
Highway 51 and Lexington Avenue (see attached pages 4-7 to 4-9 of the Guiding Plan). The
improvements and enhancements included:
• Boulevard trees spaced at an average of 40 feet.
• A planted median that may include trees, shrubs, tall grasses and annual flowers.
• Decorative lighting at the automobile scale (on the existing bases, located 200 feet apart,
contemporary styling); potential extras: decorative lighting at the pedestrian scale located
approximately 50 to 70 feet apart)
• Benches and trash receptacles.
• A pair of new continuous concrete sidewalks (6 feet wide) with connections to adjacent
businesses.
• Bollards.
• Annual flowers (in beds or raised planters).
• Seasonal banners on the light poles.
• Striped or colored pedestrian crossings.
• Bus waiting shelters.
• A traffic signal system at the future intersection located between Pine Tree Drive and
Lexington Avenue.
• Replacement signals, arms and poles for the existing signal systems at (if necessary): the
eastern ramp terminals of Highway 51, Pine Tree Drive and Lexington Avenue.
• Relocating the electrical boxes to a less visible location or screening where feasible.
• Underground utility repair/replacement (water, sewer, stormwater).
The estimated cost of the project in the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is $2,500,000, which
includes engineering, construction, and anticipated cost increases over time. Some of the individual
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items could be removed from the project while others may be implemented by private
redevelopment or implemented in partnership with private development. Additionally, a portion of
the cost for the proposed new traffic signal between Pine Tree Drive and Lexington Avenue would
be offset by adjacent redevelopment. The details of the project can be adjusted during the design
phase.
The draft CIP Plan programs this project for design work in 2011 and construction in 2012, though
the timing can be adjusted based on the City Council's project priority and available funding. The
listed funding sources include the capital improvement fund, sanitary sewer utility, surface water
management utility, and water utility funds. This project is not a traditional street maintenance/
reconstruction program as it is a County road and an enhancement project. Since this project is
above and beyond the regular five year Pavement Management Program (PMP) that was discussed
at the June 2009 work session, revenue sources will need to be identified. In discussions with the
County, they have stated that they do not have the financial resources for the project. Revenue
sources could include assessments, bonding, and/or municipal state aid funds.
Discussion
In addition to any questions from the City Council, staff would like to discuss the following
questions to help this project move forward:
1. Lake Johanna Boulevard name change:
a. Is the Council interested in officially changing the name of County Road E to Lake
Johanna Boulevard? If so, staff will develop a process for discussing this change
with the adjacent property owners.
b. Is there a minimum threshold of property owners that must be agreement for the
renaming to move forward?
2. Infrastructure improvements:
a. Based on other City project needs, is the Council comfortable with the timing of the
project in the draft CIP? The draft timeline would have design work in 2011 and
construction in 2012.
b. What funding options should be explored? Bonding could be an option, possibly in
combination with assessments. If assessments are used for a portion of the project,
the percentage would likely be based on the existing Assessment Policy for
commercial properties.
3. Other questions?
Attachment
• Pages 4-7 to 4-9 of the Guiding Plan for the B2 District
City of Arden Hills
City Council Work Session —August 17, 2009
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Land Use and Public Improvements Plan
Traffic and Streetscape Improvements
Various street segments in and near the district should receive differing treatments in
plantings, lighting, furniture and banners, as follows:
County Road E
From the west side of the Minnesota Highway 51 bridge to at least Lexington Avenue,
this road should receive the highest level of Streetscape improvements. Elements should
include:
• Boulevard trees spaced at an average of 40 feet.
■ A planted median that may include trees, shrubs, tall grasses and annual
flowers.
■ Decorative lighting at the automobile scale (on the existing bases, located
200 feet apart, contemporary styling); optional extra: decorative lighting
at the pedestrian scale located approximately 50 to 70 feet apart)
■ Benches and trash receptacles.
■ A pair of new continuous concrete sidewalks (6 feet wide) with
connections to adjacent businesses.
■ Bollards.
■ Annual flowers (in beds or raised planters).
• Seasonal banners on the light poles.
■ Striped or colored pedestrian crossings.
■ Bus waiting shelters.
■ A traffic signal system at the future intersection located between
Pine Tree Drive and Lexington Avenue.
• Replacement signals, arms and poles for the existing signal systems at (all
optional): the eastern ramp terminals of Highway 51, Pine Tree Drive and
Lexington Avenue.
■ Relocating the electrical boxes to a less visible location or screening
where feasible.
■ A pedestrian and bicyclist connection over Highway 51, which may be a
separate bridge, a new bridge, or an addition to the existing bridge.
Fiqure 10 Streetscape Cross Section
i
SLpEWALK BOULEVARD
BIKE DRIVE DRIVE: LEFT. TURN LANE DRIVE DRIVE. BIKE BOULEVARD 51f]NAI.K
I NE LANE LANE ( LANE. LANE
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2 5' 11 �-11'.�.r 17--�--�-•-11'�11' �LANE'�,�'�«.�
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88'. RAIN
The two "end caps" and the Pine Tree Drive
intersection "centerpiece" should be accentuated
by color, intensity, lighting and signage.
Improvements should include irrigation for the
boulevards and the median plus electrical outlets
for winter lighting. Light fixtures should have
"cut-offs" to concentrate the beam and reduce
glare.
Ideally, this streetscape improvement should be carried a short distance into Shoreview
so as to make a smooth transition with the changing nature of the road and land use as
well as to emphasize the intersection as an important landmark or node.
Left -Turns only at Signalized Intersections: Importantly, this improvement
program calls for building a raised, landscaped median that would eliminate left -turn
movements except at the signalized intersections at the Highway 51 ramps, Pine Tree
Drive, a planned new intersection between Pine Tree Drive and Lexington Avenue, and
Lexington Avenue. Additional engineering, traffic study, and review may be needed
prior to implementation.
Street trees with new buildings brought close to a new Lake Johanna Boulevard should be
used to create attractive spaces for pedestrians and a stronger community connection to the
corridor.
Land Use and Public Improvements Plan
Add a supplementary name to County Road E in Arden Hills: Lake Johanna
Boulevard, which is the local name used on County Road 149 west of Minnesota
Highway 51. This additional name will help identify the road as a local facility with a
connection to a nearby natural feature and thereby personalize it. The County Road E
name could still be used by residents and businesses where needed.
Pine Tree Drive and Harriet Avenue
The strectscape elements of County Road E should be carried south on Pine Tree Drive to
the Hunters Park entrance but at a reduced level. This approach would help unify the
district but indicate the secondary nature of Pine Tree Drive. The residential nature of
Harriet Avenue should be protected with the addition of street trees and a sidewalk on
one side of the street.
Lexington Avenue
A comprehensive strectscape improvement program should be undertaken for Lexington
Avenue from north of I-694 to some point south of the district. Request that Ramsey
County install sidewalks, curbing, trees and more attractive lighting along Lexington
Avenue from 1-694 to some point south of the study area.
Cooperation from the City of Shoreview and Ramsey County will be essential. The
design objective in this corridor should be tuned to the higher speed and volume of auto
traffic, the large parking areas along the road and the large-scale retail business
environment.
Minnesota Highway 51 and Bridge
This state highway already has a degree of landscaping on its valley slopes. Emphasis
here should be on announcing access to the County Road E district and the Lake Johanna
parks.
Ramsey County should be encouraged to rebuild the bridge over Minnesota Highway 51
with accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists as soon as possible. Alternatively, a
separate bridge or an addition to the existing bridge should be built for non -motorized
traffic.
30 October Guiding Plan for the B2 District 4.9