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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-14-WS ,It �- lEN�HILLS Approved: November 10, 2014 �I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 29,2014 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the special City Council work session at 6:02 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung, and Ed Werner Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City Planner Ryan Streff; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; and City Clerk Amy Dietl 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. Thumb Road/CR I Design Review Public Works Director Maurer stated that the Kimley Horn infrastructure team was present to discuss the Thumb Road/County Road I intersection preliminary design, which is the final item in the first round of design discussions. Jon Horn, Kimley Horn, recalled the discussion the Council had on September 8t" regarding TCAAP roadway improvements with respect to the spine road. He reviewed the proposed location of both the spine road and the thumb road. He indicated that a roundabout was being proposed for the intersection at County Road I. He explained that a roundabout was being proposed as the best way to deal with the five legs of traffic converge at this intersection. Councilmember Holden asked if the thumb road would be a County road. Public Works Director Maurer reported that this was still being discussed. Mayor Grant questioned how the thumb road would be funded. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 2 Public Works Director Maurer stated that negotiations continue but he believed that Red River would be paying for roads on the thumb and the County would be funding roads north of the thumb. Beth Engum, Ramsey County, explained that what Mr. Maurer stated was the initial proposal, but that the details have not yet be finalized. Further discussion ensued regarding the County Road I intersection. Mr. Horn provided comment on the meeting he had with representatives from the City of Shoreview regarding the proposed roundabout at County Road 1. City Administrator Klaers requested that the Council further discuss the spine road location. Mr. Horn reviewed the potential locations for the spine road and noted that moving the southern section of the road would be very challenging due to the existing natural wetlands. The Council discussed the grading of the TCAAP site along with the potential location of the spine road. City Administrator Klaers reported that at some point in the near future, the City would have to finalize the location for the spine road to allow land use and site planning to move forward. B. Cleveland/CR D Gateway Sign Public Works Director Maurer stated that per City Council direction, staff has obtained a quote from Fourth Dimension for a Gateway sign to be constructed at the northeast corner of Cleveland and County Road D. He noted that this sign would be placed in a small easement on the property located at the northeast corner of the intersection adjacent to bituminous trails on each side. This location makes it impractical to light the sign from an external source as the light would likely be damaged or at least covered by plowing operations. Therefore, the recommendation is for an internally lighted sign. Public Works Director Maurer explained that internally lighting the sign would require that it have a slightly different appearance than the two existing signs, although it would be constructed with generally the same materials. He noted that the area where the City logo and name appear would be made from green colored aluminum while Plexiglas would allow the light to shine through. He also stated that the easement in that location restricts the sign height to 4 1/2 feet by 20 feet in length. However, proportionally, the recommendation when using a 4 1/2 foot height, given the general sign shape, is to limit the length to 7.3 feet. Public Works Director Maurer reviewed the $10,030 quote for the manufacture and placement of the sign as well as graphic rendering prepared by Fourth Dimension showing the proposed sign. A photo of the existing gateway signs was reviewed for comparison purposes. Additional costs for the full installation of the sign include electrical service, curbing around the sign, and Public Works' staff time for preparing the site and placing landscape rock inside the curbing. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 3 Staff was looking for concurrence from the Council to proceed with the installation of this gateway sign. Councilmember Holden reported that she visited this intersection and believed that it was already well-lit and she did not believe it was worth the extra expense to light the sign. Councilmember Holmes expressed concern with the proposed reduced size of the sign. She supported the sign being lit. Mayor Grant didn't believe the sign logo or City brand should be altered even though the sign size was reduced. He suggested that the gateway sign be lit. Councilmember McClung opposed the gateway sign and its installation. Councilmember Werner supported the proposed intersection for a lit gateway sign. Mayor Grant questioned if this gateway sign could be put in the ground yet this fall. Public Works Director Maurer anticipated that the work could be done yet this fall. The Council directed staff to bring this item for formal Council approval at the regular meeting on October 13th. At this time, the majority of the Council agreed that plans should proceed for an internally lit gateway sign at the intersection of Cleveland and County Road D, with the correct tree location in the City logo. Mayor Grant adjourned the special work session at 6:58 p.m. to a regular meeting of the City Council with the understanding that the special work session would reconvene after the regular meeting. Mayor Grant reconvened the special work session at 8:58 p.m. C. TCAAP Zoning [Chapters 6-7 & Definitions (Chapter 4)] Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the Council heard discussion from residential developers at their work session on September 22, 2014. She requested City Council feedback on Chapters 6 and 7, particularly with regards to setbacks, lot sizes, and other development criteria. A spreadsheet comparing setbacks, building frontage, and building height requirements across the districts was reviewed. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that based on City Council discussion at previous meetings, Chapters 1-2 and 4-5 were currently being revised. Updated copies, as well as the updated comment tracker, should be available for discussion at an upcoming work session. Staff is working with the City and JDA Attorneys on revisions to Chapter 3 which will be discussed by the City Council on October 13, 2014. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 4 Discussion ensued regarding the differences between pedestrian friendly and pedestrian priority routes. Councilmember Holden suggested that benches be placed throughout the Town Center area, and that all front yard setbacks within TCAAP be at least 10 feet to allow for utility placement and proper snow storage. She also suggested that the code remain consistent regarding encroachments. She wanted to see oak trees planted within TCAAP as this would join this development to existing neighborhoods in Arden Hills. Councilmember Holden did not support the proposed 20 foot setback from the Rice Creek Regional Park. She believed that this should be reevaluated and increased. Councilmember Holmes suggested that staff reassess the alignment of the neighborhood roadways to ensure that there are homes on both sides of the proposed streets. She asked if staff had any information on how the City would be obtaining land for City parks. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that park dedication would be discussed with the City Attorney at the special work session on October 131h. Councilmember McClung questioned how the City would negotiate with the County or JDA for parks. He wanted to make sure the City protected itself and its interest in future parks. Mayor Grant asked staff to investigate this matter further and report back to Council at a future meeting. Councilmember Holden suggested that the code address building, housing colors, and sight lines. She did not want to have homeowners viewing rooflines throughout the new neighborhoods. She was in favor of landscaping requirements being written into the code as well. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the special City Council work sessi at 9:50 p.m. Amy Dietl David Grant City Clerk Mayor It' ,--AEN HILLS Request for Special City Council Work Session A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers. Topics for meeting: A. Thumb Road/CR I Design Review B. Zoning Definitions(Chapter 4) C. Site Development and Design Standards(Chapters 6-7) D. Gateway Sign Requested Date: 09/29/14 Requested time: Immediately following the special closed City Council work session. Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of person(s) making request: M4; 11;44i 09/24/14 Mayor or Councilmember Date Councilmember Date f -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: 11 / �2y / I y Date meeting to be held: 09/29/14 Time of meeting: Immediately following the special closed City Council work session. Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. �1 /may / iti Signature ofity Clerk Date City of Arden Hills * 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills,MN * 55112-5743 Phone 651-792-7800 * Fax 651-634-5137 www.cityofardenhills.org