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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-14-WS 'It ,SIZEN HILLS Approved: January 12, 2015 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 1,2014 5:30 P.M. -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 5:30 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung, and Ed Werner Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City and Associate Planner Matthew Bachler 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. TCAAP Public Works Director Maurer stated that Beth Engum from Ramsey County and Jon Horn from Kimley Horn, along with several of his infrastructure team, were in attendance to discuss a number of TCAAP infrastructure items. These items included: 1. The County Road H/35W Interchange Layout. 2. Storm Drainage and Wetland Issues. 3. Spine road and thumb road. 4. Landscape Architecture/Urban Design Concepts for the spine road/thumb road. Beth Engum, Ramsey County, discussed the proposed plans for the County Road H/35W interchange, noting the changes that have been made since the Council previously reviewed this matter. She reviewed the cost of the interchange and how it would be funded. Mayor Grant questioned if the proposed intersection would handle 28,000 average daily traffic (ADT). ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—DECEMBER 1, 2014 2 Ms. Engum stated that this was the case. She explained that staff looked at the traffic needs for this intersection for the next 20 years when designing the interchange. She discussed how the roundabout would manage traffic during peak hours. She reported that the design considered the full build out of TCAAP. Councilmember McClung asked if there were any roundabouts in Minnesota with two lanes and five legs, similar to what was being proposed for this intersection. Ms. Engum was uncertain if there were any in Minnesota, but she said that she would report back to the Council on this matter with additional information. Mayor Grant questioned how much additional traffic could be added to the intersection without failure. Ms. Engum did not have a specific traffic count in mind and provided further comment on how the roundabout would manage the traffic at this intersection. She reported that she could provide the Council with additional information at a future meeting. Mayor Grant stated that he would like further confirmation from the County that the proposed roundabout would be successful given the fact that roundabouts are relatively new in Minnesota. Councilmember Holmes asked about access to TCAAP from Highway 10. Public Works Director Maurer stated that there will be no directed access to TCAAP from Highway 10. Vehicles on Highway 10 would have to access TCAAP by way of the County Road H intersection. Councilmember McClung expressed concern regarding the small scale of the roundabout. He explained that Minnesotans are not familiar with roundabouts and he feared how traffic would back up because of this. Ms. Engum commented that she would provide the Council with a full-scale rendering of the roundabout and believed that this would provide further assurance of how the roundabout would function for traffic at this interchange. She understood that there is a learning curve with roundabouts and she anticipated that public involvement through the planning process would help. Mayor Grant inquired if a 53' semi-truck would be able to navigate.the proposed roundabout. Public Works Director Maurer stated that this was the case. He further discussed how a larger truck would maneuver through the roundabout. Councilmember Holden questioned if the proposed roundabout was new for the United States. Ms. Engum explained that Minnesota was actually behind the rest of the United States with regard to the use of roundabouts. Councilmember Holmes asked if the roundabout could be made larger for the comfort of drivers. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—DECEMBER 1, 2014 3 Ms. Engum commented that larger roundabouts increase the speed of traffic. She stated that roundabouts do tend to improve safety with slowed traffic. Councilmember Holden inquired what the speed limit would be within the roundabout. Ms. Engum stated that the speed limit would be 20 miles per hour or less. Councilmember Werner discussed a roundabout in Mankato and believed that it served the traffic in the area well. Councilmember McClung verified that the only item that may push the interchange project over budget for the MnDOT provided bridge aesthetics is lighting for the bridge. Ms. Engum stated that this was the case as lighting is expensive and because the bridge would have pedestrian trails on each side. She then discussed the upcoming open house at the Ramsey County Public Works Building. John Horn, Kimley Horn, reviewed grading, stormwater, and road design issues for TCAAP with the Council. He provided the Council with a design update and discussed what could be accomplished within the natural resources corridor. He discussed how the site currently drains and noted that these conditions would remain in place. He stated that the site currently has 14+ acres of wetlands. The various jurisdictions over TCAAP were noted. He commented that the DNR and C of E (US Army Corps of Engineers)has jurisdiction over the wetlands. Councilmember Holden questioned how storm ponds would be sized. Mr. Horn reported that all ponds would be sized to handle a 100-year storm. Further discussion ensued regarding the size, edging and location of wetlands, rain gardens and stormwater ponds. Examples from other communities were shown in a PowerPoint presentation. Mayor Grant recommended that the blue areas on the map be clearly marked between water, wetlands, or park land. Councilmember Holmes requested that the storm pond grading be gradual and not steep. She wanted residents to be able to get close to the water, without having a steep edge. Councilmember McClung discussed the waterways at Centennial Lakes. He requested that staff provide more pictures for the Council to review. He indicated support for a natural edge along the drainage areas. He believed that a meandering creek between two waterways was a desirable amenity. Mayor Grant recommended that the creek area be rocky to ensure that it did not become muddy, swampy and stagnant. He questioned if pond connections would create problems. Councilmember Holmes supported the use of rain gardens in medians as a practical solution for managing water runoff. She did not want the wetland areas to appear like ditches. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—DECEMBER 1, 2014 4 Councilmember Holden asked if the recreational area to the south was reduced in size, if an additional pond could be added. Mr. Horn stated that this may be a possibility and his team would evaluate it and report back to the Council. Councilmember McClung suggested that this area be used for mitigation and that the water feature be extended into the center part of TCAAP as this would drive up the land value surrounding the water feature. He reported that he would not ever support a lighted ballfield in this area of TCAAP. Councilmember Holmes questioned who would pay for the water features and water amenities. Public Works Director Maurer reported that Kimley Horn could pull together some costs for the different water areas leading up to the feasibility study. He stated that some of the expenses may fall to the City while others would benefit the future developments and therefore fall to the County as landowner. Mayor Grant discussed the City's obligation to manage the stormwater on the site. He did not want to see the wetlands or storm ponds filled with cattails. Mr. Horn provided comment on the current design and alignment of the spine road from Highway 96 to County Road H. He reported that this roadway was approximately 1.5 miles in length. He discussed the thumb road design as well. Mayor Grant asked if the realignment of the spine road was being driven by the County or the City. Mr. Horn stated that this was being driven by the developer(Ramsey County). Councilmember Holden discussed the plans for the current corporate campus on the west side of the spine road,noting that a 20-acre site was also needed for retail development. Public Works Director Maurer commented that if the spine road was realigned, the site would have 20 acres of retail on the west side and that the land uses for the east side would need to be re- evaluated. Councilmember Holden questioned if the City had a real say in the location of the spine road. She discussed the importance of the Town Center area and suggested that this remain a priority within the development. She recommended that the land uses on the east side of the spine road remain intact. Councilmember Holmes asked what the speed limit would be for the spine road. Public Works Director Maurer anticipated that the speed limit would not be any more than 40 miles per hour and probably less. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—DECEMBER 1, 2014 5 Mayor Grant asked if the Town Center area could be flipped to be adjacent to the new retail and run along the Spine road. He stated that it may be appealing to drive in and view retail on both sides of the Spine road. Councilmember Holden commented that this would take away the opportunity to have residential properties right on the water feature. She questioned if the 20-acre parcel would be large enough to meet the needs of the corporate user. Mayor Grant believed that a future developer would make this work. He stated that the City could make the new road realignment of the spine road work. Councilmember Holmes wanted to see that commercial developments on TCAAP be successful and for this reason, she believed the realignment was necessary. Councilmember McClung indicated that any large retail developer that comes to the site will want at least 20 acres contiguous, especially if adjacent to a high quality corporate campus. He supported the realignment of the spine road. Councilmember Holden did not support the realignment. Councilmember Werner suggested that there be some level of flexibility in the spine road. Mr. Horn reviewed the proposed access road into the thumb. It was noted that this roadway would be two lanes based on the current alignment. Public Works Director Maurer discussed the expense and jurisdiction of the thumb road. He commented that it was his position that this would be a County road. Mayor Grant believed that the driving force behind construction of the thumb road was financial. Further discussion ensued regarding the thumb road design and the timing of construction. Tom Harrington, Kimley Horn, explained he was a landscape architect. He provided comment on the grading and landscape plans for the TCAAP site in further detail. He discussed the look, feel, and character of how the TCAAP roadways could be designed, along with the gateway entrances. He recommended that the Council consider having something distinctive and strong at the gateway entrances and roundabout. He recommended that the crossings over water be highlighted. Councilmember McClung questioned how far apart the light poles would be spaced. Mr. Harrington estimated that the lighting would be spaced somewhere between 100 and 150 feet apart. He reported that the main issue would be safety for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Councilmember Holmes asked if the proposed landscaping plan fit with the proposed Zoning Code. She was concerned that the proposed TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) was too specific. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—DECEMBER 1, 2014 6 Associate Planner Bachler believed that the proposed plans were accurate and aligned with the TRC. Councilmember Holden questioned how the curb side planters could be made more desirable year round. Mr. Harrington stated that picking the correct plant materials would be key for the plantings within the Town Center planters. Councilmember Holden wanted to see the spine and thumb roads built to last. Public Works Director Maurer suggested that the thumb and spine roads landscaping and lighting would be maintained by the City. Councilmember Holden asked who would be responsible for the cost of the lighting along the thumb and spine roads. Public Works Director Maurer commented that the City would be paying the long-term energy costs, with the exception of the intersections. Councilmember Holden suggested that the roadways have lighted walkways and benches for residents to enjoy. Councilmember McClung noted that he supported the proposed landscaping plan. He believed that staff was heading in the right direction. Mayor Grant wanted some level of variability between Town Center and the neighborhoods. This would allow a certain level of character to be established between the different areas of the TCAAP site. He indicated that he liked what he was seeing in the landscape designs provided by Kimley Horn and thanked them for their efforts. Associate Planner Bachler reviewed the sign standards in Section 11 of the TRC with the Council. He explained that these standards were last reviewed by the Council in October. He discussed the proposed regulations for monument, temporary, and building signs. Councilmember Holden asked if temporary sign requests would come before the Council or be approved by staff. Associate Planner Bachler reported that staff was recommending that temporary sign requests be managed at the staff level. This would offer additional flexibility for local business owners. He indicated that temporary sign permits would only be issued for a period of 30 days, but that a permit could be extended with a new application. He noted that the City would be in charge of the signs. Councilmember Holden requested that the sign standards indicate that mounted menu signs are only allowed as temporary signage. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—DECEMBER 1, 2014 7 Mayor Grant questioned how staff interpreted the term "shielded LED"within the Sign Code. Associate Planner Bachler explained that the City Code requires all lighting to be shielded. This means that the band of LED lights has to be concealed and not visible. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES Councilmember Holden questioned what was happening with Round Lake. City Administrator Klaers reported that staff recently toured the lake with a representative of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and that additional information will be distributed to the Council. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the special City Council work session at 9:01 p.m. Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor It' ­-ADEN 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. TCAAP Requested Date: 12/01/14 Requested time: 5:30 pm Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of person(s) making request: G1/(1 ;1A244i 11/25/14 Mayor or Councilmember Date Councilmember Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: t t / -is / )y Date meeting to be held: 12/01/14 Time of meeting: 5:30 pm Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. Signature of City(jerk 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