HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-14-WS '!Tt
�-SIQEN HILLS
Approved: December 15, 2014
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 17,2014
5:00 P.M. -ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council work
session at 5:05 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; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler;
City Planner Ryan Streff; and City Clerk Amy Dietl
1. AGENDA ITEMS
A. TCAAP Workshop with Gateway Planning
Community Development Director Hutmacher stated the third TCAAP zoning workshop with
Gateway Planning would be held this evening. She explained Brad Lonberger, Gateway Planning,
will present revisions to Chapters 8, 9 and 10 along with Attachments 1, 3, 5, and 6. Mr.
Lonberger will also review the comment tracking spreadsheet and request City Council feedback
on open items.
Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that at a previous meeting, the Mayor
requested that Gateway Planning provide examples of other development projects where form-
based codes were used. Project sheets for several developments were included in the agenda
packet. Mr. Lonberger will be able to provide additional information on these development
projects and describe their relevance to TCAAP. She noted Kimley Horn has prepared a layout of
a spine road realignment that would allow 20 acres of retail and a large office site west of the
spine road. The realignment removes the following land uses east of the spine road:
• Retail— 170,000 SF (3.90 Acres)
• Multiuse/Town Center—2,800 SF (0.06 Acres)
• Residential/Neighborhood Transition— 105,000 SF (2.41 Acres)
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 17, 2014 2
Staff requested City Council feedback on the proposed realignment.
Brad Lonberger, Gateway Planning, reviewed Chapters 8 through 10 in detail with the Council,
along with the circulation plan.
Councilmember Holden questioned the distance between the curb and buildings in the Town
street section.
Mr. Lonberger explained there would be 25 feet from the curb to the building at the intersection.
At a non-intersection point,there would be 17 feet from the curb line to a building front.
Councilmember Holmes asked about the three different zones in the Town Center between the
street and the buildings. She questioned what was private land verse public land, and what areas
were right of way verse the setback areas, and what uses were allowed in which zones
Further discussion ensued regarding setbacks and the public right of way area.
Councilmember Holmes expressed concern that TCAAP had no designated bike lanes.
Public Works Director Maurer reviewed the location of several bike trails and trail connections
through TCAAP. He indicated that bikes would still be allowed to safely ride on shoulders,
neighborhood streets and trails. He discussed the street design guidelines that would be used
within TCAAP.
Mayor Grant asked how staff came up with the 25% screening for the commercial zoning
district. He believed this percentage to be high.
Mr. Lonberger indicated this percentage closely aligned with the City's current standards and
noted all parking would have to be screened.
Mayor Grant questioned the proper level of permeable surface for the large flex office district.
Mr. Lonberger stated he did not typically code in permeable area, but rather encourages green
and open spaces. He encouraged the Council to keep the green/open space at 20 to 25%.
Councilmember Holden requested staff provide a definition of urban as referred to in the code.
Mr. Lonberger commented this referred to a walkable community and noted the term "urban"
could be removed from the code.
Mayor Grant addressed the 10% permitted adjustment rule within the code. He requested a
language change regarding new building materials.
Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed this rule in further detail with the
Council. She hoped to have final comments from the Council to allow Chapter 9 be approved in
February.
Councilmember Holden questioned how the City would require an HOA or townhome
association to properly maintain their roadways.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 17, 2014 3
Public Works Director Maurer stated this has been discussed by staff and many developments
are creating Master Associations for the maintenance of medians, lighting, trees and sidewalks.
He reviewed the area that would be required for snow storage and publicly accessible sidewalks.
It was noted that all sidewalks within the neighborhoods would be privately maintained.
Councilmember Holden inquired if the screening described within the code was year round.
Mr. Lonberger commented the language within the code refers to screening as evergreen or
opaque year round.
Mayor Grant asked how he could determine who had made specific comments within the
comment tracker.
Community Development Director Hutmacher explained Ramsey County had submitted their
comments in a consolidated manner.
Public Works Director Maurer recommended that any concerns regarding comments from
Ramsey County be brought to Heather Worthington.
Mayor Grant requested that a name be provided for all County comments in order to allow the
Council to address the proper source.
Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated the Council could request that the
County speak at a future meeting or continue to provide their comments in writing.
Mayor Grant asked if staff had made any progress on the proposed color palette for homes
within TCAAP.
Mr. Lonberger explained staff has been reviewing these regulations and wanted to make sure the
correct wording was selected. He reported this language would be included in Chapters 6 and 7
of the TRC.
Mayor Grant did not envision a hospital on the TCAAP site, but recommended that a
neighborhood clinic be allowed.
Councilmember Holden discussed tilt-up walls. She did not believe that veneering would
improve the look of tilt-up walls. She recommended this material be further discussed by the
Council to ensure these walls had windows.
Community Development Director Hutmacher explained the current code would require
windows.
The Council further discussed the views within TCAAP, its neighborhoods and how to protect
sight lines.
Councilmember Holden recommended staff speak with area developers to ensure that views and
sight lines were preserved.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 17, 2014 4
Mr. Lonberger explained that over time the tree canopy would assist in improving sight lines.
He indicated he would investigate this matter further.
Mayor Grant asked what the grade change was from the highest to lowest point on TCAAP.
Public Works Director Maurer stated the site drops approximately 200 feet from its highest to
lowest point.
Councilmember McClung discussed the importance of connecting TCAAP to the rest of Arden
Hills both for cars and pedestrians.
Councilmember Holmes supported the language that would allow for a garage larger than 24
feet for an estate type house.
Mr. Lonberger provided comment on the sign standards.
Councilmember McClung encouraged staff to consider sign size and placement given the speed
of traffic along Highway 10 versus Highway 96.
Councilmember Holden did not want to see faded plastic signs within TCAAP. She did not
fully support the use of sandwich boards either.
Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed the newly proposed alignment of the
Spine Road and how the realignment would impact the surrounding neighborhood.
Public Works Director Maurer reported the spine road realignment would be discussed again
by the Council on December 1St. He indicated that the County supported the proposed spine road
realignment. He explained that work was still needed on how the intersections from the Town
Center streets would meet the spine road.
2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES
Councilmember Werner stated he would be attending a PMP meeting on November 18th at 5:30
p.m.
Councilmember McClung noted he would be attendin,§ the Ramsey County League of Local
Government Annual Meeting on Thursday,November 20t at The Mermaid.
Councilmember Holmes requested comment from staff on the letter regarding the recycling
contract.
City Planner Streff stated there was some concern with how the haulers had reviewed and
interpreted the RFP and the options available to the City. He indicated the City Attorney would
be reviewing this matter and reporting back to the City Council.
Councilmember Holden requested that Freeway Park be addressed by staff as there were too
many cars being parked there.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 17, 2014 5
Public Works Director Maurer indicated this issue has been addressed by staff. He noted that a
temporary parking permit was allowed at Freeway Park for the property immediately adjacent to
the park that was having some driveway work completed this fall.
Mayor Grant discussed a recent Money Magazine article.
ADJOURN
Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council work session at 7:59 .m.
r
Amy Dietl David Grant
City Clerk Mayor