Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-05-15-WS lt ,AREN HILLS Approved: February 9, 2015 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 5,2015 6:30 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 6:30 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung, and Councilmember-elect Robert Woodburn Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; 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. TCAAP Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that representatives from Ramsey County were present to discuss the County's ideas and concerns for the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC). Heather Worthington, Ramsey County, explained that she wanted to speak with the Council tonight regarding infrastructure, density, and investment turnout prior to the meeting scheduled for January 201h. She explained that she would have better numbers to give the Council regarding infrastructure costs, market estimates for land sales, and return on investment information at that meeting. She appreciated that the Council invited the County to the table and for allowing an open discussion regarding the TCAAP project. Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman reviewed the County's goals for the TCAAP site. He stated that the County wanted to see the site cleaned up, good paying jobs established, an increase in the County's tax base, and enough density to support transit. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 5, 2015 2 Mayor Grant commented that the City would not be able to assess some of those goals, particularly the transit matter. However, he understood that transit would benefit TCAAP, the County, and the entire region. Councilmember McClung wanted to see transit brought to TCAAP as well, but he believed that the Metropolitan Council may have ownership of this issue. Ms.Worthington encouraged the Council to have the Master Plan be flexible enough to allow for enough density to support transit in the future, as the development continues to grow. Mayor Grant believed that the City should partner with its neighboring communities when addressing transit concerns. He anticipated that transit would hinge more on the number of jobs on TCAAP rather than the housing density. Ms. Worthington stated that she understood this point, but noted that the Met Council has a set of measurements to determine how and when to extend transit. She reported that some of these measurements will evaluate residential development. She believed that a case could be made to encourage the Met Council to consider the site beyond residential development numbers. Councilmember Holden questioned what the perceived "temporary impasse" was between the County and the City. Ms. Worthington stated that she appreciated this question and believed there was a communication breakdown between the County and the City Council. She wanted to be ensured that the Council was receiving the all necessary information from the County. Mayor Grant thanked Commissioner Huffinan for attending this evening and encouraged him to attend future Council meetings and work sessions. Mayor Grant directed the Council's attention to the Energy Resilience Advisory Board's (ERAB) zoning recommendations. Associate Planner Bachler reviewed the recommendations and requested comments from the Council. The Council agreed to add the word"Resilience" at the end of Section 1.1 of the TRC. Councilmember Holden questioned what the City would be asking developers to do by requiring "quality, adaptability, resiliency, efficiency, along with sustainability" in the Arden Hills housing stock. Associate Planner Bachler commented that the language would convey to the development community that when projects are brought forward, the Council wants to see them incorporate resiliency and efficiency into their designs. He believed that the language also conveyed the Council's goals through the TRC. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 5, 2015 3 Councilmember McClung feared that the proposed language would be misinterpreted. He suggested that the City's intention be fully and clearly conveyed in the TRC to ensure there are no misunderstandings by future developers. Mayor Grant didn't believe the proposed language worked either. He suggested that the term "energy efficiency"be considered. Councilmember Holden understood that the County would be offering extra points to TCAAP developments that were resilient and energy efficient. Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested that the word "energy" be placed in front of efficiency to create some clarity on the language and to address the Council's intention. The Council supported this recommendation. Further discussion ensued regarding advanced energy resiliency, efficiency and educational plans. JDA Attorney Mike Norton commented that the educational value of each development would be subjective. He believed that the Joint Development Authority (JDA) would want language and documentation that was more objective. Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested that this item read, "the demonstration of advanced energy resilience", which may have an educational value. The Council supported this language amendment. Councilmember Holmes asked if the County had an evaluation process in place, or scorecard, for rating future projects. JDA Attorney Mike Norton did not believe that anything had been drafted to date, but understood that this matter would have to be addressed. Councilmember Holden wanted to see something mentioned within the TRC to address the amount of glass surfaces in order to protect the birds within the wildlife area. She also wanted high-efficiency street lighting required. Community Development Director Hutmacher reviewed the amendments that staff had made to the TRC over the past weeks and asked for comments or questions from the Council. Councilmember Holden discussed Section 5.0 and suggested that this section refer to "light" industrial uses. She recommended that in Section 5.0 that commercial off-street parking not be allowed in the Neighborhood and Neighborhood Transition Districts. Associate Planner Bachler explained that the reference to off-street parking being allowed in the Neighborhood zoning district should be removed. Staff then discussed the various classes of industrial uses. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 5, 2015 4 Councilmember Holden requested further information on how bicycle parking would be addressed within TCAAP. She suggested that the Council further discuss clear height for industrial uses and recommended that this height not exceed 20 or 22 feet. Mayor Grant expressed concern with TCAAP having too many warehouse uses, noting that these uses would not have as many jobs as office uses. Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested that the clear height limit be closer to 24 feet. She believed that the proposed language within the TRC would protect the City from large distribution centers. City Administrator Klaers commented that if the Council mandated that clear height be built below 24 feet, it would discourage developers from doing projects. Councilmember McClung and Councilmember Holmes were willing to support a 25 foot clear height as long as the 10% flexibility was not allowed. Mayor Grant agreed to this height and language as well. Councilmember Holden discussed the frontage setbacks on page 30 and requested clarification from staff. Public Works Director Maurer reported that the standard setbacks would be 15 feet; five feet for snow storage, five feet for sidewalk, and five feet for hardscape in front of buildings. Councilmember Holmes asked if the utilities would be under the hardscape. Public Works Director Maurer indicated that gas, water, sewer, fiber optic and electric would be located under the hardscape. He stated that this would be the only available location for the utilities in the Town Center area. Councilmember Holden inquired if three feet of screening would provide enough space. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that the three feet would be enough for a decorative fence and some shrubs. Further discussion ensued regarding setbacks, sidewalks, curb cuts, and primary/secondary entrances for the Town Center retail area. Councilmember-elect Woodburn asked if the height of spires would be limited within TCAAP. He recommended that a standard be set and that they be no more than 24 %2 feet. Community Development Director Hutmacher reviewed the language within the TRC that addresses spires. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 5, 2015 5 Mayor Grant recommended that staff review the language regarding church spires to set a maximum height to be 24 feet above the building fagade. He requested further information on the quality building materials that were included within the TRC. Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed the building materials required within the TRC. It was noted that tip-up panels are allowed if the veneer finish met the City's exterior materials standards. Councilmember Holden asked when the Council would receive an updated zoning land use map. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that she would be meeting with Kimley-Horn later this week and would be discussing the spine road realignment and a revised land use map. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES Councilmember McClung reported that January 9th was the last day to RSVP for the legislative meeting on January 15th. He explained that this was a productive event and encouraged the entire Council to attend. Councilmember Holden requested that staff send the developers who provided feedback to the Council `thank you' notes for assisting the City with the TRC. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the special City Council work session at 8:55 p.m. �l Amy Dietl David Grant City Clerk Mayor