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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-30-15-WS 'It -- RDEN HILLS Approved: April 27, 2015 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 30, 2015 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 Robert Woodburn 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. Rice Creek Commons Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that Kimley-Horn has completed work on the first part of the Fit Test. The methodologies and assumptions used for Option I was discussed with the Council. Michael Lamb, Kimley-Horn, reviewed the findings within the first part of the Fit Test. He then discussed the design and development study. He noted that the Fit Test would be completed in two parts and provided comment on the items that would be addressed in the second step. Councilmember Holden requested further clarification on what step two would entail. Mr. Lamb stated that this step would closely review the redevelopment code from a development perspective. He indicated that he would provide feedback on his review of the Code. Councilmember McClung stated that he was more interested in seeing the results of step two. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 30, 2015 2 Mr. Lamb provided further comment on how the two options would work together subjectively to assist the County and City in planning for Rice Creek Commons. He reported that the Fit Test was focused on market potential, economic development, job growth, and environmental stewardship. These factors were the driving factors for the County. He discussed development prospects within the metro area. He reviewed the proposed lot sizes for residential neighborhoods. He summarized housing trends and family sizes and how this would impact the housing market. Mr. Lamb stated that after reviewing his Fit Test Option 1 findings, he believed that the Creek Neighborhood could yield 111 total units on the 41 acres, which would be roughly 2.7 units per acre. He stated the Hill Neighborhood would have 29 NB 1 lots, 80 NB2 lots and 85 N133 lots with 29 twinhomes, which would yield 223 total units. He noted that the park in the Hill Neighborhood has been shifted slightly to allow for lots to be fronted along the park. Mr. Lamb discussed the Town Neighborhood. Option 1 included 680 multi-family and row house units in the Town Center District. An additional 304 attached and detached townhomes were shown in the Neighborhood Transition 1 and 2 Districts. The retail mixed use area included 40,000 square feet of retail. The total number of units proposed for the entire Rice Creek Commons development in Option 1 was 1318. Councilmember Holmes asked for clarification on the housing numbers. Mr. Lamb reviewed his Fit Test findings in further detail with the Council. Mayor Grant clarified that this was one scenario that was being presented but that it was not necessarily the scenario that would be chosen. Mr. Lamb stated that this was the case noting that he was trying to provide an option that would provide the highest yield. Councilmember McClung asked if the proposed row houses would serve as a buffer next to the multi-family housing. Mr. Lamb indicated that the row houses would serve as a buffer. Mayor Grant was concerned that the Fit Test did not include property tax values, given the fact that this was a concern to the County. Councilmember McClung requested that phase two of the Fit Test include this information. Mayor Grant questioned how the City and County would reach a final design plan. Mr. Lamb believed that the marketplace would determine the final design and that the Fit Test would provide information regarding how many units could fit on the site. Mayor Grant inquired how rents impact property values. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 30, 2015 3 Mr. Lamb discussed how multi-family developments were being constructed in the metro area. He believed that convenient retail services were driving higher rental rates. Councilmember Holden suggested that staff consider how the AHATS parcel could be connected into the TCAAP site in the future, if the parcel became available for redevelopment. Mr. Lamb stated that the current plan does not take this into consideration. Mayor Grant inquired how part two of the Fit Test would differ from part one. Mr. Lamb explained how part two of the Fit Test would differ from part one. He reported that the open and common space would be addressed, and in addition, visual connections would be further described. He elaborated on the pros and cons of the site from a development perspective. Councilmember Holden asked if a grid system would be considered or if the City should move away from this on TCAAP. Mr. Lamb stated that he would lay out the development with a 400-foot block design per the TRC; however, this could be lengthened to 600 feet for some blocks. Councilmember McClung questioned if option two would have approximately the same density as Option 1. Mr. Lamb anticipated that Option 2 would have a higher density. It was his hope to create a plan that would make the best use of the space. He believed that the proposed numbers in Option 1 were fair. He explained that he would be back in several weeks with phase two of the Fit Test. Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Lamb for his presentation and stated that he looked forward to reviewing the Fit Test further on April 131h 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the special City Council work session at 6:50 p.m. J"� a' Amy Dietl David Grant City Clerk Mayor 'It' - EN HILLS Request for Special City Council Work Session A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers. Reason for meeting: 1. Rice Creek Commons Requested Date: 3/30/15 Requested time: 5:30 PM Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of person(s) making request: 3 / 24 / 15 Mayor or Council Member Date Council Member Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date meeting to be held: 3/30/15 Time of meeting: 5:30 PM Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. �L/ 1s Signature of City lerk 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