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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-14 PC Work Session Minutes Approved: November 5, 2014 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Vice Chair Roberta Thompson called to order the work session meeting at 8:55 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Vice Chair Roberta Thompson, Commissioners Angela Hames, Andrew Holewa, Steven Jones, and Clayton Zimmerman. Absent: Chair Clayton Larson and Commissioner Brent Bartel. Also present were: Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City Planner Ryan Streff; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; and Councilmember Fran Holmes. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – OCTOBER 8, 2014 The Agenda was approved as presented. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) – Chapters 6-7 Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that Chapters 6 and 7 of the draft TCAAP zoning code are two of the longest and most detail-oriented chapters of the draft code. These chapters primarily address the placement and design of buildings to create an appealing pedestrian-friendly environment. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that Chapter 6 (Building Site Development Standards) sets setbacks, building frontage, height, and other design requirements for each district. Higher standards are often placed on properties adjacent to Pedestrian Priority or Pedestrian Friendly frontages. These are located in the Office Mixed Use, Retail Mixed Use, Town Center, and Neighborhood Transition Districts as depicted in the attached draft Regulating Plan. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – OCTOBER 8, 2014 2 Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that Chapter 7 (Building Design Standards) addresses façade composition, building materials, and the design of drive-throughs and parking structures. Commercial readiness standards are placed on the ground floors of buildings adjacent to Pedestrian Priority frontages. While this does not require first floor retail or office uses, it allows buildings to be easily converted over time should those uses become desirable. Pedestrian Priority frontages are currently depicted only in the center of the Office Mixed Use, Retail Mixed Use, and Town Center Districts around the planned open space/plaza areas. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed property setbacks. Councilmember Holmes explained that she was having a hard time visualizing how the setbacks and building spacing would work. She did not want to see the Town Center in TCAAP as tight as development in downtown Minneapolis. She questioned what would be planted between buildings and the street. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated this was yet to be determined. She then discussed the differences between downtown Minneapolis to downtown Osseo. She explained that staff was trying to create a space where people wanted to be and businesses would want to locate. Commissioner Holewa questioned whether roof-mounted solar panels would be exempt from the maximum building height regulations. Commissioner Jones discussed the benefits of urban development noting that the Town Center area would be more walkable without large setbacks with areas of grass and other plantings. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if one developer would be chosen for the Town Center. Community Development Director Hutmacher anticipated that one developer would be chosen for the retail area in the Town Center. Commissioner Jones recommended the City maintain the sidewalks in the Town Center area in order to create uniformity with snow removal and grass mowing. Vice Chair Thompson provided comment on the “Parklet” concept that the City of Minneapolis started this past summer. Community Development Director Hutmacher further discussed development ideas for the retail area and believed it would closely reflect the Lexington Station development with buildings pulled closely to the street, while remaining pedestrian friendly. Commissioner Holewa discussed the importance of providing bike lanes. Commissioner Zimmerman recommended that separate paths for pedestrians and bicyclists be provided to reduce conflicts. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – OCTOBER 8, 2014 3 Community Development Director Hutmacher thanked the Commission for their input and encouraged them to attend the November 3rd and November 17th Council worksession meetings to provide further input on the TCAAP redevelopment code. ADJOURN Commissioner Holewa moved, seconded by Vice Chair Thompson, to adjourn the October 8, 2014, Planning Commission Work Session Meeting at 9:40 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).