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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-16-WS lt ,fi` IZEN HILLS Approved: February 29, 2016 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 11, 2016 5:00 P.M. -ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDERIROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the special City Council work session 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Dave McClung Absent: None Also present: Interim City Administrator Sue Iverson; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; and Senior Planner Matthew Bachler 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. Interviews for City Council Vacancy The Council conducted interviews of City Council candidates James Lambeth, David Radziej and Steven Jones. Mayor Grant recessed the work session meeting at 6:55 p.m. to the regular City Council meeting. Mayor Grant reconvened the work session meeting at 7:23 p.m. B. TCAAP Goals Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that at the November 2, 2015, TCAAP Joint Development Authority meeting, Commissioners were provided information on the respective goals of the City and County for the TCAAP redevelopment project. The City's stated goals and Ramsey County's Rice Creek Common Goals and Metrics were discussed. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that during the JDA Commissioner discussion, it was noted that some goals may not be mutually achievable in a given situation. In other words, achieving one particular goal may result in another goal not being fully realized ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 11, 2016 2 within the scope of a particular development project. JDA Commissioners agreed to work with their respective County and City boards to prioritize development goals. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that neither the County nor the City had an opportunity to prioritize their goals prior to the January 4, 2016, Joint Development Authority meeting at which the Solicitation for Master Developer was approved for release on February 1, 2016. At that meeting, Mayor Grant and Councilmember Holden noted that the City would draft additional TCAAP goals for attachment to the Solicitation document prior to February 1. Mayor Grant commented on the Master Developer Solicitation that was discussed by the JDA at their January 4, 2016 meeting. He explained how the Master Developer was to balance the goals of both the County and the City within the TCAAP development. He supported the Council more closely defining these goals. Councilmember Holmes asked if the County would also be attaching goals to the solicitation. Mayor Grant stated that he believed this would be the case as the County had a very specific and direct list of goals as well. Councilmember Holden explained that the goals for the County were to be addressed at the December JDA meeting, but this meeting was canceled. She expressed frustration that the County goals were not addressed by the JDA in January. She feared how a developer would balance both the City and County goals in the TCAAP development. Councilmember Holmes understood that the County believed their goals did not conflict with the City. Councilmember Holden requested comment from the City Attorney regarding the City's goals. City Attorney Jamnik stated that he believed it was problematic to have a separate list of goals unless properly worded. He advised that the City's Master Plan, TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) and Comprehensive Plan clearly address the City's goals and visions for the site. Further discussion ensued regarding the County's goals for TCAAP. Councilmember Holmes wanted further information from the County regarding the affordability levels within the housing on TCAAP. She was confused as to why the County was pushing the solicitation document through without having consistent goals with the City. Councilmember Holden expressed frustration that the County attached their goals to the solicitation. She was also expressed concerned with how the Master Developer would be selected by the Solicitation Review Committee. She then reviewed a list of potential goals for the City noting that she would like to see senior housing on TCAAP. Mayor Grant suggested that all goals remain in alignment with the City's TRC and Comprehensive Plan. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 11, 2016 3 Councilmember McClung agreed stating that the main goal for developers should be compliance with the City and Met Council approved Comprehensive Plan, in addition to the TCAAP Redevelopment Code from a broad perspective. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the City's goals have the rule of law behind the TCAAP development. She believed that the County's goals were aspirational in nature and may not be consistent or realistic with what the market will support. Mayor Grant stated that while this may be the case, the County's goals were attached to the solicitation while the City of Arden Hills' were not. Councilmember McClung stated that he believed that the City should simply refer to the approved Comprehensive Plan and TRC for its goals. Councilmember Holden wanted to see the TCAAP development succeed and not end up in court. She had hoped that the County would more closely define the type of"high paying jobs" they were seeking for TCAAP. Councilmember Holmes indicated that she is in favor of the job wages being compared to the five neighboring cities and not the seven county metro area. Mayor Grant agreed that this would be a more reasonable comparison. He was in favor of placing the City's maximum residential units of 1431 within the goals as well. Councilmember McClung suggested another goal state that the City supports a mixture of development within the approved Comprehensive Plan and TRC that would encourage the extension of public transit to the TCAAP site. City Attorney Jamnik recommended that the Council walk through the County's goals and cross compare. He understood that the Council was interested in more senior housing, higher paying jobs, more office, housing diversity, 1,431 units with a maximum overall density of 9.5 units per acre, in addition to transit and mobility that was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Holden stated that she wanted to see the City encouraging LEED certified housing and green energy solutions. She was also in favor of a single garbage hauler. She recommended buildings on TCAAP be constructed in a manner that reduces public safety costs. She expressed concern with the affordable housing numbers and the County's interpretation of those numbers. Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed the County's affordable housing goal numbers. She reported that the County's goal was for 10% of all housing and 20% of occupied housing to be affordable. She then discussed several scenarios with rental versus owner occupied based on 1,431 units. Councilmember Holden believed that the language as written was unclear. She questioned how future developers would monitor the percentage of affordable housing on the site. She stated that ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 11, 2016 4 she did not want the affordable housing to be lumped together, but rather spread throughout the development. Community Development Director Hutmacher reminded the Council that the affordable housing percentages were goals and not requirements. City Attorney Jamnik advised the Council to proceed with caution in this area. Mayor Grant commented that he did not fully support the County's affordable housing goals. He suggested the City draft its own affordable housing goals that were clear and concise. He supported the 10% language within the solicitation, but recommended the 20% verbiage be dropped. Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested the Council consider the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act for this goal. She then discussed the Allocation of Housing Need as determined by the Metropolitan Council. Councilmember Holmes questioned what action would be taken against the City if not enough affordable housing was built in TCAAP. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that the Met Council would not approve the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan if the City does not address its Allocation of Housing Need within the Plan. She reiterated that the City was not obligated to create the housing, but rather was obligated to create the potential for affordable housing. Councilmember Holden did not believe it would be possible to have 373 affordable housing units within TCAAP. Further discussion ensued regarding the percentage of affordable housing units on TCAAP. Councilmember Holden asked if the Council wanted to set any goals on the amount of office square feet on TCAAP. Mayor Grant recommended that this be set at two million square feet, with a 60/40 office to manufacturing split. Councilmember Holden requested that staff draft the goals as discussed by the Council this evening and address them again on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None. i ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 11, 2016 5 ADJOURN Mayor Grant recessed the special City Council work session at 8:50 p.m. to Wednesday, January 13, 2016. J. 'Lai Sue Iverson David Grant Interim City Administrator Mayor ,--AEN 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. City Councilmember Interviews 6414 --rC/9-tt P 60a . Requested Date: 1/11/16 Requested time: 5:00 PM Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of rson(s) making request: Aa4lMayor or Council Member Date Council Member Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: I/ 'f / Q. Date meeting to be held: 1/11/16 Time of meeting: 5:00—PM Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. 1 / N / Signature of City CI k 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