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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-31-16-SWS _1't --AI�EN HILLS Approved: November 28, 2016 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 31,2016 6:00 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 Special City Council Work Session meeting at 6:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung and Jonathan Wicklund Absent: None Also present: Interim City Administrator Sue Iverson; Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associate; Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Andy Brotzler; and Senior Planner Matthew Bachler 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. TCAAP Master Plan Update Senior Planner Bachler reported on October 17, 2016 the City Council met in a work session with the Master Development Team to review proposed changes to the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) and the Regulating Plan. Based on the feedback provided by the City Council, staff has updated the red-lined draft of the TRC. Staff incorporated revisions in the document where there was consensus support for a proposed change. Additionally, staff completed a final read through of the TRC document to see if there were any sections that needed further revision or clarification. Staff reviewed the changes in detail with the Council. Senior Planner Bachler stated since the work session on October 17, 2016, the Master Development Team met with two members of the City Council to discuss the 'Town Center District. Based on the outcome of that meeting, changes were made to the red-lines in the Town Center section related to the permitted building height. A conceptual plan of the proposed programming and density for the Town Center was reviewed with the Council. Senior Planner Bachler noted the Civic District remains unchanged from the previous work sessions. The Civic and Town Center sections are placeholders and will be changed after further discussion with the full Council. The proposed revisions for the Civic and Town Center Districts ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 31, 2016 2 were discussed. An updated copy of the TCAAP Regulating Plan was provided to the Council and staff requested comments or questions. Councilmember Holmes asked where the theater could be located. Senior Planner Bachler reported a theater would be allowed in TC3 or TC2. Councilmember Holden discussed the zoning for Town Center. She wanted to see each block defined separately versus having TC1, TC2, and TC3. Discussion shifted to building height and allowable square footage. Councilmember Holden questioned what the size of the foundation of the building would be. Bob Lux, Alatus, was uncertain of the exact size at this time. Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates, stated the goal would be to have some towers with lower buildings in the Town Center. Councilmember Wicklund asked if 25% was enough room to a building foundation. Mr. Lux stated this was on the margin, but he was comfortable with the 25%. He provided further comment on the condo site. Councilmember Holmes understood the taller buildings within the Town Center could be ten stories or 130 feet in height. Mayor Grant had an issue with how the new plan would be presented to the public at the Open House on November 16, 201.6. Ms. Kvilvang commented a graphic of the previous zoning map could be provided. Mr. Lux described the work he was completing with the assistance of an architect to create realistic presentation boards for the Open House. Councilmember McClung indicated that he supported the plan and also supported flexibility. Mayor Grant understood this may not be the last conversation the Council would have regarding building height or density. I le asked for any further comments regarding this topic. Councilmember Holmes requested staff amend the TRC to read "130-foot maximum building height". The Council turned their discussion to the TC2 zoning district. Councilmember Holmes understood that this zoning district could have more 10 story buildings. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 31, 2016 3 Mr. Lux stated this was the case. Mayor Grant commented he had still not wrapped his head around this entire zoning district. Councilmember Holden expressed concern with what the density would be in the five story buildings versus the ten story buildings. She stated she would be more comfortable breaking TC2 into separate blocks to allow for the City to have more control. Mr. Lux stated his focus has been to have the majority of the density in the heart of the Town Center and not at the entrance of the development. Councilmember Wicklund was in favor of leaving TC2 a larger parcel and not break this into pieces as this may limit or restrict design. Mayor Grant encouraged the developer to be careful with his modeling and noted he did not want to mislead the public as to the uses within the Town Center, as Council understood these uses could shift and change over time. Mayor Grant recessed the City Council Work Session meeting at 6:53 p.m. Mayor Grant reconvened the City Council Work Session meeting at 9:00 p.m. Mayor Grant commented on the Open house that would be on November 16. Mr. Lux addressed Councilmember Holden's concerns regarding density and building height within the Town Center. Councilmember Holden requested again that the Town Center blocks be zoned individually. Mr. Lux suggested a maximum front footage on the mall be set in order to address Councilmember Holden's concerns. Ms. Kvilvang stated in order to eliminate a wall of ten story buildings, perhaps the developer could abide by a 60%frontage limit. Councilmember Holden recommended the Council move on. Councilmember Wicklund questioned how the Council would address the comments received at the Open House. While he valued input from the public, he preferred to move the process along. He asked where the Council stood at this time. Councilmember Holmes wanted to see the Council resolve their issues with the plan as best as they can. Mayor Grant believed it would be important for the developer to explain to the public the plans in place were"proposed"and not set in stone. It was his opinion that the 60% limit was still quite high. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 31, 2016 4 Mr. Lux discussed the 60% limit and described how corners within the Town Center would be wrapped with stately looking buildings. Councilmember Wicklund recommended the developer have enough flexibility to design fi•iendly building structures and to not create restrictions regarding a certain percentage of front footage. I le believed that such limitations would create a code that was highly regulatory. Mayor Grant understood Councilmember Wicklund's perspective but also believed that some parameters had to be put in place. Councilmember Wicklund recommended the developer be allowed to decide how the buildings along the block would be massed. Mr. Lux described how Town Center could be broken into two parcels. Mayor Grant recommended the Council move on. Councilmember Holmes asked if the Council was going to support the 60% limit. Mayor Grant suggested the 60% limit be included in the code, excluding the roadway with bookends. Councilmember Holden recommended that a percentage be set for the amount of retail that could be located within the buildings in Town Center. Senior Planner Bachler suggested the land use table be amended to address this requirement. Mayor Grant began to discuss the Civic area of the development and the uses that would be allowed in this district. Councilmember Holmes questioned who would be constructing and paying for the buildings in the Civic area. She stated this was never on the City's plan. Councilmember Wicklund did not understand the vision for this piece of property. He understood what could be located on the land but believed the only practical application for the parcel was to move City Hall to the center. Mr. Lux discussed his vision for the Civic area. He thought the 1.3 acres should be something the City and region could benefit from. He believed a Civic use would assist in drawing people to the site. Councilmember Wicklund asked if Arden Hills should consider a community center. Councilmember Holden did not believe this would be the best option given the number of community centers surrounding the City. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 31, 2016 5 Councilmember Holmes suggested the City have a conversation with the County regarding the zoning of the Civic property. Councilmember Wicklund believed this could be a very interesting and worthwhile conversation. Mr. Lux commented the zoning for this parcel could always be changed in the future if the City does not complete a vision for the site. He stated that he believed the site had real potential as a Civic interest. Councilmember Wicklund was comfortable leaving the Civic area within the plan as a placeholder. He looked forward to the Council discussing this further after the Mayor or staff discusses this property with the County. Councilmember Holmes did not understand the reasoning behind the Civic area. Mr. Lux believed the right civic use could greatly benefit the development, the residents of Arden Hills and the surrounding corporate users. Councilmember McClung did not want to see the City lose the opportunity to develop this site. Councilmember Wicklund agreed. The Council agreed to keep the Civic area in the plan for the time being. Councilmember Holden stated again for the record that she wanted staff to make it clear that the uses being presented at the Open House were"proposed". Mayor Grant asked that the Council be provided with a copy of the boards prior to the Open House. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the Special City Council Work Session meeting at 10:00 p.m. Qkbe� - Iverson Davi Grant Ue erim City Administrator Mayor It, ---A 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. TCAAP Master Plan Update Requested Date: 10/31/16 Requested time: 6:00 pm Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of person(s) making request: A44,11264 10 / 28 / 16 Mayor or Council Member Date Council Member Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: d / C�8/ Date meeting to be held: 10/31/16 Time of meeting: 6:00 pm Location: City Hall All necessary postin and notices have been completed. /p / / Si a ure of City Clerk Date City of Arden Hills * 1245 West Highway 96 * Arden Hills,MN 55112-5743 Phone 651.792.7800 0 Fax 651.634.5137 * www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us