HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-15 PC Work Session Minutes
Approved: January 6, 2016
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015
ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Roberta Thompson called to order the work
session meeting at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present were: Chair Roberta Thompson, Commissioners Andrew Holewa, Steven Jones,
Phillip Neururer, and Clayton Zimmerman.
Absent: Commissioners Brent Bartel and Angela Hames.
Also present were: Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City Planner Ryan
Streff; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; and Councilmember Fran Holmes.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – DECEMBER 9, 2015
The Agenda was approved as presented.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Draft 2016 Work Plan
City Planner Streff reviewed the proposed 2016 Work Plan with the Commission. It was noted
that the Work Plan would be presented to the City Council at a joint meeting with the Planning
Commission on Tuesday, January 19th.
Chair Thompson opened the floor to the Commission.
Commissioner Jones was interested in seeing building material requirements addressed by the
Planning Commission.
Chair Thompson questioned how the City addressed new building materials within the City
Code.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – DECEMBER 9, 2015 2
City Planner Streff explained that staff has the ability to evaluate new building materials and
review the Code for consistency.
Chair Thompson stated that she was concerned about the alignment of commercial buildings
along Lexington Avenue. She discussed how difficult it was for delivery trucks to maneuver
through these sites. She wanted to ensure that appropriate delivery space was provided for new
developments in the City.
Commissioner Zimmerman asked how the Planning Commission would be involved in the
TCAAP development.
Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed the TCAAP development timeline
and noted that all proposed developments would go before the JDA, unless the plans required
adjustments to the TRC.
Commissioner Holewa requested information from staff on the solar and geothermal situation
on TCAAP.
City Planner Streff provided an update to the Commission noting that Ramsey County has been
in contact with the City regarding the approval process for a solar array development. He
explained that staff has no further information regarding the use of geothermal on the TCAAP
site.
B. 2015 Planning Commission Year-End Report
City Planner Streff provided the Planning Commission with a summary of the planning
activities for 2015. The following accomplishments were discussed:
• Reviewed and processed 25 planning cases that included 38 separate land use requests.
• City approved seven Zoning or City Code amendments, with three amendments still
pending, that addressed window transparency, accessory telecommunication antennas,
public use dedications, outdoor display and sales, resale businesses, temporary parking,
and stormwater management.
• Processed the adoption of the TCAAP Redevelopment Code, the rezoning of the 427-acre
TCAAP property, and the amendment to the Arden Hills Comprehensive Plan to
incorporate the TCAAP Master Plan.
Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commission questions.
Chair Thompson thanked staff for their dedication to the City and for keeping the Commission
members thoroughly informed on planning issues.
Councilmember Holmes appreciated all of the Planning Commission’s efforts over the past year
and thanked Commissioner Holewa for his service to the City of Arden Hills.
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – DECEMBER 9, 2015 3
ADJOURN
Commissioner Holewa moved, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to adjourn the
December 9, 2015, Planning Commission Work Session Meeting at 7:57 p.m. The
motion carried unanimously (5-0).