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Home My WebLink About06-19-17 WS'It ,-AI�EN HILLS Approved: July 10, 2017 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 19, 2017 5:00 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 City Council Work Session at 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung and Steve Scott Absent: None Also present: City Administrator William Joynes, Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka, Interim Director of Finance and Admin Services Dave Perrault, Public Works Superintendent Jeff Frid, Senior Planner Matthew Bachler, Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba, and JR Hospitality Principal Jay Bhakta. 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. CONCEPT PLAN REVIEW - JR HOSPITALITY — 3920 NORTHWOODS DRIVE Senior Planner Matthew Bachler introduced the Concept Plan Review for 3920 Northwoods Drive and gave background on the site and surrounding sites. A Conceptual Site Plan has been submitted by JR Hospitality showing a hotel with a footprint of approximately 18,000 square feet, and located toward the center of the property. Gross square footage of the building would be just over 82,000 square feet with 139 rooms. The height would be 58 feet with 5 stories. The Zoning Code requires that off-street parking for hotel uses be provided at a ratio of one parking stall for each room plus one stall for each employee. JR Hospitality estimates the site would have approximately 12 employees. A total of 139 off-street parking stalls are shown on the preliminary plans where 151 stalls would be required by Code. Exterior materials would include brick, stone, and glass, stucco, fiber cement panels. The preliminary plans provide for only 45 percent of these materials where 75 percent is required. If JR Hospitality moves forward with the proposal a Master and Final Planned Unit Development would be required with flexibility expected to be needed for building height, floor area ratio, minimum off-street parking spaces, landscape coverage, parking setbacks, and exterior building materials. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 19, 2017 2 JR Hospitality Principal Jay Bhakta noted that they have been looking for a site in the area for quite a while. Hampton Inn is part of the Hilton Hotel chain and is considered a top select service hotel. They are hoping for input from the Council before they move forward in the application process. Mayor David Grant began a discussion about building materials and mentioned that Hampton Inns have a signature look which may not line up with the City building materials requirements. Mr. Bhakta noted that it is extremely rare for Hampton Inns to meet the City's requirement of 75 percent brick and stone. An elevated level of exterior finish for them would typically be 45 percent of these materials. They want to be sure to keep the look and feel of the brand, but comply as much as possible with the City. Councilmember Steve Scott asked how the Hampton Inn is positioned within the Hilton brand. Mr. Bhakta explained that the Hampton Inns were originally introduced as a mid -scale brand but over the years has become an upper mid -scale brand. Councilmember Dave McClung asked about the entry/exit on the northeast corner of the property going to the landlocked 1143 Red Fox Road property behind the existing hotel. Mr. Bhakta stated the intention was future entry to the property if a complimentary business is constructed there. Mayor Grant asked for an explanation of the number of parking stalls requested. Mr. Bhakta responded that brand standard is 1:1, one stall for each guest room. Most housekeeping staff arrive around 9 am and most guests are no longer in the hotel by that time. During peak hours in the morning employees there would be front desk, general manager, maintenance, and 7-8 housekeeping staff. During evenings there are typically only 2 staff members in the building. A lot of guests are also using Uber or Lyft to get to the hotels so less parking is needed. Councilmember Fran Holmes wondered if more explanation could be given about the parking setbacks and the drive lane width. Senior Planner Bachler explained there is a parking side yard setback requirement of 5 feet from the property line. Originally the drive lanes were shown as 24 feet wide, but the Lake Johanna Fire Department requires the lanes to be 26 feet wide to bring in large equipment. When a more detailed site plan is done, there may be some parking stalls encroaching into the 5 foot setback to accommodate the wider drive lane. Councilmember Brenda Holden expressed her concern that the building will be too large for the property. Councilmember Holmes felt that a traffic study may not be necessary. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 19, 2017 3 Mayor Grant stated that he is not concerned about extra traffic or the building being 5 stories. He felt the parking seems adequate based on the explanation given by Mr. Bhatka. He would like to see more of the City required building materials but understood the Hampton Inn wants to keep their identity. Councilmember McClung is not concerned about height because of the location of the building and proximity to the freeway. He is also felt there would be no more traffic than the previous tenant. He would like to see an enhanced exterior, up to 55 percent, but felt he could support this proposal. Councilmember Holden thought a traffic study of the area might be beneficial to possibly force Ramsey County into upgrading intersections. Councilmember Holmes felt comfortable with the plan. Councilmember Scott stated his only concern is the exterior cladding because of setting precedence for other construction. Councilmember Holden suggested a sidewalk be installed on Northwoods Drive from the Hampton Inn to Red Fox Road. Mayor Grant stated that the Council would like to see the project go forward. The general consensus was 55 percent of the design standards would be acceptable. B. 2018-2022 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) DISCUSSION Interim Director of Finance and Admin Services Dave Perrault presented information relative to the 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan. Staff prepared a preliminary plan for the Council's review. Some projects have been rolled forward from last year, and new projects have been identified. He presented a PowerPoint with a summary of projects and equipment expenses, estimated funding balances and TCAAP funding. There was discussion regarding TCAAP funding, SAC/WAC fees/credits and potential bonding. Items on the New Projects in 2018 slide were discussed: Hazelnut Park Shelter, Freeway Park, Perry Park Improvements, County Rd E2 trail project, Old Snelling trail project, Booster Station Repair/Upgrade, and the Indian Oaks/Floral Drive PMP. Items on the New Equipment in 2018 slide were discussed: Asphalt Paver, Camera Trailer, Skid Steer/Roller, Half Ton Truck, and F-450 Plow Truck. Discussions took place on line items in the Proposed 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan/Equipment Replacement Plan. Discussed under Projects by Department were: Gateway Signs, Playground Structure Replacements, Hazelnut Park, Freeway Park Parking Lot, Perry Park Improvements, Sewer Lining/Rehabilitation, Old Snelling Avenue Bridge Reconstruction, Karth Lake BMP, CR E2 Water Replacement/Old Hwy 10 Water Loop, and the TCAAP Booster Station. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 19, 2017 4 Discussed under Equipment Replacement: 1996 Trailer Replacement, Replace Two 2014 Torro "Z" Lawn Mowers, Replace 1996 Roller, Replace 2006 F-350 Four Door, and Replace 2004 Chevrolet Blazer. C. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE UPDATE City Administrator William Joynes updated the Council on 3 positions: the Communications Coordinator position will have second interviews and a recommendation should be coming to the Council in July; we received six bids for the City Attorney RFP, four firms will be interviewed and the Council will be asked to contribute to the decision making process with the final two candidates; a candidate was being pursued for Community Development Director but that person withdrew. With continued help from WSB he feels the City will be fine until TCAAP projects begin. 2. COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS Councilmember Scott asked about fire hydrants being covered. Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka responded that the hydrants are covered because they are in need of repair and they will be taken care of ASAP. Councilmember Scott noted that he attended the townhalls for State Representative Jessup and State Senator Isaacson. Councilmember Holden mentioned that she is seeing homes doing remodeling without permits. She suggested that Council members call City Hall to see if permits are being issued. She also wondered if the City could develop a "community cheat sheet" for residents. City Administrator Joynes said the Communications Coordinator can be tasked with creating a new resident sheet. Councilmember Holmes noted that we are at Level 1 of the Green Step program. She felt the City needs to get to Level 2 and she will make it one of her causes. Mayor Grant mentioned the County has been painting crosswalks and suggested the crosswalk to the Ramsey County Library on County Road E2 needs to be eliminated. Also, he would like to see a crosswalk added on New Brighton Road where it crosses to the Hanson Homes development. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session at 8:19 p.m. 1441 4ne Trau David Grant Deputy Clerk Mayor