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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 2011 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S.Postage Paid Twin Cities,NM NH S Permit#1962 Arden Hills,MN • 55112-5734 ICounty and Vikings prefer Arden Hills n s Plans for former Holiday Inn Postal Customer The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents June 2011 Fox Ridge project Ramsey County and Minnesota Vikings favor Arden Hills stadium site Well-sealing assistance available amsey County and the Vikings proposes commercial attractions,such as other on-site infrastructure dwant to build a new stadium in restaurants,retail,a hotel,and a movie would cost an estimated e City purchases Hazelnut Park property RArden Hills.The State Legislature theater.The Vikings corporate headquar- $1.06 billion to build. adjourned May 23 without voting on a ters and training facilities also might be Under the County/Vikings proposal,the stadium bill.The proposal is to build a moved to the site. Vikings would pay$407 million—that's retractable roof public stadium surrounded 39 percent.Ramsey County would pay by private commercial development on The TCAAP site requires environmental $350 million—a third of the cost.The 430 acres along the western edge of the remediation.If no residential construction County's portion would be funded by a former Twin Cities Army Ammunition is included in the stadium proposal,the county-wide 0.5 percent sales tax increase Plant(TCAAP)property.The County, site would be remediated to a less costly (fifty cents on a$100 purchase). County Notes from the City Council State,and the Vikings would pay for the commercial/industrial standard. sales tax increases generally require a vot- $1 billion stadium.If approved by the er referendum.But as was done for Target s I write this letter the state leg- Since the City portion of your property tax lost a job.It could be a cashier,sales per- State,the City may not have the authority Improvements to I-35W,I-694,U.S.High- Field,the State Legislature can circumvent islature has adjourned its regular is calculated by dividing the levy by the son,accountant,or it could the person next to stop the stadium.The City of Min- way 10,and possibly other roads will be a referendum.The State would pay$300 session and will head to a special total property value in the city,less com- door.However,the results are the same, neapolis has made an alternate proposal needed to accommodate traffic generated million—28 percent—via sales taxes on session.This article will not reach you for mercial property value ends up shifting a job lost,a family impacted,and further to replace the Metrodome with a new by the stadium or any other development certain items and lottery proceeds. another month.There will no doubt be more of the tax burden to residential prop- impact on businesses.Unemployment stadium. on the TCAAP site.Currently,approxi- considerable news coverage of how to bal- erty.Arden Hills'overall levy increase last remains at historically high levels. mately 200,000 vehicles travel through the The State also is asked to pay for all ance the state budget and of funding for a year was only 0.81%.However,the over- Proposal details 1-694 and 1-35 W interchange each week- continued on page 2 Vikings Stadium.I wonder if a decision on all increase to residential property taxes So you might be thinking,I see the"For Officials from the County and Vikings day,including approximately the budget will be reached by the time this was higher,due in part to lower values in Lease"signs,but what can I do?I would announced their partnership May 10.They 20,000 during the peak rush Proposed Stadium Site Plan letter reaches you,or if we will be facing commercial property compared to residen- encourage you to support your local are proposing a 1.6 million square foot hour.A Vikings game would a partial shutdown of state services during tial property. businesses.For example,if you are going multi-purpose stadium with up to 65,000 bring approximately 21,000 such a rough economy for so many. up north,gas up and buy your groceries seats and up to 150 suites. Construction is additional vehicles(42,000 i Of course,other items figure into prop- locally before you go.If you are thinking expected to take three years.The Vikings trips)to Arden Hills.Whereas, Rather than speculate on the outcome erty taxes,and the information above is of going out to eat choose a local restau- have agreed to a 30-year lease and would when completed the 2009 of the legislative session or a stadium,I only one aspect of property taxes,but it rant. Simply think of ways to support local operate the stadium. In addition to the plan for a mixed use develop- y i would like to turn to something else fac- is currently the largest item impacting businesses.If everyone does a little bit,it Vikings,the stadium might be used ment on the TCAAP property ing our city;namely the number of"For cities across the state.The economy has can mean a lot. by other sports teams and for special would have added 50,000 Lease"and"For Rent"signs appearing on been hit hard over the last few years.As events. Similar to the Metrodome,a trips per weekday.Traffic for . commercial property.You might be think- the economy improves,hopefully the shift public commission would oversee the the ten Vikings games each ing,what has that to do with homeowners? will swing the value of the City's com- new stadium. Construction is expected to season would mostly occur In short,quit a bit.Let me explain. mercial and residential property back to a generate 7,500 full-and part-time jobs, outside of peak rush hour f� more equal balance. and once the stadium opens it would times,whereas an alternative The City currently collects a property tax support approximately 3,400 jobs. mixed-use TCAAP develop- levy of just over$3 million annually.The The"For Lease"signs are also more often David Grant,Mayor ment scenario likely would amount of our City levy is spread over the than not an indication that someone has The stadium would be surrounded by other add to rush hour traffic.The overall value of property in our City.The amenities.With approximately 21,000 Metropolitan Council typi- value of each individual property is deter- Celebrating Arden Hills is September 17 parking spaces,there would be opportu- cally would review and make mined by the Ramsey County assessor's ark your calendars.On Saturday,September 17,from 3 p.m. nities for tailgating.The County would recommendations on the road office. Commercial property in Minnesota purchase all available 430 acres and would plans,but special State legisla- : that is not occupied is assessed at a lower to dusk,the City will hold its fall festival at Tony SchmidtRegional Park on the shore of Lake Johanna.Enjoy the food, sell the portion not used for the stadium tion is proposed to bypass that value than if it were occupied property. development to the Vikings.On the ap- review. Residential property however,does not youth activities,music,art,games,fireworks,and more.Watch the proximately 170 acres not used for the VI City website and this newsletter for more information as it becomes change in value based whether occupied stadium development site(which is subject Costs or unoccupied. available. to City zoning and approval),the team The stadium,parking,and Arden Hills Service Directory News from around the town Benchmarks: a review of recent City Council action 1245 West Highway 96 Adopted Resolution 2011-021 for the Approved Planning Case 11-006 for Arden Hills, AN 55112-5734 Holiday Inn site considered for senior housing April 11, 2011 Special Assessment Roll for the 2011 a Preliminary Plat at 4500 Snelling elect Senior Living has come to both the City Council and the Planning Com-mission seeking feedback on a redevelopment idea for the former Holiday Inn Authorized purchase of a used dump Pavement Management Program(5-0) Avenue North to subdivide the parcel • Summer Office Hours building on County Road E just west of Lexington Avenue.They are proposing truck with plow/wing/sander,from Adopted Resolution 2011-022 and into 39 Lots(3-2)(Tamble,Werner) 7:30 a.m.to 5 p.m. p Townmaster Truck Equipment for awarded bid for the 2011 Pavement to repurpose the site as a mixed-use senior living building,including apartments for Monday through Thursday a total cost not to exceed$155,000 Management Program to Asphalt May 9, 2011 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. independent living,assisted living,and memory care. 5-0 g g p ( ) Surface Technologies Corporation in Adopted Resolution 2011-014 recog- Friday Authorized purchase of a Skid Steer the amount of$1,056,477 5-0 nizing May 15-21,2011,as National The attached restaurant portion of the building exceeds the space needed for senior P ( ) housing,and Select Senior Living is looking at alternative uses for that space,including and attachments from Tri-State Bob- Public Works Week(5-0) 651-792-7800 g g g p g Approved Purchase Agreement a community restaurant and office or retail space. cat for a cost not to exceed$54,516 $214,422 plus legal and closing Adopted resolution on transportation www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us ( p g g including the trade-in of 1993 Skid costs Joint Use Agreement and Main- funding in support of the Regional Sheriff and Fire Emergency ) g It is exploring using the existing pool area for physical therapy/rehabilitation/rehabilitation for not Streer with snowblower.Also au- Council of Mayors in efforts to raise 911 p g g g p p Y pY tenance Agreement for the Hazelnut Y onlythe residents of the senior facility,but perhaps open to the public as well. thorized the purchase of a used 68" economic competitiveness,accelerate Sheriff(non-emergency) �' p p p p Park Acquisition(See story on page P angle broom from the City of Falcon 5 5 0 innovation and improve the quality of 651-484-3366 Heights for a cost of$2 000 5 0 )( - ) The owner of this site,TAT Properties,is proposing to subdivide the property—Select g ( - ) life in the MSP region(5-0) Fire(non-emergency) Approved Planning Case 11-055 for Senior Living would purchase the western 5.38 acres that includes the existing building, Authorized purchase of eight Park- a Preliminary and Final Plat,and Approved Sup- Water p g A roved renewal of Letter of Su - and the remaining 2 acres to the east would become a separate property available for shore Contemporary style ark Water and Sewer Problems p D' �' p Master and Final PUD to subdivide port for Arden Village Tax Credit (Duringnon-business hours development.Easements on the western property would provide vehicle access to the benches in the amount of$4,821 from Application b Sand Companies,Inc. ) eastern roe the Property at 3245 New Brighton PP � Y P 651-484-3366 property.m' Kirby Built Quality Products(5-0) Road into two Parcels(Hazelnut Park (4-1 Holden) Mayor: This site is part of the City's B2"downtown District.The Guiding Plan for the B2 Authorized agreement to hire Good- addition) (5-0) Instructed Staff to draft letter to Sand David Grant 651-538-0747 pointe Technology to rate condition Companies,Inc. indicating that the District does call for higher-density housing in the area,but did not specifically envision Approved Planning Case 11-006 for P g Councilmembers: of City streets,trails,and parking lots City reserves its right to withold sup- Brenda assisted senior housing.However,given that the building itself is sound,repurposing it a Comprehensive Plan Amendment h' g Holden 651-636-2987 for up to$10,910(5-0) port during future funding cycles 4 1 Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 makes sense,and the need for additional senior housing is anticipated. Both the City adding Very Low Density Residential p g g Y ( - Council and the Planning Commission indicated that they are open to considering this as a land use classification in the 2030 Holmes) Nick Tamble 612-819-7995 development plan. Aril 25 2011 Comprehensive Plan and re-guided Approved amending Section 5.0 Ed Werner 651-636-2546 p , pp g • Adopted Resolution 2011-020 accept- the property at 4500 Snelling Avenue Subd A.2 of the Arden Village Devel- City Administrator: StadlUm continued from page 1 ing a Metropolitan Council Environ- North as Very Low Density(See Fox opment to extend the Building Permit Patrick Klaers 651-792-7810 4Vmental Services Municipal Inflow and Ridge story on page 4) (5-0) Deadline for one year to June 30, needed off-site road improvements which are estimated at$131 million. Infiltration Grant.Estimated amount 2012(5-0) Communications Committee: of$95,407 for 2010 expenses and ( expenses The County and Vikings would pay for any construction cost overruns.The County, $335,083 for 2011 ex 5-0 Arlene Mitchell,editor;Kristine p )purchase of a one-ton Local y d th iz th Goodrich;Brenda Holden;Lois Rem ore e pu Ll variance authority reinstated Council Liaison: Nick Tamble dump truck from Midway Ford and Vikings,and other users would fund the operational and maintenance costs.The Vikings Au would pay for police,fire,medical,and other municipal services. On May 5,2011,the legislature passed reviewing variance requests. In July of Staff Liaison: Becky Brazys have Truck Utilities outfit it with lift a law reinstating city and county 2010 the Minnesota Supreme Court re-in- Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek City's response box and plow($67,000);trade in authority to grant variances and increasing terpreted the state statutes in their decision The Arden Hills City Council has not taken an official position on a stadium.In Febru- 2000 Ford one-ton pick-up(estimated city and county statute consistency. for Krummenacher v. City of Minnetonka. Council meetings are held at City Hall ary,the Council directed City staff to work with the County to research the effects of a ) ( ) The decision outlined much stricter stadium.The City is staying informed,but as of May 23,the Council hadn't taken any value$5,000 5-0 A zoning variance is an exception to land criteria for granting variances and limited on the second and last Monday of the other formal action regarding the stadium.The Council has taken a position that devel- Approved Letter of Support for use regulations allowing the alteration of a cities'discretionary authority. Municipali- month at 7 p.m.Meetings are televised o ment on TCAAP must be cost-beneficial or cost-neutral for the existing taxpayers. House File 118 for improvements to live on Cable Channel 16.Meetings of p gP property which would otherwise result in ties have not been granting variances since I-694 including reconstruction of the a violation of the zoning code. A variance the decision took place last summer. the Planning Commission are televised If the Governor,Legislature,Ramsey County,and the Minnesota Vikings all approve Rice Street interchange and the addi- may be required because the alteration it- at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday and sign off on legislation that states Arden Hills is where a stadium should be built,it tion of a third lane from Rice Street self would not conform to the zoning code, The bill(Chapter 19)was introduced by after the first Monday of the month. will be challenging to stop the project's momentum. The State grants municipalities the to Lexington Avenue and authorize or the existing property does not conform the League of Minnesota Cities to respond Playbacks of City meetings begin the authority to review development proposals to determine whether they are consistent with Staff to seek Letters of Support from to the zoning code. Applicants must dem- to the Supreme Court's decision. The bill morning after the meeting and continue the City's Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan. If proposals are not inconsistent Arden Hills employers (3-2 Holden, onstrate that their requests meet specific amends the statutes by clarifying the crite- every day until the next City meeting. with the Comprehensive Plan,the State grants municipalities the authority to either deny Holmes) criteria in order to receive approval. In ria that cities consider in reviewing a vari- Playbacks are at 3 a.m., 11 a.m.,and the projects or amend the Zoning Ordinance and/or Comprehensive Plan. Because the Arden Hills applicants must resent their ance request. These changes will allow 7 p.m.Monday through Friday,and 7 Award the Indian Oaks Court Pond pp p q g City's authority comes from the State,the State may,in certain circumstances,curtail or cases to the Planning Commission which cities to grant variances again,but under a.m.,2 p.m.,and 10 p.m.on Saturday Shoreline Restoration and Landscap- and Sunday.For web casts,visit eliminate local authority. For example,although Target Field is located in Minneapolis, ing Project to Natural Shore Technol- reviews the application and makes a rec- more narrowly-defined circumstances. nd Sunday. Fo. the Minneapolis City Council did not vote to approve the project. The special legislation ogies,Inc.in the amount of$14,037 ommendation to the City Council which that was passed for Target Field eliminated Minneapolis'authority to approve or deny (5_0) has final granting authority. If you had projects postponed due to the the project. The stadium legislation introduced limits local(City)land use authority. City's inability to grant variances,it may Arden Hills Notes is the official news- Adopted up to an additional$6,000 letter of the City of Arden Hills,an for legislative consulting services A 1989 Court of Appeals interpretation now be possible to proceed with your Additional information is posted on the City and County websites. g g gave cities a fair amount of flexibility in request. Contact City Planner,Meagan equal-opportunity employer. related to the stadium bill from Hill Beekman,at 651-792-7800 for details. 2 Capital Strategies,Inc.(4-1 Tamble) 3 Remediation on the horizon for Round Lake? 0 n May 16,2011,the City Council and the pollution poses only an ecological depth ensures that there will always be met with representatives from the risk,remediation of the lake bottom was open water.The first two of these exam- U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, not prioritized for immediate action.Last ples would come at considerable costs. the U.S.Army,and the Minnesota Pollu- winter lake residents living along the east tion Control Agency(MPCA)to discuss side of Round Lake had noticed quite a Leading up to the May 16 meeting,Round the history of Round Lake and the pos- bit of activity on the lake ice.This activity Lake Resident Cheryl Grudnoske brought sible remediation to the lake bottom. included core samples taken at 135 points in a photo to a City Council meeting around the lake.According to Deepa De showing a bald eagle and its nest. Soon A little history Alwis of the MPCA,the data is forthcom- thereafter,a photo was shared that depict- Round Lake,once a privately owned body ing and the analysis of the data will be oc- ed the nest and two baby eagles.Not just of water,was acquired by the Army in curring this year.De Alwis mentioned that eagles,but other wildlife are surviving and the 1940s in conjunction with the more the micro-organisms such as worms and thriving on and around Round Lake in its than 2,000 acres commonly referred to as algae on the lake bottom play an important current condition including:red squirrels, TCAAP. As a result of operations while role in the ecosystem of Round Lake and chipmunks,rabbits,geese,mallards,deer, manufacturing munitions,ground water as surrounding habitat. loons,cranes,herons,and red fox. well as Round Lake were contaminated. In 1974 the Army declared Round Lake What the analyses show At the May 16 work session,several excess property,and it was then acquired Water samplings have shown that the wa- Round Lake residents were present and by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service. ter is safe to humans and supports wildlife. voiced their concerns. The potential harm involves heavy metals Environmental contamination was discov- on the lake bottom. Representatives from What's next? ered at TCAAP in 1981,and the site was the Fish and Wildlife Service discussed The results of the sampling will be dis- placed on the National Prioirities list in possible remediation should toxic levels cussed at an agency meeting in June 2011. 1983.In 1984 an ecological risk assess- require invasive action.These include: The City anticipates that a new feasibility ment was completed for Round lake,and capping the lake bottom,dredging out study draft will be available this fall at the it was determined that the pollution en- and/or backfilling all or part of the lake earliest. Opportunities for public involve- dangered the lake's ecology. bottom,and occasionally drawing down ment will then follow.There is more detail Because there is no public the lake level to promote more vegetative about this issue available on the City or private access to the lake, growth along the shoreline. The lake's webiste. Updates will also be posted there. City Council approves preliminary plat for Pulte Fox Ridge project 0 n April 25 the City Council ap- Density veloper construct an east-west trail/board- proved the preliminary plat for Because of elevation changes and drain- walk connection from Keithson Drive to Fox Ridge,Pulte Group's single- age patterns,the site is suitable for less the north-south trail that runs between the family housing development in Arden than two-thirds of the housing density new development and the existing town- Hills.This project will create 39 home called for by City Zoning Code and the homes to the east.They also recommend- sites on land south of Highway 96 and east Comprehensive Plan. Thirty-nine homes ed considering a future on-road trail along of Snelling Avenue North. on a buildable net of 20.07 acres creates Snelling Avenue North.An additional cash only 1.94 homes per acre.At the April 25 contribution from the developer will also Roads meeting the City Council created a land be required. The City Code calls for extending exist- use classification of Very Low Density ing streets into new,adjacent develop- Residential and designated that the Fox Wetland preservation ments when possible. Doing so generally Ridge site falls into that classification. A Drainage and wetland plans will be ap- improves overall traffic flow for homes in Comprehensive Plan amendment will be proved by the Rice Creek Watershed the area,as well as providing better access submitted to the Metropolitan Council for District before construction begins.City for emergency vehicles.The approved approval.The Metropolitan Council staff staff will provide oversight during de- preliminary plat calls for Keithson Drive has already been told about the situation. velopment.Easements for wetland areas to be extended into Fox Ridge.At the end will be established,and signs reminding of the Keithson Addition,Keithson Drive Park dedication homeowners of the buffer areas and their will turn west and follow a curving route Developers of subdivisions are required limitations will be put in place. until it intersects with Snelling Avenue. to make a park dedication in the form of On the south end of the development, land and/or money.There is a formula for Final plat approval Royal Hills Drive will be extended north determining the size of the contribution. On May 4 the final plat was presented to of Arden View Drive to intersect with the The City's Parks,Trails,and Recreation the Planning Commission which recom- new segment of Keithson Drive. Committee has recommended that the de- mended its approval. It will come before 4 the City Council on June 1. Assistance available for well-sealing projects Summertime news notes Through a grant from the Ramsey County Conservation District,Arden Hills resi- City plans to start garden club dents may now obtain financial assistance for sealing abandoned wells. The Parks and Recreation Depart- ment is looking for residents to join Background: Homes currently connected to City water may still have an unsealed well a garden club to plan activities to keep up located in the basement,a basement well room,or in the yard.Unsealed wells could and support the City's 30 flower gardens. potentially allow water just below the ground to contaminate the deeper drinking water Contact Michelle Olson:651-792-7848 or aquifers used for city water.A well that is no longer in use can be a potential threat to michelle.olson@ci.arden-hills.mn.us or health,safety,and the environment especially in sensitive areas such as drinking water Don Messerly at 651-633-7022 for more supply management or wellhead protection areas. Sealing is a process of clearing an un- information. used well of debris and filling the well with a special material called grout.Well sealing must be performed by a Minnesota licensed well contractor. About signs for your garage sale s to advertise n Eligibility:Applicants eligible for funding will be reimbursed up to 50%of the well Yyour garage sale ou can put up signs your follow these sealing costs,not to exceed$750 per well.Call to see if you are eligible.Grant money regulations. is limited,and funding may not be applied to previously sealed wels. On your property: Contact:For more information visit the Cost Share Funding web page on Ramsey Limit total signage to eight square Conservation District's website at: feet http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/cd/cost share_funding.htm. Each sign must be six square feet or If you have any questions contact Michael Goodnature,GIS&Conservation Specialist, less 651-266-7274,mike.goodnature@co.ramsey.mn.us. Stay back five feet from property lines •City purchases Hazelnut Park property from Sign cannot be illuminated Trinity Lutheran Church In your neighborhood(on either private or City property) ost joggers and soccer play- Size limited to four square feet ers probably don't realize Height limited to four feet that the soccer field and trail Signs must be at least five feet from entrance to Hazelnut Park actually are the edge of the road on land owned by Trinity Lutheran Only five signs allowed Church.For many years the church Sign must be freestanding and unlit has allowed the City to use part of its Signs are limited to three consecutive property.At the end of June,the City days in any seven day period will purchase nearly 71,500 square feet Get the owner's permission of land from Trinity Lutheran and enter into a formal agreement for shared use of the church's parking lot. What to do with those grass clippings Trinity Lutheran Church and Hazelnut is paying$214,422 for the 71,474 square Do Park are located on New Brighton Road, feet of land. Leave grass clippings on your lawn. between Stowe and Beckman avenues. They contain valuable nutrients for The 12-acre park has a tennis and bas- The City Council also approved new joint your lawn.Consider a mulching ketball court,baseball field,playground, use and maintenance agreements for the mower. picnic shelter,and ice rinks with warming parking lot.The City and park users may Sweep up any clippings that get into house.The City had maintained a soccer use the lot between 8 a.m.and 10 p.m.The the street before they get washed into field on the adjacent church property and agreement is permanent—if the church the storm sewer and deposited in helps maintain the church parking lot in site ever is sold,the new owner will have ponds,lakes,and streams. exchange for public access.The park's to honor the agreement unless the City Compost grass clippings at home or trail entrance and sign also are on church agrees otherwise.The parking lot mainte- at the County compost site,and con- land. nance agreement stipulates that the church tract with your garbage hauler to have will be responsible for snowplowing and clippings picked up In 2009,the church asked the City if it the City will annually pay the church were interested in buying this land.The $1,500 to help with the snowplowing Don't City's Financial Planning and Analysis cost.The City will help fill potholes each Mow grass into the street(unless you Committee,and the Parks,Trails,and spring.When the lot needs to be recon- sweep it up). Recreation Committee both recommended structed the City will help pay the cost. Dump grass clippings into ponds, the purchase.The City Council approved lakes,or streams,or public property. the purchase agreement April 25.The City 5 Put grass clippings into the garbage.