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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-24 EDC Agenda Packet Chair: • Frank Cupery Commissioners: • Rob Williams • Ted Brausen • Frank Cupery • Julie Gronquist • Jud Murchie • Sreya Subramanian • Katherine Schneider • Bobby Bonine Council Liaison: Councilmember Emily Rousseau Arden Hills Economic Development Commission Meeting February 28, 2024 1245 W. Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 651.792.7800 www.cityofardenhills.org City Vision A strong community that values our unique environment, our fiscal soundness, and our tradition as a desirable city in which to live, work, and play. Agenda Regular Economic Development Commission Convenes 7:30 AM This meeting can be accessed remotely by joining via Zoom To join the Zoom Meeting, click this link (or copy and paste it into a new browser): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89025010074 Call to Order 1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 10, 2024 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Sign Code Review – Freestanding Signs B. Economic Development Commission W ork Plan C. Twin Cities North Chamber Conversation 5. COMMENTS AND REPORTS A. Report from the City Council B. Economic Development Commission Comments 6. ADJOURNMENT A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. Meeting materials are available online at: http://www.cityofardenhills.org/agendacenter CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JANUARY 10, 2024 7:30 A.M. – ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Chair Frank Cupery, Commissioners Jud Murchie, Rob Williams, Julie Gronquist, Sreya Subramanian, Bobby Bonine and Youth Commissioner Katherine Schneider Absent: Commissioner Ted Brausen Also Present: Council Liaison Emily Rousseau, Community Development Director Jessica Jagoe, and Senior Planner Elena Fransen 1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chair Cupery added an introduction of the new Commissioner. Commissioner Bonine introduced himself as a resident of Arden Hills who recently moved his finance business to Arden Hills. The agenda was unanimously approved. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 25, 2023 The minutes were unanimously approved. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. 2024 Chair and Vice Chair Senior Planner Fransen stated the City Council had appointed Frank Cupery as Chair at the last Council meeting. Commissioners Schneider and Subramanian had indicated interest in the Vice- Chair position and confirmed their continued interest in the role. The Vice-Chair would act as Chair at the meetings when the Chair is unable to attend; they would need to be prepared to facilitate the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Gronquist and seconded by Commissioner Murchie to appoint Commissioners Schneider and Subramanian as Co-Vice-Chairs. Motion passed unanimously. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 2 B. 2024 Meeting Frequency Chair Cupery reviewed the upcoming meeting dates. Additional meeting dates could be March 27 and May 22, or meeting monthly through 2024. After discussion, it was decided to have monthly meetings through June and re-evaluate dates at that time. Commissioner Murchie mentioned that meeting at the end of July could be difficult for people with summer plans. Commissioner Williams mentioned that meeting December 26 would also be a difficult date. A motion was made by Commissioner Gronquist and seconded by Commissioner Williams to add meetings on March 27 and May 22. Motion passed unanimously. C. Economic Development Commission Work Plan Chair Cupery explained that Staff was asking the EDC to discuss the creation of a work plan for the next several years. Staff had previously shared tasks that the City Council had identified for the EDC and should be incorporated into the work plan; Sign Code review, involvement with the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce Manufacturing Cohort and Twin Cities Gateway, and establishing action items based on Chapter 8 – Economic Development from the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Senior Planner Fransen said other topics that had come up were newsletters, welcome packets for new businesses, links to businesses/Business directory on City website, engagement emails/Listserv and to conduct a survey of existing businesses. She asked what other tasks they would like to add to the list and how they’d like to prioritize them. Commissioner Williams asked if there was a charter for the EDC. Commissioner Bonine read the description of the EDC from the City website. Community Development Director Jagoe said expanding on that description as well as the Commission’s mission and goal could be part of their work plan items. Staff could distribute the Economic Development chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. That document is required to be updated every 10 years. They are about halfway through the cycle and she anticipates the planning process will start in approximately two years. Commissioner Williams said he wanted to make sure there was an end purpose; that Council and staff would use the work they do in some way. Council Liaison Rousseau said she would like to do strategic planning as a City Council and she wanted to have the Committees and Commissions have feedback into that process. She thought they might want to come up with a top three list. Senior Planner Fransen said they might want to have a “why” for doing an analysis of the existing businesses in the city or other items they identify. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 3 Commissioner Williams thought a welcome packet was outside of the description of the Commission, although he liked the idea of doing one. He stated that he thinks it would be more helpful to learn what other businesses want to see from the City. Council Liaison Rousseau said she was frustrated with the area of the old Pace building, Arby’s and the unnamed grocery. She was hoping the Commission could identify ways to support that area with future development and opportunities. Commissioner Murchie said he would like to see pedestrian bridges between the sections of businesses. He wondered if they could work with Parks and Trails to see if there were ways to connect businesses. Commissioner Gronquist felt the first thing they should do is a survey of the businesses and she would be happy to take the initiative to write a survey and have the Commission review it. A survey would let businesses know the Commission existed, they were being listened to and give them an opportunity to voice what they would like. She asked about contact information for businesses in Arden Hills that is collected for business licensing. Senior Planner Fransen explained that the City does have some contact information for businesses though the contact might not be the most appropriate respondent to a business survey. She elaborated on what a survey could look like to be focused and support a particular initiative. Commissioner Gronquist said as a business owner she felt there was no communication from the City and she would like to see business website links on the online business list and it divided into categories. She mentioned residents not being able to see what businesses are located in the city on the City website. She would also like for there to be a way for business owners to connect to other businesspeople within Arden Hills other than through the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Murchie mentioned that some people use Facebook pages to ask questions about where to find things in Arden Hills. Commissioner Bonine said location was a big reason for him to move his business to Arden Hills. He wanted to understand the EDC’s purpose so they have a clear ask in a survey. He felt it would be helpful to understand what items the EDA and Council are looking for feedback on so they’re not spending time on something they’re not being asked to do. He wondered what authority they have on certain areas. He didn’t have knowledge on what things they have the ability to implement within the Commission versus having to go through the Council. An inventory list of businesses that shows how many businesses there are in Arden Hills, and what type of businesses they are would be helpful, and that could be the foundation of a network for consumers and businesses. Community Development Director Jagoe stated that Councilmember Rousseau asked the City Council to start discussing the tasks of the Economic Development Authority (EDA). She felt the role of the EDA might be more toward redevelopment; what areas do we have that are pocket vacant business storefronts and how can the City attract new businesses and possibly financially incentivize business development and redevelopment. That is a parallel process right now, along with the EDC goal setting. The EDA may be on the Council work session agenda in February. She thought the role the EDC had in the past was networking between existing businesses, including opportunities to promote and support them, while the EDA would work on redevelopment opportunities and how can the City attract and support financially. The EDC might put things on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 4 their goals and objectives for Staff and they will have to set priorities on those items based on availability of staff resources and Council direction. Council Liaison Rousseau felt if they put together something like a communications plan that should be shared with the Council. She would love to start a procedure where every first quarter the Committees and Commissions create their goals for the year and bring them to the Council. The EDA has previously talked about welcome to Arden Hills signs but that’s really all they’ve done recently. She would like to have the EDA membership expanded and have one person from the EDC and one from the Planning Commission join the EDA. Commissioner Murchie said it seemed like there was overlap with the two committees. He felt if they support the businesses that are here that will help to attract other businesses. Commissioner Williams thought a survey would help let them know what resources businesses want. Maybe they could piggyback with Shoreview or another city? He recalled that a welcome packet was made a few years ago that they gave to new businesses. Senior Planner Fransen summarized what she was hearing was they wanted communication with current businesses and a plan for future businesses saying here’s what’s available and learning what should be available, and being able to take that information back to the Council/EDA to see how the commission could support businesses in the future. She reviewed what was in Chapter 8 from the Comprehensive Plan which was about Economic Development. She also felt there was overlap with other committees and commissions. Commissioner Bonine wondered if it would it be possible to come up with a communications plan outline and have everyone take a topic; surveys, map, welcome kit, vendor directory etc. They could take it before the EDA and City Council before they spend a lot of time on it. He would be happy to put together an outline. Commissioner Subramanian thought having an event just for business owners to network might be a good idea. Council Liaison Rousseau mentioned that the PTRC had suggested having an open house with residents, they could consider having a meet and greet with businesses to get to know each other. Senior Planner Fransen said that could also be aligned with an opportunity to review and discuss results from a survey. She asked what kind of event the business owners in the room would show up for. Commissioner Gronquist said she would wonder if she showed up would anyone else. She thought it could be two different type of events, with just businesses or businesses with the community invited to make a connection. It would also depend on if the business was new or established, customer centric or not, and type of business. Chair Cupery asked if there would there be a way to wrap all of those things together? Commissioner Murchie thought there may be some sequential steps like first defining what the EDC is and letting people know they are there and what they’re doing. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 5 Commissioner Gronquist felt that was why a survey could really help because they could start with an explanation of who they are and what they do and why these questions are being asked. Commissioner Murchie suggested they think through how they want to define this based on what’s already in the plan and that could help frame up the actions they want to take, like a survey. He thought they should make it very clear what they do, possibly in the form of a mission statement. Commissioner Williams said maybe they could try to write what they envision what it could be in three years’ time. Such as: they have monthly meetings with business owners in Arden Hills, they have consumers come in every quarter for a business showcase, and they have a welcome packet. So, they decide the things they want to do each year, which feed into the three-year plan. All of that could be run by the Council. Commissioner Williams asked if there was a mechanism for a business to communicate with the EDC. Commissioner Gronquist said the meeting was public, they could come to it. Community Development Director Jagoe said the City doesn’t have anything set up for people to communicate directly with committees and commissions. They would email the Community Development department’s email, the general city email or a staff person directly. Commissioner Murchie thought if they could identify their strategy of where they’re trying to go by the end of the year and get it approved by the Council they could start executing the items under the strategy. He thought what Commissioner Williams was saying made a lot of sense. Commissioner Bonine agreed that before they jump into putting something on the website or a survey they need to understand who they are, and the goal is to facilitate positive interaction with the business community. He thought an inventory of businesses was a good idea before they make a strategic plan; to get an understanding of who is the business community, how is it organized, and who are the people so they know who their audience is. He felt the best interaction was when someone physically come out to visit, rather than a website list that he doesn’t know exists. Commissioner Murchie thought they could go to businesses to introduce the Commission. Commissioner Williams said there was once a very involved survey and they would go out two by two to interview businesses and fill out the survey. He did go to a few businesses and they appreciated having a connection to the City. He gave examples of issues that were solved for some of those businesses because of the interviews. He thought a vendor list would be helpful to give them. Commissioner Bonine liked the idea of having a map of businesses they could share. Council Liaison Rousseau said when the City Council is invited to ribbon cuttings they’d like to share that with the Commission so they can attend. Discussion ensued regarding the Twin Cities North Chamber and Business Council. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 6 Commissioner Bonine wasn’t sure that trying to recreate things the Chamber already has was productive, but following what they do to connect with businesses would be helpful. Senior Planner Fransen noted that John LeTourneau from the Business Cohort had come in to speak with the Commission. She thought they could make a map of businesses on Google maps. Commissioner Bonine described the map someone had created in his neighborhood. He asked if staff would have resources to put the businesses list into a map format. Community Development Director Jagoe shared that there is not a GIS mapping tech on staff so there is not a designated resource at this time. Council Liaison Rousseau asked if staff can ask how many Arden Hills businesses are part of the Chamber and if there are any cost barriers. Commissioner Bonine said he’s been pleasantly surprised at the different events the Chamber hosts and the information they share. Commissioner Murchie felt that was a good example of someone who came to him and said we have some tools we want you to be aware of. Was there a corollary that they as the EDC could do? He thought the welcome packet could be sent as an email and most people would click and be done, but if someone came in to talk there would be a face to connect with. Commissioner Bonine thought they should call out the highlights of what the EDA and EDC are working on, maybe what’s on the City Council’s mind and formulate that into a reason to stop out to tell businesses what is happening. All the information the Chamber shared was public but having someone come by personally to tell them how it would impact them felt like they were a priority, even though it was only a two-minute visit. Senior Planner Fransen summarized the comments from the Commissioners. She said the outline from Commissioner Bonine would be helpful to share in advance of the next meeting, Commissioner Gronquist could start drafting survey questions. Chair Cupery stated he heard items of interest were a survey, improve the business directory, welcome and connect businesses to the community, a business open house event, establish a mission and objective for the EDC, and establish connection of EDC with business community. Community Development Director Jagoe asked if items being worked on for the February meeting could be given to staff by the end of January so they could be part of the agenda packet. Commissioner Gronquist added she would also like to see a business highlighted in each issue of the monthly resident newsletter, and to let businesses know they can have ribbon cuttings. She mentioned that this has also been an avenue to promote existing businesses if representatives reach out to City staff working on the newsletter. A motion was made by Commissioner Gronquist and seconded by Chair Cupery to request City Council add a business highlight in each edition of the Arden Hills Notes newsletter. Community Development Director Jagoe noted that she anticipates there will be a question of how the Commission will decide which business is featured. If they get 100 requests, how will ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 7 staff pick which ones are featured? She wondered if they should think about it more and discuss again at the February meeting. Decisions about space available in the newsletter go through the Communications Coordinator. Commissioner Williams said that is assuming they are sending out mass communications asking people to submit requests to be in the newsletter, which is different than the Communications Coordinator selecting businesses to highlight. Community Development Director Jagoe said that was correct and that was why she would like direction from EDC and confirmation from the Council before they put the Communications Coordinator in the position of picking a business. It could become why did staff pick X business and not Z. She said if they discuss at the February meeting it will give staff time to talk with the Communications Coordinator to see what space may be available. Commissioner Bonine asked if it would be possible to have the Communications Coordinator at a future meeting to discuss the newsletter. Commissioner Murchie added they still need to define who they are and maybe they should start with that. Some of the things they’ve talked about fall under a communications plan, others are outreach strategies. He felt that before they bring other people in or go out and meet people they should frame up the broad buckets. Community Development Director Jagoe said staff could help get the survey ready to be presented in February. At that meeting they could also discuss the Comp Plan chapter, and discuss the newsletter space again. They could also get a business list circulated in the meantime. Commissioner Gronquist withdrew her motion. D. Sign Code Review Update Senior Planner Fransen indicated that at the previous meeting they discussed wall signage, and the plan is to also discuss freestanding signs. They will focus less on flexibility of the past and focus more on reviewing the code and make recommendations. She will bring it to the February meeting for discussion. 4. COMMENTS AND REPORTS A. Report from the City Council Council Liaison Rousseau thanked Commissioner Cupery for chairing his first meeting and welcomed Commissioner Bonine to the EDC. Council Liaison Rousseau reported the Rice Creek Commons term sheet with a density of 1,960 was approved by the City Council. Some flex-office was changed to residential. The current estimate is that change will reduce traffic by about 3%. The next real step will be the Master Development Plan. A big box store had submitted a bid for Outlot A but they were second choice for the location; the County will be voting on the sale to a company proposing a corporate campus that is estimating between 800-1200 jobs. A big box retailer is still interested in moving into one of the other commercial areas but she wasn’t sure how the conversations would go with them ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 8 regarding net-zero. The developer said Whole Foods was also interested in going into the area. It sounds like it will be 2027 before buildings go up. Council Liaison Rousseau said State of the City is on February 10 at 10:00 at City Hall. Postcards will be sent to businesses and it will be in the newsletter. Council Liaison Rousseau noted they have openings on the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee, two positions available on the EDC, and 1-2 openings on the Planning Commission. B. Economic Development Commission Comments Community Development Director Jagoe said there were six responses to the County’s request for development on the thumb parcel (Outlot A). The County Board authorized in a closed session to move forward with the JDA preferred developer and it should go to the Board for approval on January 16. The purchaser will be made public once the packet is published. Council Liaison Rousseau mentioned there is also a 62-acre piece referred to as Primer-Tracer that needs clean up. A developer did come in to talk to the Council about warehousing space. That company has done clean up on other properties. It is a challenging piece of property due to no existing water lines and an easement for access. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m. Page 1 of 7 EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3A MEMORANDUM DATE: February 28, 2024 TO: Economic Development Commission Members FROM: Elena Fransen, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Sign Code Review – Freestanding Signage Requested Action The City is asking the Economic Development Commission to review and consider the regulations in Chapter 12 – Sign Code of the City’s Code of Ordinances and their application for permanent freestanding signage. This review is of commercial message signage specifically and does not include residential signage. Background Review of the Chapter 12 – Sign Code of the City’s Code of Ordinance has been tasked to the Economic Development Commission by the City Council. The EDC can consider how the sign code could be improved upon its current form. At the October 23, 2023 meeting, the EDC reviewed the sign code for wall signage and discussed ways to improve the language based on previous requests for flexibility. Some takeaways from the discussion were that the sign code should be easily understood by business owners and be equitable to businesses. There was interest shown to base permitted wall sign area on the size of the building and the wall area. Commission members suggested that the sign code could be made simpler and more approachable for businesses. Freestanding Sign Regulations Types of Freestanding Signs A freestanding sign is a self-supporting sign usually held up by uprights placed in the ground or any other base that is anchored to the ground. There are multiple types of freestanding signs. As defined in the Arden Hills Sign Code, a monument sign is a freestanding sign with its sign face mounted on the ground or mounted on a base at least as wide as the sign and is less than sixteen (16) feet in height. A pole sign is a freestanding sign that is elevated off the ground by one or more poles. Page 2 of 7 Monument Sign Pole Sign The Shoreview Sign Code provides definitions for individual letter-style sign, ground sign, pylon sign and cabinet style sign. An individual letter-style sign has a sign face that is opaque to which letters/graphics are affixed, cut out of, cut into or resemble such. A ground sign is a free-standing sign with a face mounted on a base 40 to 70 percent of the width of the face with a height of no more than 6 feet. A pylon sign, similar to the Arden Hills pole sign, is any permanent freestanding sign whose sign face is mounted upon a sign base that is less than 40 percent of the width of the face and the height exceeds six feet. A cabinet sign consists of a translucent sign face to which the lettering/graphic message is painted onto or molded onto. The City of New Brighton uses the definition of ground signs for any stationary sign placed upon the ground and not attached to a building, excluding billboards. This is in place of a freestanding sign definition. The Arden Hills sign code defines dynamic display signs as signs “that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physical removing and replacing the sign or its components.” In Arden Hills, dynamic display signs are prohibited except as menu board signs that meet the requirements of Section 1240.04 of the sign code and that it is for a drive-through restaurant use only. A menu board sign is defined as “a freestanding exterior sign adjacent to the drive-through lane at a drive-through facility that identifies items for sale at the facility and their associated prices for customers.” The Shoreview Sign Code defines a message center sign similarly to the Arden Hills dynamic display signs definition and New Brighton has the same definition for dynamic display signs. Page 3 of 7 Amount of Freestanding Signage Permitted The amount of permitted freestanding, non-residential commercial message signage in the Arden Hills Sign Code is a maximum total sign copy area in square feet. The total area is established for each Sign District with the largest maximum being 100 square feet in Sign District 5 – Lexington South of 694 and the lowest maximum being 25 square feet in Sign District 7 – I-Flex & Gateway, Non-Frontage Commercial. The permitted square footage for freestanding sign copy area varies across frontages and sign districts. Sign copy area is calculated using one side of the sign. Per the sign code, the total sign area of a freestanding sign in Arden Hills shall not exceed 1.5 times the permitted sign copy area of a freestanding sign. The total sign area includes all sign copy, graphics, decorative features, borders, and structural supports except for poles. In the monument sign pictured above, the copy area includes the panels with the business information. The total sign area includes the panels as well as the brick base and sides. Freestanding Signage Regulations by Sign Districts Some Arden Hills sign districts are applicable to multiple zoning districts while others are specific to one zoning district. Sign Districts 4 and 5 have additional standards which require freestanding signs to be of the monument type with copy resting on and supported by a solid base of brick or rock-faced block similar to the main structure on the site. The material of the base must extend at least one-half way up the sides of the sign face. Pole freestanding signs are not permitted in Sign Districts 4 and 5. All signs applicable to the TCAAP property are covered under Section 11 of the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC). Freestanding sign maximum height and lighting are regulated by sign district. Signs can be as tall as 16 feet in Sign District 5 with other sign districts permitting a smaller maximum height. Sign lighting is permitted in Sign Districts 4 through 8 though permitted lighting types vary among the other districts. External lighting is permitted in all remaining sign districts while backlit illumination is limited to Sign Districts 4, 5, and 6. Internal illumination is permitted in Sign Districts 4, 5, 6, and 8. 1240.01 Regulation by Sign District. District Description 1 All residential properties zoned R-1 or R-2. 2 All non-residential uses in the R-1 through R-4 zoning districts. 3 All residential properties zoned R-3 and R-4. 4 All properties fronting on County Road E east of Highway 51 except for those properties with frontage on Lexington Avenue. Page 4 of 7 5 All properties fronting on Lexington Avenue South of Interstate 694. 6 All properties zoned for commercial or industrial use fronting on Lexington Avenue north of Interstate 694, properties along Highway 96, and properties located in the B-1 zoning district. 7 All properties in the I-Flex, Gateway Business, or other commercial or industrial district without frontage on a roadway designated above. 8 All properties zoned Neighborhood Business. 9 The parts of the TCAAP area not fronting on Highway 96. Freestanding Sign Regulations by Location and Frontage The required setback for freestanding signs is 5 feet from property lines. A property is allowed one freestanding sign up to the maximum permitted sign copy area unless the property fronts more than one public street. In that instance, the property is permitted an additional sign for each street front, provided each additional sign is not greater than half the size of the maximum total sign area permitted in the sign district. A multi-tenant parcel is considered one parcel for freestanding signs. The same regulations for a single-tenant parcel would apply with one (1) sign permitted per frontage. If there are multiple tenant sites, the permitted freestanding sign area is allocated by the property owner among tenants. Requests for Flexibility from the Sign Code For a sign standard adjustment and sign flexibility to be approved, the applicant must satisfy Subdivision 1 or Subdivision 2 in the below criteria and must satisfy Subdivision 3: Subd. 1 There are site conditions which require a sign adjustment to allow the sign to be reasonably visible from a street immediately adjacent to the site; Subd. 2 The sign adjustment will allow a sign of exceptional design or a style that will enhance the area or that is more consistent with the architecture and design of the site; Subd. 3 The sign adjustment will not result in a sign that is inconsistent with the purpose of the zoning district in which the property is located or the current land use. Staff reviewed planning cases between 2002 and 2023 for applications that included flexibilities requested for freestanding signs. Seven (7) examples were found with flexibility requested for increased sign copy area, increased sign area, increased sign height, additional freestanding signs, and lighting type. In summary, increased sign copy area was the most common freestanding sign flexibility requested, particularly in Sign District 5. Requests ranged from 10 to 72 additional square feet above the permitted 100 square feet. Overall, more flexibility was typically given for additional wall sign copy area than for additional freestanding sign copy area. As indicated in the section Amount of Freestanding Signage Permitted, total area of freestanding signs shall not exceed 1.5 times the permitted sign copy area of a freestanding sign. Staff’s review identified that requests for additional sign area were based on the maximum sign copy area allowed in the sign district rather than the requested sign copy area. An example would be if a developer of a property in Sign District 5 proposed a sign area of 150 square feet with sign copy area of 70 square feet. The maximum permitted sign area for this copy area is 105 square feet. The proposed Page 5 of 7 sign area would exceed what is permitted based on the 1.5 times the sign copy area formula though the sign copy area would meet requirements. Flexibility would need to be granted for the proposed sign area of 150 square feet. In the reviewed examples, requests for additional freestanding signs and increased sign height were most often made for multi-tenant properties. Internal lighting was requested for a sign in a sign district that only permitted external lighting. Other Cities Shoreview The City of Shoreview sign code allows for freestanding signs in all of its zoning districts besides the city’s Tower zoning district. Each principal structure is entitled to one freestanding sign unless the site adjoins two or more roadways, in which case the site can have two freestanding signs. There is not a specified size for the second freestanding sign relative to the first sign. The code distinguishes between individual letter signs and cabinet-style signs with each including monument, ground, and pylon sign types. Permitted sign area and sign height are a factor of gross floor area of principal structure and style of sign (individual letter or cabinet- style). No pylon sign is permitted for buildings larger than 100,000 square feet and neither are cabinet-style pylon signs permitted for buildings larger than 50,001 square feet. The maximum permitted sign area and height in Shoreview is 150 square feet and 20 feet tall for an individual letter sign of the monument type for properties with a floor area of greater than 100,000 square feet. Permitted sign height and area decrease as gross floor area decreases. Signs for highway commercial development sites along I-694 and I-35W can be increased up to two times the permitted sign area and up to 50 percent the permitted sign height through a Conditional Use Permit or Planned Unit Development. This is applicable to principal structures under 100,000 square feet. Signs shall be placed outside of easements and at least five feet from property lines and at least 75 feet of separation shall exist between all freestanding signs. Freestanding signs may have internal or external lighting, and the code includes general guidelines for the lighting of signage. Multi-tenant parcels are subject to the same requirements for freestanding sign copy area as single parcels. Shoreview’s sign code allows for freestanding message center signs, which are defined similarly to dynamic display signs. Message center signs are not restricted to a particular use within Shoreview’s sign code. Overall, Shoreview’s sign code for freestanding signs regulates sign size and type based on the size of the property’s principal structure. These regulations are applicable to all zoning districts where freestanding signs are permitted. A distinct element of this sign code is that freestanding signs cannot be within 75 feet of another freestanding sign, with the regulation of one sign depending on the location of other freestanding signs. New Brighton In the City of New Brighton, ground signs are permitted in each of its zoning districts. A single ground sign is permitted per street frontage and there are no established standards for additional ground signs. The greatest maximum sign copy area is permitted in the B-3 Commercial District with up to 64 square feet. Outside of residential districts, ground signs can be up to 20 feet tall though signs must be set back 10 feet from property lines minimum. Signs in industrial districts Page 6 of 7 must be setback 13.5 feet from property lines. Ground signs with frontage along a freeway can have a total sign copy area of 170 square feet and a 35-foot height. The New Brighton sign code does not regulate the way that a sign is lit, whether internally, externally, or backlit. In the New Brighton sign code, multi-tenant parcels are subject to the same number, size, height, and setback requirements as single parcel properties. A dynamic sign in conformance with the ground sign regulations is permitted by the New Brighton Sign Code and dynamic signs are not limited to restaurant drive-through uses. Overall, New Brighton’s sign code for ground signs regulates for smaller signs with a taller permitted height, with more location restrictions. The code is more specific about the light emitted by a sign’s illumination rather than how the sign is illuminated. Comparison Summary Arden Hills Shoreview New Brighton Lowest Maximum sign copy area 25 square feet 40 square feet 35 square feet Highest Maximum sign copy area 100 square feet 150 square feet 64 square feet (Freeway 170 square feet) Lowest Maximum sign height 8 feet 12 feet 20 feet Highest Maximum sign height 16 feet 25 feet 20 feet (Freeway 35 feet) Sign setback requirements 5-foot setback 5-foot setback, 75 feet from all freestanding signs 10-foot setback Lighting regulations Internal, External, and Backlit regulated by Sign District General regulations, Internal and external permitted Regulated by luminance levels For all three cities, multi-tenant parcels are regulated in the same way as the parcel is treated as a single parcel with one permitted freestanding sign per frontage. Another similarity is allowing for a second freestanding sign when a property has frontage on two streets. The Arden Hills sign code includes more specific requirements for the size of a second sign. Similarly, the Arden Hills sign code includes design standards, particularly for Sign Districts 4 and 5, while the other sign codes are less specific with design standards. Shoreview does identify some instances based on building size when certain sign styles and types are not permitted. The commercial message sign copy area permitted in Arden Hills is comparable to the other cities with a range from 25 square feet to 100 square feet across sign districts. The range of permitted sign height is the lowest in Arden Hills. All three sign codes allow for freestanding signs to be lit though the Arden Hills sign code prohibits certain lighting types in multiple districts. Arden Hills limits dynamic display signs to menu board signs for drive-through restaurant uses. The sign codes for Shoreview and New Brighton allow for dynamic display and message center signs regardless of the principal structure’s use. Page 7 of 7 Discussion The EDC should discuss and provide comments on the application of the Arden Hills sign code freestanding signage regulations. Some considerations include – - Types of lighting for freestanding signs - Freestanding sign copy area, sign area, and height - Regulating a second freestanding sign - Dynamic display signs for uses other than drive-through restaurant Next Steps Staff will put together comments from discussion and draft a summary to be shared at a future meeting. Summary comments will be communicated to the City Council. Attachments None Page 1 of 2 EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3B MEMORANDUM DATE: February 28, 2024 TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Elena Fransen, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Economic Development Commission Work Plan Discussion Requested Action Staff requests the members of the Economic Development Commission to continue the discussion about an EDC work plan. The EDC is invited to comment on the drafted version of an EDC work plan. Background At the January 10, 2024 EDC meeting, commission members discussed initiatives and strategies for the commission’s work plan. Some ideas included a business survey, business directory with a map, business highlights in the City Newsletter, a business welcome packet, community event for business networking as well as a community event for residents to learn about local businesses. The vision and mission of the Arden Hills EDC came up several times. Support was voiced to establish a vision and mission as a foundation for the EDC work plan. Members of the EDC asked to review the economic development chapter in the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Economic Development and Redevelopment (Attachment A) establishes a goal of “Promote the development, redevelopment, and maintenance of a viable, innovative, and diverse business environment serving Arden Hills and the metropolitan area.” This goal can be used as a starting point for the vision and mission of the EDC. Chapter 8 also includes a list of policies to achieve the stated goal, many of which relate to the ideas shared at the January 10 discussion. Section 8.2 of Chapter 8 states that the EDC “was established to facilitate positive interaction with the business community and to advise the City Council and Economic Development Authority on economic development, redevelopment, and related community development issues.” Staff has drafted the EDC Work plan template (Attachment B) with the Chapter 8 goal, mission statement for the EDC, and several goal policies incorporated into the structure. Page 2 of 2 Discussion Staff recommends starting the discussion with a review of the drafted work plan as this will be the working document moving forward. Review of drafted EDC Work Plan - Any comments on drafted vision and mission statement? - Suggested changes? Twin Cities North Chamber John Connelly, President of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, will be joining the EDC meeting for the work plan conversation. John will provide an overview of the Chamber’s programming and offerings to businesses located in Arden Hills. Following the January 10, 2024 EDC meeting, Commissioner Gronquist confirmed with John that 18 Arden Hills businesses belong to the Chamber. Member fees are between $375 and $525 depending on the business’s number of staff. Next Steps Members of the EDC can comment on next steps in the work plan process and should summarize additional information needed to finalize a work plan to be proposed to the City Council. Staff will update the work plan document for the Commission’s review at the March 2024 meeting. At the meeting staff will provide some materials that were referenced after the January 10 discussion to aid in development and refinement of the goals and objectives within the draft EDC Work Plan. Attachments A. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Economic Development and Redevelopment B. Drafted EDC Work Plan template City of Arden Hills – 2040 Comprehensive Plan Approved: November 2019 8-1 8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT Goal: Promote the development, redevelopment, and maintenance of a viable, innovative, and diverse business environment serving Arden Hills and the metropolitan area. To achieve this economic development and redevelopment goal, the following policies are proposed: o Work to create and strengthen existing partnerships between public and private agencies and institutions. o Engage the private sector to encourage development and redevelopment projects that are beneficial to the City and identify incentives or programs where applicable that promote private sector investment. o Encourage communication and cooperation between businesses, educational institutions, and the public sector. o Promote business retention and expansion to enhance the existing economic base and provide applicable and appropriate resources. o Capitalize on existing community strengths, such as location, freeway access, and a well-educated population. o Identify marketing and promotion tools and techniques to attract commercial, office, residential, and industrial uses. o Identify incentives or programs that provide housing choice. Arden Hills has a strong local economy supported by a mix of size and types of businesses with an educated population, desirable residential neighborhoods, a central location in the north part of the metropolitan area, and relatively easy access to the freeway system. With more than 11,000 jobs in 2017, Arden Hills has more jobs than residents. While the City places a high value on its residential neighborhoods, the business community is an important component to the City’s long-term success. The long-term economic health of Arden Hills is not without its challenges. While the City’s economic base is relatively strong, the City recognizes the need to maintain and enhance the economic base over the long-term. Except for the TCAAP redevelopment, the City has few vacant commercial or industrial properties remaining. Furthermore, some of the commercial and industrial buildings may not be cost-effective to convert to other uses and consequently may be nearing obsolescence. Redevelopment in certain parts of the City is almost certain to occur. Economic development and redevelopment is linked to the other chapters of this Comprehensive Plan. Land use, housing, transportation, and public amenities impact the City’s ability to retain its economic base and attract desired development. City of Arden Hills – 2040 Comprehensive Plan Approved: November 2019 8-2 8.1 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) In 1996, the City established the Economic Development Authority (EDA) with the following mission: o Preserve and create jobs; o Enhance the City’s tax base; and, o Promote the general welfare of the people of Arden Hills. Minnesota State Statutes guide the powers of the EDA; however, the EDA is generally able to purchase property, redevelop property, create economic development districts, study economic development needs, and perform other duties related to economic development. The members of the City Council make up the full EDA. The EDA is an important tool in projects where the City seeks to take an active role in purchasing property, redevelopment, and/or public financing of projects. 8.2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (EDC) The Economic Development Commission is a nine member body that advises the City Council on economic development activities. The Commission was established to facilitate positive interaction with the business community and to advise the City Council and Economic Development Authority on economic development, redevelopment, and related community development issues. The Commissioners may be residents or non- resident business representatives; however, at least four of the Commissioners must be Arden Hills’ residents. 8.3 GUIDING PLANS AND REDEVELOPMENT Guiding Plan for the B2 District In 2008, the City accepted the “Guiding Plan for the B2 District.” This Guiding Plan provides a vision for the entire B2 Zoning District, which generally includes those properties along County Road E between Highway 51 and Lexington Avenue, Connelly Avenue, and Pine Tree Drive. The City seeks to promote high-quality redevelopment in this district as the market allows to enhance its value for the overall community. The City and Ramsey County completed infrastructure improvements along County Road E in 2015, including streetscape enhancements and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. TCAAP Master Plan The TCAAP Master Plan was approved by the City in July 2015 and amended in December 2016. The Master Plan will guide the redevelopment of the TCAAP site to achieve the City’s goals of high development and design standards, defined residential City of Arden Hills – 2040 Comprehensive Plan Approved: November 2019 8-3 neighborhoods and commercial districts linked by streets, trails, and sidewalks, energy resiliency and sustainability, and ample parks and open space. Commercial, Industrial, and Higher Education Study In September 2017, the City accepted the “Commercial, Industrial, and Higher Education Study” report. The study examined the existing commercial and industrial climate in the community, the plans of Bethel University and the University of Northwestern, the existing zoning regulations for higher education uses, and how other communities regulate higher education uses. The findings included: o That the existing commercial and industrial markets are strong in Arden Hills; o There are few sites available for redevelopment; o A mix of employment and consumers uses are important; and, o That Arden Hills has more higher education students per capita than any other community in Minnesota. The result of the study was the creation of an INST – Institutional zoning district for the higher education institutions and the removal of the higher education use from all other zones in Arden Hills. Chapter 6 (Land Use) identifies several other areas where the City may benefit from completing small area plans or reviews of existing zoning regulations. These efforts would also help in improving the economic competiveness of the City. The following list is not intended to be all inclusive and other opportunities may arise over time: o A Guiding Plan for the Red Fox/Grey Fox/Lexington Avenue Area; o Review of B-4 Retail Center Zoning District regulations; o Establishing vison for the developable Gateway Business properties; Review of existing industrial and commercial zones to ensure correct balance of employment versus consumer uses. 8.4 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES In order to advance the policies and ideas identified in this chapter, the following implementation strategies could be used: o Identify the desired long-term mix of businesses. o Identify and promote the market strengths of Arden Hills. o Use the small area planning process or a similar planning process to develop more detailed long-term plans for the business areas to better manage redevelopment as it occurs. o Develop design standards to encourage the construction of high-quality buildings and designs. City of Arden Hills – 2040 Comprehensive Plan Approved: November 2019 8-4 o Work to strengthen and encourage communication and collaboration between businesses and institutions, such as Bethel University, Northwestern College, and other significant hiring establishments. o Promote community education for residents of all ages and utilize the skills of residents where feasible. o Identify infrastructure deficiencies and work to resolve deficiencies. o Identify potential partnerships and/or developments that could enhance the City’s infrastructure and/or quality of life. o Identify constraints to development, redevelopment, and retention. o Evaluate the City’s existing Business Retention and Expansion efforts and establish long-term goals for the program. o Encourage the creation of a pedestrian friendly environment--link major roadways, destinations, and businesses to transit, pathways, and neighborhoods. o Evaluate the land use regulations in the commercial zones to provide flexibility for economic development while requiring high-quality and mixed- use buildings and uses with minimal impact on residential areas. o Develop a database to assist businesses in identifying appropriate and available locations within the City. o Provide information for businesses and developers on the City web site. o Assess the Business Subsidy Criteria and City Public Financing Guidelines as needed to ensure the adopted policies are aligned with community goals. The above strategies should not be considered all-inclusive. New opportunities and strategies should be identified to further advance the City’s economic development and redevelopment goal and policies. DRAFT Arden Hills Economic Development Commission Work Plan Vision Statement - Our economic vision for Arden Hills is… (from Comprehensive Plan) Promote the development, redevelopment, and maintenance of a viable, innova�ve, and diverse business environment serving Arden Hills and the metropolitan area. EDC Mission - The mission of the Arden Hills Economic Development Commission is… (from Comprehensive Plan) to facilitate posi�ve interac�on with the business community and to advise the City Council and Economic Development Authority on economic development, redevelopment, and related community development issues. Goals and Priori�es - Program/Ini�a�ve Descrip�on Strategies/Specifics Goals/Measurables Priority Business Outreach and Support Promote business reten�on and expansion to enhance the exis�ng economic base and provide applicable and appropriate resources. Create accessible business directory for businesses and residents In person connec�ons – welcome visits Business survey Twin Ci�es North Chamber events Events with local businesses Sign Code review Communica�ons and Marke�ng Encourage communica�on and coopera�on between businesses, educa�onal ins�tu�ons, and the public sector. Newsleter features for local businesses Resources on City website for exis�ng and poten�al businesses Partnerships Work to create and strengthen exis�ng partnerships between public and private agencies and ins�tu�ons. Twin Ci�es North Chamber Manufacturing Cohort Twin Ci�es North Chamber of Commerce Twin Ci�es Gateway Ramsey County Workforce Solu�ons Other Ci�es?