Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-07-WS ~ ~~HILLS Approved: October 29, 2007 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 9, 2007; 6:33 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDERJROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City Council Work Session meeting at 6:33 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Hohnes, and David McClung Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Michelle Wolfe and Community Development Director Karen Barton 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM Mayor Harpstead reviewed the agenda. It was agreed the agenda would consist of discussion of TCAAP. The motion carried (5-0). 3. AGENDA ITEMS Councihnember McClung asked ifthere could be an agreement to end the meeting by 8:00 p.m. Mayor Harpstead handed out a spreadsheet illustrating the history of density scenarios in relation to TCAAP redevelopment. He indicated that the light blue indicated Framework Vision numbers, the yellow indicated 2004 numbers Ehlers used for the financial model, the purple illustrates numbers in 2007 prior to Council's request to increase the amount of single family dwellings, and the red represents numbers after the changes in single family units. Councilmember Grant stated that he believes there is a change of approximately 50 acres on residential and 50 acres on commercial between 2005 and 2007. Developable acres, he stated, seem to have decreased by about 100 acres. He indicated that he needs an answer and explanation regarding these 100 acres. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - AUGUST 9, 2007 2 Councihnember McClung asked for clarification on whether the numbers on the Mayor's handout represent mid-points. Mayor Harpstead indicated he used mid-points. He then walked through a series of pie charts and a table showing the various density numbers. Mayor Harpstead indicated that his conclusion was that Arden Hills isn't changing in overall density in terms of acres per use. Councilmember Holmes indicated that she thinks multi-family is increasing too much in a small area. Councilmember McClung stated that he thinks there is a change, in that it would be packing a lot of people in a small space. Councilmember Grant stated that the City needs to work with the developer to come up with a framework vision and financial models. He believes we've increased density on fewer acres, and are not anywhere near what was contemplated in the framework vision. He asked what the financial capacity ofthis proj ect was. He also indicated he will not support a master plan without seeing a financial plan. He also noted that the water feature has diminished. Councihnember Holden noted her concern that Stacie used a metro figure for average per acre density, and that TCAAP, as shown in the composite plan, is higher than that. She also stated that it seems like the consensus is that the water feature is too small. Council's Discussion of the Water Feature Councilmember Grant stated that the water feature should be substantial - more than a NURP pond. Councilmember McClung stated that it should be something along the lines of Centennial Lakes. Councilmember Holden indicated that she doesn't really like the water feature, and would like to see different water features spread throughout the development. She also stated she doesn't see it as being used for ice skating. There was a discussion regarding the amount of parks and the water feature. Council discussed a possible need for more neighborhood parks. There was discussion that some feel the "finger parks" are too concentrated and should be spread out. Councihnember Grant stated his concern with the 45' lots. Councihnember McClung stated that the 45' lots were a non-starter for him. Councihnember Holmes responded that she thinks we should provide some of these smaller lots. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - AUGUST 9, 2007 3 Mayor Harpstead said that he thinks there are too many. He stated he could tolerate 20-30, interspersed throughout. He also said he prefers 50' to 45'. Mayor Harpstead stated that 900 units on 30 acres equates to 30 units per acre. He said he is comfortable with density levels on framework vision, approximately 20 units per acre. Councilmember Grant stated he also has a concern with commercial, in that more development has been squeezed onto fewer acres, and structured parking has been added since the framework vision. After discussion, Council concluded the following: I. Staff should direct Ryan to stop running financial numbers on the composite plan. 2. Council would like to see the composite plan changed to reflect density ratios similar to the framework vision. Council agreed that two members of Council should meet with representatives from Ryan to communicate that Council would like to see the composite plan designed with approximately 1750 housing units accommodating approximately 3800 residents. In a similar fashion, they would like to see commercial on the plan in a ratio similar to the framework vision. Staff was directed to set up the meeting. Staff was also directed to work with Stacie in terms of how this discussion impacts MDA discussions. Councilmember Holden asked a few questions for staffto follow-up: . Stacie to call Councilmember Holden regarding presentations, highlighting differences, and changes in content . Status ofMn/DOT's request for a frontage road through TCAAP . Ramsey County's continued interest in the proposed Athletic Fields Councilmember Hohnes stated that the Communications Committee is working on a consultant for a TCAAP Communications Plan. She stated she is not comfortable with a consultant who is not local. She asked for Stacie to call and follow up on this discussion. City Administrator Wolfe stated that staff is still awaiting comments regarding the 10 and 96 Q&A. 3. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Harpstead adjourned the Wor ion meeting at 8:27 p.m. ~u~~ - Michelle Wolfe City Administrator 1 IMetro-inet. us lardenhills \Admin ICouncillMinutes \ Worksession 12007108-09-07 Approved. doc