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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-07-WS ~ ~~HILLS Approved: November 13, 2007 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION OCTOBER 22,2007; 7:00 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Councilmember Grant called to order the City Council Worksession meeting at 7:10 p.m. Present: Councihnembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and David McClung Absent: Mayor Stan Harpstead Also Present: City Administrator Michelle Wolfe; City Planner James Lehnhoff; Planner 1 Meagan Beekman; Planning Commissioners Clay Larson, Andy Holewa, David Sand, Roberta Thompson, and Clayton Zimmerman; and Recording Secretary Dianna Wise. 2. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councihnember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried (4-0). 3. AGENDA ITEMS A. Old City Hall Visioninl! Process City Planner Lehnhoff reported staff was directed to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) on July 9, 2007 for the sale of the former Arden Hills City HalllPublic Works facility located at 1450 West Highway 96. He stated staff is conducting a visioning process to determine the type of development desired and to create design criteria for the RFP. He explained the visioning process would involve Arden Hills' residents, the City Council, Planning Commission, and the Economic Development Commission. He stated ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - October 22, 2007 2 this is a brainstorming session to gather information and later begin a framework for the RFP. Councihnember McClung questioned whether the brainstorming session should be held prior to holding meetings with the City as a whole. He stated he is worried that this might inhibit what is said later. Councilmember Grant commented he believes the brainstorming is putting the cart before the horse. He stated decisions would not be made at this meeting; therefore, it should be in preparation for the meetings held with the city. City Planner Lehnhoff reaffirmed this is a brainstorming session, there are no bad or wrong ideas and no decisions are made tonight. City Administrator Wolfe stated this is an opportunity to list opportunities and not debate ideas. City Planner Lehnhoff requested Councihnembers and Planning Commission members write down their top five concerns and/or ideas and turn them in to him. Mr. Elwood Caldwell, 1451 Arden View Drive, represented the Arden Hills North Homes Association, Inc. presented their concerns with the zoning designation for property located next to this development. Discussion ensued. The City Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners brainstormed ideas for old city hall visioning and future discussion items. Brainstorm List: . Residential Zoning . City Park . Prepare the RFP . Drainage - be sensitive . Highest & Best use = dense . Traffic - Hamline is a problem . Access Points . Density (Housing & Commercial . Neighborhood Businesses . Alternative uses - Senior Center . Medical Building . Gathering Place . Something that meets the active living principles/healthy living . Gazebo/Courtyard area . R3 andNB ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION ~ October 22, 2007 3 . Affordable Housing . Life Cycle Housing . Workforce Housing . Service Road . Typical office hour commercial . Tree Preservation . Consider options outside ofR3 or NB . Consider Financial trade-offs . Consider Options in the RFP . Dual Zoning of the Property . Green Buffer . Developer required to leave green area . Approach Daycare Center for interest in additional land . Church or other non-generating uses ~ non-profits . Assisted Living Center/Nursing Home . Retain portion ofland as City Owned . Use for future public works needs . Less desirable options: o Industry of any kind o No late night lighting Future Discussion Items: . Public notice for community meeting for brainstorming. . Future of Ham line? . How much money does City want? . Access through the existing town home association. . Look at traffic solutions that come up with all projects. . Understand affordable demand, life cycle and/or workforce housing. . Consider a service road. . Understand the on-going tax impact of development options. . Traffic analysis for different types of uses. Consensus to send post card notice to residents north of Hwy 694 and information on the website and news releases. B. Tree Preservation Ordinance Planner Beekman presented the consideration of the tree preservation ordinance. She stated staff would like to discuss the goals of a tree preservation ordinance as well as potential impacts on the environment and property owners. She directed the City Council and Planning Commissioners through the memo in the packet. Discussion ensued. Brainstorm List: ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - October 22, 2007 4 . Use Minnesota Guide to Developing a Tree Preservation Use Minnetonka ordinance as a benchmark Overuse of variances - trees as excuse Protect existing trees/mature trees Do not want tree preservation to prohibit development Use expertise oflandscapers Enforcement tools Tree survey plan Encourage planting of new trees Appropriate spacing of trees relative to construction/buildings Use of Arborist Protected areas Tree variety replacement ratio Heritage/Landmark trees Impact of cluster building on trees Work in tandem with Zoning Ordinance/Codes Incentives to encourage saving trees Define excluded trees Tree survey requirement Exemptions Construction mitigation Commercial vs. Residential requirements Caliper inch/diameter measurement Percentages (basing tree mitigation on percentage oftrees lost) Trees guide the footprint Ensure Ordinance encourages development-leniency Maintenance Permitting Grandfathering defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consensus reached to direct staff to draft a Tree Preservation Ordinance for consideration by City Council and Planning Commission. C. National Guard Property Councilmember Holden presented the idea for consideration for a Community Center at a cost of approximately 12.5% to the City. This would be a joint use facility for the National Guard and the City. Discussion ensued. Consensus reached to direct staff to obtain a clearly defined model, more specific information regarding the cost to the city and the availability for City use. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - October 22, 2007 5 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS City Administrator Wolfe mentioned the Care-A-Van service for seniors. This service has been discontinued. City Administrator Wolfe reported the County received notice it would receive federal funding for Highway 96. City Administrator Wolfe reported that patios to accommodate smokers are being built by bars/restaurants without building permits. She stated reference to alcohol consumption out of doors must be researched also. 5. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Councilmem olden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a adjourn t ,e meeting at 9:23 p.m. The motion carried (4-0). (I~ MJJcQttL ichelle Wolfe City Administrator