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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-07-WS ~ ~~HILLS Approved: 11/26/2007 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION NOVEMBER 13, 2007; 7:40 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City Council Worksession meeting at 7:40 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and David McClung Absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Assistant City Administrator, Noah Simon; Public Works Director, Gregory Hoag; Finance Director, Susan Iverson; and City Planner, James Lehnhoff. 2. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA The agenda was accepted as presented. 3. AGENDA ITEMS A. Planninl! Case #07-018 - Memo 2, Arden Plaza, LLC, 3527 Lexinl!ton Ayenue North, Master Planned Unit Deyelopment, Final PUD for Phase I Preliminary Plat and Final Plat City PlaJmer Lehnhoff reported this was before the Planning Commission in August and September and proposed in October 2007 but pulled from the agenda while the traffic report was reviewed. He stated the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed redevelopment at their November 7,2007, meeting where a vote of 6-1 to recommend denial of the redevelopment proposal to City Council. He stated the meeting did include a full public hearing and there were citizens in attendance that YO iced their opinions. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - November 13, 2007 2 City Planner Lehnhoff stated the City Council W orksession is not meant to be a forum to discuss the Planning Commission's recommendation; rather, the goal of the worksession is to discuss the PUD process and to offer comments, questions, and suggestions about the proposal. He commented this item is scheduled for the November 26, 2007 City Council Meeting. Mayor Harpstead instructed Councilmembers to think of goals and objectives or expectations for the discussion. Councihnember Holden requested they talk about the process of the PUD and what it really means. Councilmember Grant commented he would like the hybrid PUD plan City Planner Lehnhoff referred to explained. Councilmember Hohnes stated she would like the draft to include the consideration of the Walgreens, the grocery store, and the office building relative to traffic issues. Councilmember Grant mentioned he wanted conversation on the level of service. He requested a discussion on the flexibility on a large scale of the PUD and cover what the City has given up versus what it would receive. Councilmember McClung requested a discussion about the PUD philosophy in general as a benefit to the community, relaxing the City's standard on development. Mayor Harpstead requested Council discuss B-2 zone as a district and Council's anticipated direction for this area. Mayor Harpstead reaffirmed that discussion would occur; however, decisions and negotiations would not. City Planner Lehnhoff explained the PUD process, why it is in the code, what it does for the City and the applicant, and gave specifics ofthe project. City Planner Lehnhoff reported the City would receive a sidewalk replacement along Lexington Avenue with pedestrian connections, bike racks, and an enhanced four-sided architecture for the Walgreens building. City Planner Lehnhoff explained that conditions that could be added if they are rational, for example, are landscaping and specific building materials. City Planner Lehnhoff explained the two step process ofthe PUD and the hybrid process. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - November 13, 2007 3 City Planner Lehnhoff explained that the developer is only asking for approval of the final PUD for the Walgreen's store because they do not know who the tenant would be for the other two buildings or the potential architecture. Councilmember McClung clarified that there are different things at different stages of the process. He commented there is a master PUD, the final PUD is for Phase I-Walgreens, and the deyeloper is looking to subdivide the property and sell off the land is why there is a preliminary plat and a final plat. City Planner Lehnhoff replied that was correct. Councilmember Grant questioned whether there would be benefits or issues to have just the sale of the one lot and keep the rest without issuing a final plat for all of them. City Planner Lehnhoff replied he was not sure; however, the applicant could plat out the two lots and then plat the third lot later. Councilmember Holmes asked if the traffic study included the other two buildings and their potential uses. City Planner Lehnhoff replied it was. McClung questioned whether a recommendation for a 50/50 retail was included. City Planner Lehnhoff replied it was. A discussion on retail versus office traffic ensued. City Planner Lehnhoff reported on the green space, landscaping, and parking space management in the plan. He stated a development agreement of who is responsible for maintenance is also part of the plan. He explained that each building in the development is equally responsible for their part of the maintenance. It is similar to a townhome association. City Planner Lehnhoff discussed levels of service at an intersection. He explained it was looked at the impact on the public road at peak hours and traffic light mitigation. He mentioned the report includes the impact at the two intersections going into and out of the development and traffic light waiting times. Councilmember Holden questioned whether the County had future plans on this strip of Lexington. City Planner Lehnhoff replied he knows of none based on his discussions with the County. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - November 13, 2007 4 A discussion ensued on the traffic light and wait times. City Planner Lehnhoff commented it is important to discuss plans for the overall County Road E corridor and the access points. Mayor Harpstead asked if there are vehicles by which the City could form new streets for these areas to create the traffic flow vision. City Planner Lehnhoff replied it would take time and effort but it is not impossible. Mayor Harpstead commented it is important to visualize where this neighborhood is going from a City perspective. He mentioned the turnover of businesses in this area over the years. City Planner Lehnhoff discussed signage for the proposal. He commented the PUD would look at signage on the property as a whole development. He commented each tenant could essentially have its own signage; however, the monument signage would be located at both ends ofthe property. City Planner Lehnhoff stated relative to the right-in/right-out access, the County could, at its discretion, limit the access whereby not allowing left -out at all. He commented the County wants to see how it would perform in the future. He stated the County is concerned about traffic flow during peak hours. City Planner Lehnhoff reported parking close to the site would be looked at. Councilmember Holmes commented one of the City's goals was to make this area pedestrian friendly and she does not see this in the drawing. Mayor Harpstead observed the drawing did not indicate a welcoming walkable area. City Planner Lehnhoff encouraged Councihnembers to email him with additional questions or comments they might have. Councilmember Holden recommended that a moratorium on the north side of County Road E be considered. Councihnember McClung commented Council did not have a vision for Arden Hills at this time and are being reactive. He stated he would like to take the time to not be reactive. City Planner Lehnhoff cautioned Council that a moratorium must be done for a reason and a direction for study given. Discussion ensued. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - November 13, 2007 5 City Planner Lehnhoff commented he would pass on the questions he could not answer for additional information. 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None 5. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councihnember McClung seconded a motion t 'ourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. The motion carried (5-0). 4~~ Michelle Wolfe City Administrator