Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-07-Joint WS ~ ~HILLS Approved: January 14, 2008 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JOINT WORK SESSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2007 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City Council Work Session meeting at 6:35 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, David Grant, David McClung, and Fran Holmes. Planning Commissioners Roberta Thompson, Clay Larson, Clayton Zimmerman, Andy Holewa, Liz Modessette, Jan Stodola. Also present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director, Karen Barton, City Planner James Lehnhoff Others present: Gen McJilton and Eric Anderson, Ryan Companies; Bruce Chamberlain and Chuck Evans, HKGi, and Tom Whitlock, Damon Farber. Tom Whitlock of Damon Farber reviewed information regarding the Visual Listening exercise for the TCAAP redevelopment project. Councilmember Holmes stated that she was concerned that the responses received do not reflect current Arden Hills. Commissioner Holewa stated that street lights are an example. The group discussed sidewalks. Commissioner Zimmerman expressed support for sidewalks. Commissioner Holewa said there useful if you have somewhere to go to. Discussion regarding sidewalks ensued. Councilmember Grant suggested that the trail pattern be considered with the sidewalks. Councilmember Holden expressed concern regarding sidewalk maintenance. She stated that most residents do not like sidewalks in residential area, but maybe they would be good III some areas. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION-June 12, 2007 2 The next topic discussed was street lights. The consensus of the group was that street lights are okay for the parkways and commercial area, but there was not support for street lights in residential areas. The group discussed trees along streets, having trees in the boulevards versus in the front yards. The next topic discussed was parks and open space. Some of the ideas expressed included the following: . Multiple Shelters -Commissioner Larson · Amphitheater (Commissioner Zimmerman) . Sizable Area (Councilmember Grant) . Parking Concern It was requested that the team come back with options for discussion at a future meeting. The next topic discussed was land use. In terms of Commercial/Retail, Councilmember Grant suggested that the City make sure materials are of a lasting quality, with design appeal, looks and high quality. Councilmember Holden stated that the City should be very carefi.Jl with the use of EFIS, and noted that not all signs should be monument signs. The group next discussed office areas. Councilmember Holden stated that there is a need for green space between buildings and the street. There was discussion regarding what the minimum setback should be. In terms of medium density housing, the group expressed interest in variety of housing types/styles, don't allow cheap materials or design, enough room for parking on driveways, and requiring bigger set-backs than high density. Councilmember Holden expressed a desire for addresses on the entrance areas to housing developments. Mr. Whitlock stated that the next step will be to take the input received and begin development of design guidelines that will be tied more the concept plan that is developed. Break The next agenda item was to review the "Composite Concept" for TCAAP. Mr. Bruce Chamberlain indicated that the composite concept is the next stage in getting to an approve plan. He stated that they tried to incorporate feedback from the public, committees, and Council. He reviewed the three concepts and elements that were put into the composite plan from each concept. Councilmember Holden stated a concern with the purple area - that there is a lot of space, but if we cannot attract a corporate campus, we may need to re-think use of that property. Mayor Harpstead indicated a concern with entrances, diverting traffic from entering residential areas. Councilmember Grant said he likes preserving road corridors, into possibly "opening up" of more land i.e. AHATS. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION-June 12, 2007 3 Commissioner Zimmerman stated he believes there is a need to make sure people can get in and go any direction and leave and go any direction. Councilmember Holden stated that the park on Highway 96 seems like a bad idea. Mr. Chamberlain responded that it is really designed to more open space with landscaping, serving as a buffer to the road, but not an active park use. Commissioner Zimmerman stated he was concerned with the access to the athletic fields, especially if County Road I interchange is closed. There was discussion regarding the National Guard's plans for the AHATS property adjacent to TCAAP. Mr. Chamberlain asked for input regarding the possibility of extending single family housing north and south, to explore the options financially. Commissioner Larson stated that there is a need for a good mix of uses. Commissioner Zimmerman stated he agreed, that there needs to be a mix, including providing a way for current residents to stay in Arden Hills. Council members Holden and Holmes expressed interest in exploring how much options to increase single family and reduce medium or high density impact flllancials for the project. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if it would be possible to mix any neighborhood business into neighborhoods. Mr. Chamberlain responded that it would be difficult to do. Councilmember Grant stated that because of the size of this development, he believes the proj ect can easily accommodate seniors and others who want to downsize. Councilmember McClung indicated that he would like to see less high density and medium density housing and more single family. Commissioner Modessette asked what the Met Council will require. Community Development Director Barton responded that they will require three units per acres. Councilmember Holden asked about the definition of affordable housing. She noted that some residents want affordable housing with their own yard, so condos do not meet that need. There was discussion about exploring options like detached townhomes or single family homes with small lots. Mayor Harpstead stated that he thinks there needs to be variety. He stated it should not all be affordable homes, and there should be some high density. He noted that there had been comments that the development should accommodate people who work here, that they can also live here, which means a need for both executive housing as well as lower-cost housing. He indicated that we need to make sure to have sustainable, quality materials on all products. Mr. Chamberlain asked the group if we are narrowing down in the right direction. Several Commissioners stated that they think we are, and that input has been captured, but need to look at financials now. Mayor Harpstead stated that he thinks the process has been captured well. He noted the caveats include characterization of the site, access issues, infrastructure, financial analysis, and phasing. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION-June 12, 2007 4 The group discussed the need to possibly schedule another meeting. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Stan Harpstead adjourned the Work Session meeting at 8:45 p.m. ~# 'J?( Noah A. Simon "Deputy Clerk Stanley D. Harp Mayor \ IMetro-inet. us lardenhillsIAdmin ICounci/lMinutes\ Worksession 12007\06-12-07 #1 Draft.doc