Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-08-WS ~ ~HlLLS Approved: October 27, 2008 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNES,OT A CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 6:00 P.M. - 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 6:02 p.m. Present:" Mayor Stan Harpstead; Council Members David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Dave McClung. Absent: None. Also present: City Administrator Ron Moorse; Stacie K vilvang, Ehlers & Associates; Tom Whitlock, Damon Farber Associates; Gen McGilton, Ryan Companies; and Bruce Chamberlain, Hoisington Koegler Group. 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. Street Types and Streetscaping City Administrator Moorse presented the City Council with information on street types and streetscaping for the TCAAP property. Councilmember Holden indicated she was concerned about using medians due to the fact they crack and chip, as was the case near City Hall. Mayor Harpstead stated he was more in favor of a median due to the traffic calming effect. He noted however, that if they were used, they must be done well. Discussion ensued regarding street trees and additional landscaping issues. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 2 Tom Whitlock, Damon Farber defined a street tree as an over-story deciduous shade tree that is salt tolerant that would grow to roughly 50-60 feet tall. He stated it would take time to establish these trees. Mayor Harpstead indicated it would be beneficial to have additional information on the deciduous trees chosen for this area along with the tree placement. Mr. Whitlock explained the trees would be planted every 50 feet on center with shrubs and ornamental grasses used to fill in the difference. Councilmember Grant asked if the deciduous trees would be hard or soft woods. Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Whitlock indicated they would prefer to use hard woods. He indicated they would be in favor of lower maintenance trees that are faster growing to provide adequate shade. Councilmember Grant questioned if different colored trees were going to be used. Mr. Whitlock noted they would be planting a variety of trees that varied by color and shape. Mayor Harpstead asked if there would be a tree pattern or how they would be planted along the streets. Mr. Whitlock indicated this would depend on the location and length of street. In a commercial area it may be nice to have a consistent look where residential areas may vary the variety more. Mr. Whitlock reviewed the proposed landscaping information with the Council for County Road H. He noted a trail would be located on the development side of the parkway with high-level lighting. Mr. Whitlock noted there would be street trees, 50 feet on center with a grass boulevard. Councilmember McClung indicated the numbers show $22 a linear foot, including the trail and the sidewalk. Mr. Whitlock stated this number was incorrect for the property along County Road H. He indicated the $22 per linear foot was for the trail and did not include the landscaping. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 3 Mayor Harpstead questioned the need for a trail along County Road H, if a sidewalk was also present. Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates indicated the trail did allow for a direct route by foot or bicycle to the commercial properties from Rice Creek. She stated it may be safer to have a trail in this area to keep pedestrian traffic off of the street. Councilmember Holmes asked if the expenses would be assessed back to the property owner. Ms. Kvilvang indicated this was the case for commercial properties and that the residential developer would be responsible for the improvements as well. Councilmember Holmes questioned if this would deter developers from assuming this expense. Ms. K vilvang stated she felt this would attract development and that there would be a solid, well planned infrastructure in place. Councilmember Grant asked how wide the trail and sidewalk would be. Mr. Whitlock stated the trail would be a 10 foot wide multi-purpose trail and that the sidewalk would be six feet wide. Councilmember Holden questioned how the 15 and 30 foot lighting differed and how they would be used within the development. Mr. Whitlock stated the 30 foot lighting would be used on roadways for consistent lighting. He indicated the decorative 15 foot lighting was for pedestrian trails and sidewalks. Councilmember Grant questioned what a "medium" cost fixture was. Mr. Whitlock reviewed several fixtures that would be within the medium cost range. He noted when he returned with street plans he would have a variety of lighting options. Mayor Harpstead indicated that buying the light fixtures in volume could provide the City a discounted rate. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 4 Mr. Whitlock reviewed the information he had on the village green road. He stated this was a medium density roadway with a landscaped median and on-street parking. Mr. Whitlock showed several slides similar to the streetscaping he is proposIng. Councilmember Grant stated he would be in favor of eight foot sidewalks in this area to create a more open feel for pedestrians due to the fact there was a higher density. Further discussion ensued among the Council as to the present layout, flow and structure of the roadways. Potential traffic volumes and back up areas were discussed. Mayor Harpstead requested further information on the proposed I 5 foot and 30 foot lighting. He indicated cross-sections of intersections would be nice to see including proposed setbacks. Councilmember McClung stated he feels the water feature was a large enough issue that it should be discussed separate from Central Park. Ms. Kvilvang thanked the Council for their comments and stated Tom and Bruce would now take this information and continue the process of creating a landscaping plan for the TCAAP development. The Council requested that the information be given to them prior to the next meeting so they are able to have adequate time to review it and provide staff with meaningful comments and questions. B. Sidewalks and Trails Mr. Whitlock indicated the current plan shows sidewalks on both sides of the street in the commercial areas. He noted there would be lower level decorative lighting, street trees I 5 feet on center, and a grass boulevard. Mr. Whitlock reviewed the open street parkway information with Council. He stated these would run into the medium to high density areas wrapping along the east side of the central open space and primary parkway. Mr. Whitlock indicated these roads would have a lighter volume of traffic, one lane each direction and would have on street parking. He explained there would be street trees, decorative lighting and grass boulevards with parallel parking along the residential homes. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 5 Councilmember Grant explained he was in favor of the diagonal parking within the commercial developments and that it had a more modern and finished look. He stated it was easier to get in and out of as well. Councilmember Holden stated she was in favor of parallel parking. Mayor Harpstead asked if the walking paths should be wider than proposed to create a unique feeling near the retail shops. Ms. Kvilvang stated the sidewalks could be slightly larger to provide room for benches, signs, etc. to create more space. Mayor Harpstead asked if there were ways to increase the lifespan of bituminous trails. Ms. Kvilvang noted this came down to the maintenance along with proper installation. Councilmember Holden asked if the trail needed to be 1 0 feet wide. She suggested an eight foot concrete trail to increase the lifespan of the trail. Ms. Kvilvang indicated trails were usually of a bituminous material due to the fact it made for a smoother surface for bicycles. She noted the cost would increase drastically if changed to concrete. Ms. Kvilvang explained the trail could be made eight feet wide, but that 10 feet was much more conducive to two-way passing traffic. Mayor Harpstead understood the need for some trails to be smaller than others to create a cozy feel through parks. He stated he did not want everything to look exactly the same. Councilmember Holmes stated the trails within this development were generous. She questioned if there needed to be so many trails and sidewalks near the parks. Councilmember Holmes noted the price of the trails should be considered long term due to the required maintenance. Mayor Harpstead agreed stating the overall trail system needed to be reviewed versus the sidewalks on every street, both sides. He indicated the open space ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 6 parkway would require a trail and sidewalk due to the green space and abutting residential property. Councilmember Grant questioned if the diagram reviewed last week was the same one being used tonight. He stated there used to be three ponds and now there was only two. Ms. Kvilvang reviewed what changes were made to the diagram and stated there was a slight change to one road to reduce the overall infrastructure expense. Councilmember Holmes asked who would be responsible for maintaining the trails and if they could be assessed. Ms. K vilvang stated the trails in the central park area would be assessed to the neighboring properties. She indicated language would be written into the developer's agreement to assure they are aware of this expense. Councilmember Holmes questioned what would be the largest expense or risk assumed by the City with this development. Ms. K vilvang noted this would be the maintenance of the roads, trails and landscaping. Mayor Harpstead stated the potential use of TIF limits how much the City receives for operational expenses. He indicated the City may want to pursue a longer living, lower maintenance element to this plan. Ms. Kvilvang understood this point and stated the goal of these early decisions was to assure the development pays for itself ov~r time until it comes back onto the tax rolls. Councilmember Holden stated it would be beneficial to see life expectancies of the roadways, trails and sidewalks for this development, along with the intervals for maintenance. She explained this would assist in estimating the expenses long term. Mr. Whitlock indicated he could provide this information at a future meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 7 Mayor Harpstead explained this would be important to the Council due to the fact additional funds would need to be set aside to keep this development moving forward until taxes were recouped. Mr. Chamberlain stated this was an important consideration when reviewing street types, streetscaping, sidewalk, and trail information. He felt the Council should look at the umbrella overview to understand the capital expenses along with maintenance to understand there are additional options available. Councilmember Holden indicated it would be very easy to overspend in this area. She stated the Council would have to remain conscious of future maintenance expenses along with roadway life spans. Councilmember Holmes asked if the City could assess the trail maintenance to the adjacent property owners. Mayor Harpstead noted he has heard of some trail maintenance being able to be assessed but that this was in commercial districts and not for the entire City. He indicated the trail maintenance expense should be further explored. Ms. Kvilvang thanked the Council for their comments and noted she would report back with further information on the trails and sidewalks. C. On-Street Parking Discussion ensued regarding on-street parking in the items above. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Councilmember Holden stated with the economy the way it was, she felt the RFP for the old City Hall property should be put on hold. Councilmember McClung noted this was scheduled for further discussion at a November work session. He suggested the Council make a decision at that time. Councilmember Grant agreed stating design standards should be further investigated in the meantime. Mayor Harpstead asked staff to further address this item and decide if it was worth the Council's time in November. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 8 Councilmember Holmes stated a neighbor questioned the CP Rail Bridge feasibility study. She wondered how this was proceeding and if proposals were being requested, because her neighbor was interested in completing this work. Mayor Harpstead encouraged Councilmember Holmes to further discuss this with staff to discuss how this was proceeding. City Administrator Moorse stated proposals have already been received for the feasibility study but not for the work itself. Councilmember Holmes stated she received a letter from Diane Pierson, who lives on Lake Johanna. She wrote a letter to Northwestern College stating they are not taking care of their shoreline. City Administrator Moorse stated he would forward this information to the Community Development Director. Councilmember Holden indicated she would like further information on the Boutin issue. She questioned if the lots had to be maintained on Lake Johanna Boulevard. Councilmember Grant indicated a police squad car was driving on the trail at Hazelnut. He added that a fence was removed from the hockey rink and has to be replaced before the hockey rink can be used. City Administrator Moorse noted he spoke with Michelle Olson today about this issue and that the fence would be addressed. Councilmember Grant explained the roof on the warming house was in great disrepair. He suggested this be looked into by staff. Mayor Harpstead indicated he received a letter from Lowell Anderson regarding Ms. Dottie Stenberg. She is asking to look into the file and stop the City's inappropriate action regarding the removal of a shed. Mayor Harpstead stated this issue was being litigated. He explained he would communicate this information to Mr. Anderson. Councilmember McClung asked for an update on the status of the repairs to the City Hall building at the next work session. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 9 City Administrator Moorse stated Dave Sherbol indicated the contractor continues to find more concerns and that he would report back to the Council at the next work session. Mayor Harpstead adjourned the City Council Work Session meeting at 8:03 p.m. Stanley D. Harpstead Mayor Ronald J. Moorse City Administrator