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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-10-TCAAP WS E N HILL S Approved: June 14, 2010 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION MEETING APRIL 12, 2010 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 TCAAP Work Session meeting at 6:05 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, David Grant, Brenda Holden (arrived at 6:11 .m. p ) and Dave McClung. Absent: Fran Holmes. Also present: Acting City Administrator/Finance Director, Susan Iverson; Community Development Director, James Lehnhoff; and Greg Mack,Ramsey County. y APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember McClure seconded a motion to approve the meetin a enda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. TCAAP Zoning Project Community Development Director Lehnhoff noted Greg Mack from Ramsey y Count and Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett were present to give the Council a brief update on their discussions with the Army regarding Parcels A, B, C and D. Greg Mack, Ramsey County noted he had a conversation with the Army on April 2nd. The discussion centered around Parcel D and the City's zoning. If the Count secured A B C and D y > it would complement what the City was doing with park dedication. A range of possibilities were discussed regarding the potential park dedication percentages for the development. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION—APRIL 12, 2010 2 ].A TCAAP Zoning Project(continued) Mr. Mack indicated the Army would be supportive of transferring Parcels A-D to the County as long as the City would not exceed 10% for park dedication. This would leave a well established - amount of land for development. The National Guard would still need access to Parcel C, and the environmental remediation. The County would have no objection to this request. The one outstanding issue would be the contaminants in Parcel B. The County would work to further characterize that site and speak with the Army about how the site would be cleaned. He indicated that Bill O'Donnell has spoken with Mike Fix to get all the information the County would need regarding the site. Commissioner Tony Bennett noted last Thursday he spoke with Congresswoman McCollum and she is very interested in helping the County with the land transfers. The County was made aware that County Road 96 and Highway 10,right-of-way will be turned over to the County from the Army as well. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated that during the conference call last week - the Army indicated the Parcel D transfer would be contingent upon the City not exceeding, the 10% park dedication requirement. It was explained to Kevin Legare that the City would make no promises as this would have to be approved by the Council and Planning Commission. He indicated 10% was the anticipated park dedication at this time. Further discussion ensued regarding park dedication requirements within the City. Councilmember Grant questioned when and how the park land would be transferred to the County. Mr. Mack explained the transfer would be completed through the National Park Service. A timeline has not been completed for the transfer to date, but it may not be completed until after the public auction. We would expect a formal commitment for the land transfer prior to the public sale. Mayor Harpstead asked if there was any action needed from the Council on this issue. Mr. Mack stated not at this time. The County would need to hire a consultant to review the property and create a plan for the parcels with the proper remediation. He explained the County had hired a surveyor to draft the proper legal descriptions for Parcels A, B, C and D. Mr. Mack noted once B, C, and D were approved by the City and County the Met Council would have to approve the plans as well. This would allow the County to apply for grants and funding from the Met Council. Discussion ensued regarding the need for fencing around the parcels. Mayor Harpstead questioned the status of the building in the Rice Creek Corridor_ Mr. Mack indicated he spoke with the executive director of the amateur sports commission last week on this issue. The organization was still pursuing the may y, but it not occur this year. This site would be used as a staging area for large events in the future. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION—APRIL 12 2010 3 1.A TCAAP Zoning Project(continued) Councilmember Holden asked if the Army would be removing g the building in the elbow of Parcel D. - Mr. Mack stated the Army was intending to take this building down. Mayor Harpstead thanked Greg and Tony for the update and requested staff follow u on this q p issue and report back to Council. Community Development Director Lehnhoff reviewed with the Council there would be a multi- jurisdictional meeting on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. The meeting will be broadcast on C-TV for the residents. Staff created a presentation with a complete map of TCAAP, history of the site, information on the early transfer with a preliminary timeline. He indicated he would also review the events that have occurred over the past year, including the Ramsey County Park land transfers and how this works into the overall project. The public auction process would be discussed along g with how the City is preparing for the zoning codes within the TCAAP site. There would be a time for questions after the presentation. Community Development Director Lehnhoff then presented Council with the changes made to the zoning regulations. The Council would need to seta ark dedication percentage, but that this - p p g � could.be completed after the Ramsey County Open Space request was finalized. He requested the Council provide additional feedback on a design feature as well. Councilmember Holden felt the language within the storm water portion of the code needed greater definition. Mayor Harpstead stated the further it was defined, the more the City would have to work to have the proposal fit the City's definition. Councilmember McClung suggested the City list minimum requirements in the code for storm water ponds if they are going to be a design feature in a park. Councilmember Holden asked if the Council was in favor of settinga finished edge percentage g p g for storm water ponds. Mayor Harpstead indicated the Council would then have to greater define "finished edges" as rushes were a natural deterrent to geese. He suggested this issue be termed a maintained edge. Councilmember McClung suggested the City of Edina's design standards and City code be reviewed. Councilmember Holden questioned how many acres of storm water ponding the developer would have to have on the TCAAP site. Mayor Harpstead estimated this to be approximately 20 acres for the entire development. He suggested that the parks within the development not be more than 40% storm water retention. ARDEN HILLS CITE'COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION—APRIL 12, 2010 4 LA TCAAP Zoning Project(continued) Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the environmental remediation sections were reviewed by the MPCA and Mike Comadeca. The MPCA provided great feedback to the City and was great to work with. He indicated areas within TCAAP that do not require remediation will not given a letter of completion and the code was adjusted accordingly. Mayor Harpstead questioned if substations or other major utilities could be placed on the periphery of the development. Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained this was a good point and there have been discussions with xcel Energy about building a substation. The location has not been determined to date and could be restricted within the zoning code. Mayor Harpstead asked if the developer would be responsible for WAC and SAC fees. He suggested the water lines run along County Road H. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the developer would have to pay the SAC and WAC fees. Councilmember Holden questioned if the Council should require a certificate of completion =- before granting TIP to the developer. Community Development Director Lehnhoff indicated Tom' did not fit into the zoning code. He added that a certificate of completion was required under the zoning code at this time. Mayor Harpstead suggested the TIFIfinancing portion of City Code be reviewed to assure that the City requires a certification of completion on remediation prior to granting or providing TEF. Mayor Harpstead questioned if the Council was in favor of recessing the meeting for the regular City Council meeting and reconvene on this topic. The Council was in favor with this suggestion. RECESS Mayor Harpstead recessed the City Council TCAAP Work Session meeting at 6:55 p.m. RECONVENE Mayor Harpstead reconvened the City Council TCAAP Work Session meeting at 8:00 p.m. Community Development Director Lehnhoff directed the Council's attention to the sustainability portion of the zoning code. Councilmember Holden stated she would be in favor of setting a percentage, such as 10%, be green or sustainable design. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION—APRIL 12, 2010 5 LA TCAAP Zoning Project(continued) Mayor Harpstead requested that staff speak with neighboring communities on how green design is being implemented in City codes. Councilmember McClung requested that all street lights within the TCAAP development be LED. Councilmember Holden suggested the lighting within the TCAAP site be down lit or"dark sky" to reduce the light wash spread onto neighboring properties. She encouraged the developer to use permeable surfaces as well. Mayor Harpstead agreed stating coverage bonuses could be used with permeable surfaces. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated there are cases where coverage bonuses are offered to developers for using permeable materials. Councilmember Holden asked if the TCAAP site could be subdivided or phased and if so, how would the City continue to meet the green space requirements. Community Development Director Lehnhoff indicated the master plan for the entire property - would assist with maintaining the City's requirements as the site is subdivided. Mayor Harpstead questioned if the site could be subdivided after purchase or if certain criteria had to be met before subdivision could occur. Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained the site could not be subdivided until the developer had a full master plan was completed and presented to the City. All parties involved with the subdivision, would be subject to the master agreement. Councilmember McClung asked how the zoning code controlled density within subsections or phases of the TCAAP development. Community Development Director Lehnhoff indicated this was left open for flexibility. Councilmember McClung suggested the zoning code address this concern by stating green space requirements have to met by the entire project, however within a subsection, it cannot be below X percent. Community Development Director Lehnhoff cautioned the Council from dictating this too much as the developer may suggest clustered housing in one area to allow a larger shared open space. The Council would still be reviewing each phase of the development through the final PUD. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORD SESSION—APRIL 12, 2010 b I.A TCAAP Zoning Project(continued) Councilmember Grant asked if the phases within the development had to be completed before moving onto the next. He wondered if TIP districts should be further addressed within the phasing information. Community Development Director Lehnhoff indicated the zoning does not typically include TIP regulations. The City business subsidy policy would address TEF requirements. Mayor Harpstead questioned if phasing within TCAAP should be further addressed within the zoning code. Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained this was defined in Subdivision 10, the Construction Staging Component. This would give the City an idea of how the phasing would take place, with regard to sewer connections, water,parks and open spaces, etc. Mayor Harpstead requested staff review the staging language further and that the developer be required to provide the City with a financial proforma before moving onto a new stage or phase of the development. Councilmember Holden suggested that a proforma be presented to Council with a master plan - update as well. The Council was in favor of both of these comments. Councilmember Holden asked if the City could require remediation insurance. She felt that insurance would further protect the City and assure that the site was cleaned properly. Community Development Director Lehnhoff indicated he was uncertain on this issue and stated he would speak with the Ms. Kvilvang or the City Attorney on this issue. Councilmember Holden stated she would like to have building heights set both for commercial and residential within the zoning code for the TCAAP site. Mayor Harpstead explained he would be in favor of residential homes would not need to exceed four stories. Councilmember Holden agreed with these suggestions. Mayor Harpstead indicated these heights could vary with townhouses or row houses. Councilmember McClung indicated he would like to see more flexibility up front because he didn't want to promote sprawl. Community Development Director Lehnhoff asked how the Council would like the height limits set for commercial development. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION—APRIL 12, 2010 7 I.A TCAAP Zoning Project(continued) Mayor Harpstead stated he would like a bit more elevation on some retail. He did not want to see the entire retail section low and flat. Councilmember Grant indicated he would be in favor of not exceeding five stories unless there was an economic benefit to the City. Councilmember Holden stated she would be in favor of the five stories with the economic benefit as suggested by Councilmember Grant and that structured parking would be required if over five stories. Discussion ensued regarding commercial building height throughout the City. Mayor Harpstead explained he could tolerate eight stories but would like to see larger setbacks from its boundary. He suggested the Council consider the shadows that will be cast on adjacent properties if the buildings were not setback from property lines. Councilmember McClung indicated he would be in favor of eight story commercial buildings g with structured parking, while allowing some flexibility. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the City could require a setback from the lot line to project park land. He noted that capacity could be limited within the development by transportation access to the property. Staff would review this information further with the consultants and report back to Council. Councilmember Holden commented that she would like to limit retail footprints to a 501000 to 1001,000 square feet building. Mayor Harpstead agreed with this suggestion to set a limit. Councilmember Grant suggested staff sufficiently define the word "primarily" on Page 8, Item C Mixed Residential. Community Development Director Lehnhoff indicated the City's consultant was reviewing options for housing type requirements. He stated he would investigate this further and report back to Council. Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained he would be bringing the zoning regulations back to the Council for further discussion at the April I9th .worksession meeting. g 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Councilmember McClung asked when the Fire Department Discussion would be put on the worksession agenda. The Fire Board was looking for support on the six year budget. The Council has not received the necessary feedback from the Fire Board and should be discussed at a ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION—APRIL 12, 2010 S 2. Council Comments and Requests (continued) worksession meeting. If the Council was in favor with the budget, the City could continue with fire services as is and if not, would need to seek alternate services. - Acting City Administrator/Finance Director Iverson indicated this was on the agenda for May. Councilmember Holden requested the financials be available the night this is discussed in order to provide adequate information. Councilmember Grant asked that staff publish the balance of the cable fund in the next admire update. Mayor Harpstead noted the Personnel Committee would be meeting on April 13, 2010 and the Council would be updated on the negotiations next week. Community Development Director Lehnhoff encouraged Council to send any additional comments or questions regarding the zoning code to him prior to Monday's meeting. ADJOURN Mayor Harpstead adjourned the City Council TCAAP work Session meeting at 9:06 p.m. 4A Susan K. Iverson San Harpgread Acting City Administrator Mayor