Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
JDA updates Rice Creek Commons plans; LEED precertification and trail/lighting amendments move forward
Summary
City Administrator Jessica Jagoe reported the Joint Development Authority approved forwarding two TRC amendment requests to City and County: reducing multi-use trail width from 12 to 10 feet and reviewing street-light spacing; Rice Creek Commons received LEED for Communities precertification (Platinum) and geothermal planning work funded by a Minnesota Department of Commerce grant is underway.
City Administrator Jessica Jagoe told the Arden Hills City Council on April 13 that the Joint Development Authority reviewed two Technical Review Committee (TRC) amendment requests and authorized staff to forward them to the City and Ramsey County for local consideration. One amendment would reduce multi-use trail width in the TRC from 12 feet to 10 feet; the other would address required street-light spacing along Rice Creek Boulevard.
Jagoe said JDA consultant Kimley Horn reviewed photometric layouts showing lighting at the spacing required by the TRC and as recommended by the MnDOT Roadway Lighting Design Manual, and the JDA approved a motion to bring both amendments to the City and County for action. Jagoe also summarized the JDA's 2025 Annual Report, which cited the Outlot A groundbreaking and the final plat approval of the California parcel as milestones that enable advancement of public infrastructure.
The JDA reported sustainability progress: Rice Creek Commons received LEED for Communities precertification at the Platinum level, and the project team is pursuing full certification; planning and research for a potential geothermal district energy system is ongoing through work by Ever-Green Energy and Darcy Solutions, funded by a Minnesota Department of Commerce Geothermal Planning Grant. Jagoe said Xcel Energy coordination and a forthcoming Thermal Energy Network pilot were also discussed.
Councilmember Brenda Holden asked whether the County had provided a PFAS report; Jagoe said the City had not received it and would follow up with the County. Holden also asked how much water Micro Control would use at its facility; Jagoe said water use was not part of the land-use review and staff would check with the building department and report back.
The JDA meeting scheduled for May 4 was rescheduled to April 29, according to Jagoe.
What's next: the TRC amendment requests will come to the City for formal consideration, staff will follow up on the PFAS report and Micro Control water-use question, and the project team will continue work toward LEED certification and geothermal planning.
