Sponsor: Community & Economic Development
Title
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Amendment to Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Master Plan
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Recommendation
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Approve the amended Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Master Plan.
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Background and Rationale
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The Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) by Ramsey County and the city of Arden Hills that formed the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) Joint Development Authority (JDA) provides that the city prepare the TCAAP Master Plan for the redevelopment of the TCAAP, now known as Rice Creek Commons. The Arden Hills city council approved the current plan and an accompanying amendment to the city’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment on December 12, 2016. The county board approved the plan on December 20, 2016. This plan consists of two documents, the Regulating Plan and TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC), that guide redevelopment of the site. Approval of the plan by both the city and county is a requirement of the JPA for the JDA to be fully authorized to implement the plan and effect a timely and orderly redevelopment of the site in accordance with the JPA.
The proposed amendment is a minor amendment as outlined in the JPA. A minor amendment is a change within a Development Site deemed desirable by the JDA to implement the Development that does not involve an amendment to the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Ryan Companies is requesting a TRC amendment to modify language pertaining to clear height and loading docks for buildings within Campus Commercial and Flex Office zoning districts at Rice Creek Commons. The TRC is inconsistent in its use of the term “clear height,” and the amendment adds a definition for clarity. The amendment also changes the maximum clear height for loading docks from 24 feet to 32 feet. This request is not connected to a specific development proposal; it is based on Ryan Companies’ experience in developing buildings for light-industrial manufacturing use and is supported by data on recent light industrial developments in the Twin Cities.
This proposed minor amendment was recommended by the Arden Hills Planning Commission on July 8, 2026, and approved by the Arden Hills City Council on July 27, 2026.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Redevelopment of Rice Creek Commons site is an important project toward achieving the county’s prosperity goal because of its contribution toward the development of additional tax base, job creation, affordable housing and environmental remediation of brownfields. By broadening the property tax base, the development of Rice Creek Commons helps alleviate property tax pressures on residential communities in the rest of the county. In this way and also through the future construction of a broad range of housing, including affordable housing, this project contributes to housing security for all Ramsey County residents, and particularly racially and ethnically diverse communities that historically have faced greater housing pressures.
The Rice Creek Commons redevelopment is guided by a network of documents and official legal controls through the county’s years-long partnership with the city of Arden Hills, including a set of documents referred to as the “Master Plan.” The term “master plan” is commonly found in the real estate industry to indicate a comprehensive or overarching plan, development, project, or agreement. Ramsey County continues to take steps to acknowledge its role in systemic racism, it recognizes the power of language. The term “master” has been identified as a word to remove in certain contexts due to its connection with the history of masters and slavery in the United States. The county’s project team has already phased out the use of this term when working on the project. However, there remain legal documents, such as the ones referenced in this RBA, that use the word “master” to refer to past documents and milestones, and these documents are interwoven into other aspects of the project.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The JDA and City of Arden Hills hosted meetings in the summer of 2026 where information on these proposed amendments was provided, and the public was given opportunities to provide feedback.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this request.
Last Previous Action
On July 14, 2026, the Ramsey County Board approved one amendment to the TCAAP Master Plan (Resolution B2026-091).
On May 21, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved one amendment to the TCAAP Master Plan (Resolution B2024-170).
On March 12, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved two amendments to the TCAAP Master Plan (Resolution B2024-045).
On August 1, 2023, the Ramsey County Board approved one amendment to the TCAAP Master Plan (Resolution B2023-125).
On December 20, 2016, the Ramsey County Board approved the amended TCAAP Master Plan (Resolution B2016-0337).
On January 19, 2016, the Ramsey County Board approved the TCAAP Master Plan (Resolution B2016-026).
On November 27, 2012, the Ramsey County Board approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Arden Hills (Resolution B2012-342).
Attachments
1. City of Arden Hills Ordinance No. 2026-015.