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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION--FEBRUARY 22, 2011 5 <br /> Councilmember Holmes questioned if the City should be paying for improvements since this is a <br /> County road. <br /> Public Works Director Maurer stated it is a County right-of-way but the City is responsible for <br /> the utilities. <br /> Planning Commission Member Hames asked if changing the road name changes who is <br /> responsible. <br /> City Planner Beekman stated it is a name change only. <br /> Councilmember Holden commented that the business owners weren't happy with the proposal <br /> for a boulevard in that area so this should to be part of the discussion. <br /> Councilmember Holmes opposed the median as it restricts access to the businesses. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher asked if the Council and Planning Commission <br /> members were comfortable proceeding with the streetscape improvements without resolution for <br /> the traffic signal. <br /> Planning Commission Member Reiff stated he would like to see that happen. <br /> Councilmember Holden commented that there are a lot of water main breaks in that area. <br /> Public Works Director Maurer stated the City will look at bringing the infrastructure up to <br /> current standards. <br /> Planning Commission Member Modesette stated the streetscape planning should move forward <br /> but in the long term we should not lose site of the intersection improvements. <br /> Planning Commission Member Hames agreed that the streetscape improvements should <br /> proceed and that businesses doing any kind of property improvements should follow the new <br /> guidelines. She also believed that having a consistent plan will make the area more attractive to <br /> potential new businesses. <br /> Councilmember Holden commented that the Arden Plaza neighborhood has never been a <br /> successful business area. <br /> Planning Commission Chair Larson stated the close proximity of Target and Rosedale Center <br /> draws customers away from this area. Strip malls, he added, have a limited demography and they <br /> need tenants that will draw in customers. <br /> Planning Commission Member Hames agreed that the mix of businesses isn't good and that <br /> there are other strip malls in the area that are more successful. <br /> Planning Commission Chair Larson stated that having traffic signals close to each other does <br /> cause frustration for people trying to drive through the area. He then commented that we should <br />