03-26-12-WS Draft Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 26, 2012 5 Mr. Davidson stated this may work well, but he was hoping to find a mix of both versus only one or the other. Councilmember Holmes asked what the main concerns of Council were at this time. Councilmember Tamble stated the proposed size of the studio units was a concern for him. He felt tenants needed more than 300 square feet of living space. He proposed the units be more varied in size. Mayor Grant indicated a one-bedroom unit would be his preference versus the majority being studio units. He felt two bedroom units could also be renovated to attract additional clientele. Councilmember Holden questioned if the traffic study would require reduced density at the proposed site and if larger units would assist in reducing the density of the redevelopment. City Planner Beekman stated this was a concern for staff as the apartment complex would increase the flow of traffic in and out of this property. Mr. Davidson explained that the investment he was proposing in the site would be attracting professionals and not low-income individuals. He felt his proposal was viable and would meet demands in the market. He was prepared to reduce the density to 120 units between all four floors, which would meet City code requirements. It was noted this reduction would create more variety in the mix of units. Councilmember Holmes stated this would lead to 85 studio units and 35 one-bedroom units. Mayor Grant commented again he did not feel the studios were units without a full kitchen with a stove. Mr. Davidson requested flexibility in that definition. Councilmember Holden indicated the young professionals just out of school may not be interested in sharing kitchen facilities. The smaller units may work for some individuals while the additional one-bedroom units would fill another need. Mayor Grant stated his grandmother lives in an assisted living facility and has a small refrigerator, stove/oven and full kitchen. This allows her to still cook if she feels the need to prepare food. He encouraged the developer to look into the smaller options available in appliances. Councilmember Holmes explained that additional market research proving that the studio unit with the microwave oven kitchen would be viable may assist the Council in moving forward with this redevelopment. Mayor Grant indicated the Council always had the option to amend the City Code to further define what should and should not be included in a kitchen.