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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 30, 20132 <br /> <br />Jessica Laabs, <br /> Kimley-Horn, discussed the comments received from the developer interviews in <br />further detail with the Council, along with the public comments received at the open house. She <br />explained that Opus, CSM, Lennar, and Ryan Company were the developers interviewed. <br />Common themes expressed through these conversations include the belief that the TCAAP site is <br />very attractive, it is in a great location, it offers great open space, and that it needs to be completed <br />in phases. She added that given the scale of the project, flexibility is needed while the space is <br />developed. Access to and from the development and a regional storm water system were also <br />expressed as concerns. <br /> <br />Ms. Laabs <br /> commented that Pulte Homes, United Properties, the Urban Land Institute, and <br />members from the St. Paul Chamber were present at the developer panel and stakeholder <br />engagement workshop on July 30, 2013. The developers expressed the importance of having <br />amenities available that would cater to the people living and working on the site. She asked for <br />reactions from the Council based on these comments. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> was not surprised by the statements and thanked the consultants for <br />gathering this information as it reinforced the fact that the City is heading in a positive direction. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br />stated that the panel discussion and developer interviews have led her to <br />believe that the development cannot be 50/50 commercial and residential. More residential will <br />be needed to support the commercial. She further discussed the recently sold Pulte Homes in <br />Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner <br />was pleased that the younger generation and their needs were being <br />considered through the development of this site. It was his understanding that the strong school <br />district would also pull young families into the community. <br /> <br />Ms. Laabs <br /> discussed the citizen input received at the open house noting land use, transportation, <br />environmental or sustainability features, and parks and open space were main areas of concern. <br />She stated that he open house. Further discussion <br />ensued regarding the panel event and the open house. <br /> <br />Andrew Dresdner <br />, Cunningham Group, explained that a zoning exercise took place at the open <br />house in which the residents were asked to divide the TCAAP site into roadways, residential, <br />commercial, and green space. He reviewed the information gathered from these plans. The <br />residents were not in favor of having the main spine road on the east and wanted to see the <br />sus that commercial development be placed at <br />both entrances (north and south) of the site, with housing on the east. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> questioned how many residents/citizens were in attendance at the open <br />house. <br /> <br />Mr. Smalkoski <br /> estimated that nearly 100 people attended the event between residents and elected <br />officials. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> arrived at the meeting at 5:52 p.m. <br /> <br />