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The wetlands comprising Marsden Lake are both beautiful and crucial to maintaining water quality and wildlife. The Marsden Lake area should be incorporated into the open space proposed for the site and protected. The prairie pothole formation on the northern portion of the property is a valuable testament to the geologic heritage of the region. As such, the area should be protected as part of the planned open space, to be preserved for the enjoyment of all. ' The central portion of the TCAAP site provides an opportunity to protect some unique features, including the kames and the Desmodiurn illinoense (Illinois Tick-treefoil). This area includes ' the gravel pit, which has been carved into a portion of one of the glacial kames. This primarily upland area should be included in the pianned open space, in conjunction with Marsden Lake to the east and a corridor leading to Rice Creek to the west as part of a larger contiguous open ' space area. 2. Recreation Provide an area for the development of recreational spaces and facilities that ' are unique and acceptable to the broader community and anticipates the future demographic needs of the broader community. To that end, provide at least 70.contiguous acres for a joint ' recreation facility that can be used and supported by the broader community. The most likely location for the joint community athletic complex is within the northern portion of the property, surrounded to the southeast, south and west by open space, and to the north by Institutional land, ' and to the northeast by housing. Should it become clear in the interim that this land is unavailable, the fields-may be--lc:ated elsewhere. Provide at least 25 contiguous acres of land for a community park for:the'Citywf Arden Hills. Until such time that the property becomes excessed, allow the general public access to the facility for outdoor recreational activities in appropriate areas. Encourage the development of an historic/nature interpretive center on the site. , Buffer zones are needed between the residential areas and critical areas of the park preserve. These buffer zones, of approximately 180 acres, could be used for either passive natural areas ' or activ e recr eation. 3. Housing Encourage the provision of a balanced housing supply in relationship to 1 affordability, life-cycle housing, density, market conditions and resource availability. To that end, provide the potential for at least 400 acres for the development of residential housing. ' Housing on the facility should be constructed in locations which do not impinge on the natural resources to be protected. Housing may be built on the site and shall be located as shown on the attached map, and shall be generally described as follows: Situated on the northern portion ' the property, abutting County Road I, east of the proposed institutional land, and abutting joint community athletic fields. Housing also may be located on a portion of land between commercial/industrial/office space development and the buffer zone designated •as ' "active/passive recreation". It may extend all the way down to Highway 96 in the south. The principles embodied within the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act should be supported. The 14 houses currently occupying the northwest portion of the site should be viewed as a resource , which could be reused. The current location falls within areas which are not suitable for 1