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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – NOVEMBER 3, 2014 2 <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden expressed concern with the comments from United Properties <br />representatives as they have a vested interest in the site. <br /> <br />Mr. Ulstad understood this concern and stated he would try to provide objective and unbiased <br />comments and encouraged the Council to invite other commercial developers in for discussions. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant questioned how the site needs for the retail area would change without immediate <br />development on the thumb. <br /> <br />Mr. Ulstad commented that he has not considered this delay in development. He believed that <br />the retail component would not be possible without the interchange improvements. He stated the <br />size of the retail would be critical in order to attract traffic from Highway 10 and I-35W, while <br />also meeting the needs of the local residents. It was his opinion that 20 contiguous acres would be <br />needed to provide an anchor (grocer) and diversity in the retail area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden reviewed the proposed locations for retail in TCAAP. <br /> <br />Mr. Ulstad recommended that 20 acres of retail be located west of the spine road adjacent to the <br />County Road H interchange. He believed that more convenience retail could be located along <br />Highway 96 and east of the spine road. <br /> <br />Mr. McKelvey explained that the 20 acres would be the first piece to draw customers off of the <br />freeway with an attractive anchor and a secondary attraction with restaurants or entertainment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked why this site would be attractive to passing traffic when <br />compared to Roseville. <br /> <br />Mr. McKelvey reported this site would be incredibly easy to access. <br /> <br />Ms. Pitchford stated this was the reason a grocer was being recommended as the strongest and <br />best use for the site. She reported that once the residential area became fully developed, the <br />grocer would become more stable. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the potential anchor for the retail site. <br /> <br />Mr. Ulstad commented that Target may have bigger ticket items, but requires fewer trips than a <br />grocer. He indicated that grocery stores have been the best single driver for retail and get people <br />in the habit of going to the same place. He further discussed how the retail should be phased from <br />the west side to the east side of the spine road. He suggested that the Council begin with a grocer <br />as this would lead to surrounding retail. <br /> <br />Ms. Pitchford stated that smaller convenience would want to be in the field of vision of the <br />grocer. She envisioned a very cohesive, well thought out and organized plan for the retail site. <br />She explained this would assist with leasing the property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned if the developers had any comparative developments in mind <br />for the TCAAP site.