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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 30, 2015 2 <br /> Mr. Lamb provided further comment on how the two options would work together subjectively <br /> to assist the County and City in planning for Rice Creek Commons. He reported that the Fit Test <br /> was focused on market potential, economic development, job growth, and environmental <br /> stewardship. These factors were the driving factors for the County. He discussed development <br /> prospects within the metro area. He reviewed the proposed lot sizes for residential <br /> neighborhoods. He summarized housing trends and family sizes and how this would impact the <br /> housing market. <br /> Mr. Lamb stated that after reviewing his Fit Test Option 1 findings, he believed that the Creek <br /> Neighborhood could yield 111 total units on the 41 acres, which would be roughly 2.7 units per <br /> acre. He stated the Hill Neighborhood would have 29 NB 1 lots, 80 NB2 lots and 85 N133 lots <br /> with 29 twinhomes, which would yield 223 total units. He noted that the park in the Hill <br /> Neighborhood has been shifted slightly to allow for lots to be fronted along the park. <br /> Mr. Lamb discussed the Town Neighborhood. Option 1 included 680 multi-family and row <br /> house units in the Town Center District. An additional 304 attached and detached townhomes <br /> were shown in the Neighborhood Transition 1 and 2 Districts. The retail mixed use area included <br /> 40,000 square feet of retail. The total number of units proposed for the entire Rice Creek <br /> Commons development in Option 1 was 1318. <br /> Councilmember Holmes asked for clarification on the housing numbers. <br /> Mr. Lamb reviewed his Fit Test findings in further detail with the Council. <br /> Mayor Grant clarified that this was one scenario that was being presented but that it was not <br /> necessarily the scenario that would be chosen. <br /> Mr. Lamb stated that this was the case noting that he was trying to provide an option that would <br /> provide the highest yield. <br /> Councilmember McClung asked if the proposed row houses would serve as a buffer next to the <br /> multi-family housing. <br /> Mr. Lamb indicated that the row houses would serve as a buffer. <br /> Mayor Grant was concerned that the Fit Test did not include property tax values, given the fact <br /> that this was a concern to the County. <br /> Councilmember McClung requested that phase two of the Fit Test include this information. <br /> Mayor Grant questioned how the City and County would reach a final design plan. <br /> Mr. Lamb believed that the marketplace would determine the final design and that the Fit Test <br /> would provide information regarding how many units could fit on the site. <br /> Mayor Grant inquired how rents impact property values. <br />