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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – APRIL 13, 2015 3 Mayor Grant stated that Option 2 of the Fit Test was a possibility for the Rice Creek Commons site but it is not a master plan. Mark Ruff, Ehlers & Associates, discussed the financial implications between Option 1 and Option 2 of the Fit Test. He reviewed the differential in the tax base between the options, noting that there was a $50 million difference for residential property value. This equates to $6 million a year in Option 1 for taxes and $6.76 million in taxes for Option 2. Mr. Ruff provided comment on several charts on how taxes would be impacted for the City, County, and School District based on Option 1 and Option 2. The land sale potential for the County was discussed. He estimated that there was a $5 million difference between the two options. He anticipated that based on the costs that would be incurred by the County for the property, the County would incur a loss. Ramsey County Commission Huffman noted that Option 1 was 100 units below the Council’s plan and Option 2 was approximately 100 units over the City’s plan. It was his opinion that Option 2 was a great option for the Rice Creek Commons site. He encouraged the Council to broaden the housing types within the three neighborhoods and proceed with Option 2 of the Fit Test. He encouraged the Council to approve Option 2 in May. Mayor Grant asked for comments from the Council. Councilmember Holden stated that she did not recall that the City was on board with 4,000 new residents in Arden Hills. She was not in favor of creating housing for as many people as possible on this site. She stated that she could not support Option 2 as it did not support the original Maxfield Study. While she agreed that the housing types on Rice Creek Commons should be broadened, she wanted to see more single family homes than townhomes and condos. She reported that the 1,700 housing units was derived by the Council through the AUAR. She feared that the density proposed by the County would create major traffic concerns. She stated that she was going to do what was best for the City of Arden Hills. Ramsey County Commissioner Huffman noted that the difference between Fit Test Option 2 and the TRC was only an increase in density of 7%. Councilmember Woodburn stated that he mostly agreed with Councilmember Holden’s comments. Councilmember McClung stated that he supported Option 2. He had concerns with Option 1. He wanted Rice Creek Commons to be a high-class development across all of the varying aspects of the development (commercial, retail, and residential). He appreciated the proposed diversification. Councilmember Holmes believed that the changes within Option 2 benefited the Town neighborhood. She indicated that the City had a planner assist with the TRC. She questioned why additional plans continue to be created for this site. She inquired why the Creek and the Hill neighborhoods were changed so drastically by the County.