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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 8, 2015 5 <br /> <br />Vice Chair Hames opened the floor to Commissioner comments. <br /> <br />There were no comments or questions from the Commission. <br /> <br />Vice Chair Hames opened the public hearing at 7:26 p.m. <br /> <br />Vice Chair Hames invited anyone for or against the request to come forward and make <br />comment. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, 815 Montana Avenue, St. Paul, discussed <br />the County’s thoughts on TCAAP. He looked forward to seeing the TCAAP site dramatically <br />improved in the near future. He had some concern with the City’s proposed density and <br />encouraged the Planning Commission to consider increasing flexibility in the TRC to allow for <br />1,700 units. It was the County Board’s feelings that the increased flexibility in density would <br />attract national developers. He explained that the A-Line BRT was not proposed to extend to the <br />TCAAP property at this time; however, the Metropolitan Council is considering this extension. <br />He stated he would continue to work on this issue with the Metropolitan Council. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough discussed the importance of private development. <br />He stated that he was a strong supporter of creating 4,000 jobs on the TCAAP site. This will be <br />accomplished through long-term investment. He provided comment on the strength of <br />Minnesota’s work force. He appreciated the joint work that has been done by the City and <br />County to date. It was his hope that the City and the County could move forward together with a <br />strong shared vision for TCAAP. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman questioned what type of additional housing units the County <br />wanted to see on the TCAAP site in order to reach 1,700 units. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough wanted to see additional life-cycle housing, work <br />force housing and affordable housing on TCAAP. He did not have a recommendation as to <br />which type of housing should be added, but wanted to see a wide range of housing types. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa asked if 1,700 units were needed for the Metropolitan Council to extend <br />the A-Line BRT route to TCAAP. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough stated this density would get the TCAAP site <br />closer to the Metropolitan Council’s minimum requirements. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa inquired what the County Commissioner wanted from the Planning <br />Commission. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough encouraged the Planning Commission to increase <br />the density on TCAAP in order to increase the flexibility for future development. <br /> <br />Vice Chair Hames noted that the Planning Commission was a recommending body only and <br />indicated that the final decision would rest with the City Council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bartel asked how the County arrived at the 1,700 number.