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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 8, 2015 9 Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough wanted to see additional life-cycle housing, work force housing and affordable housing on TCAAP. He did not have a recommendation as to which type of housing should be added, but wanted to see a wide range of housing types. Commissioner Holewa asked if 1,700 units were needed for the Metropolitan Council to extend the A-Line BRT route to TCAAP. Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough stated this density would get the TCAAP site closer to the Metropolitan Council’s minimum requirements. Commissioner Holewa inquired what the County Commissioner wanted from the Planning Commission. Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough encouraged the Planning Commission to increase the density on TCAAP in order to increase the flexibility for future development. Vice Chair Hames noted that the Planning Commission was a recommending body only and indicated that the final decision would rest with the City Council. Commissioner Bartel asked how the County arrived at the 1,700 number. Ramsey County Commissioner McDonough reported that the AUAR prescribed this number and the transit piece was another factor. He provided further comment on how a strong work force, increased density, and transit were interconnected. Jim Ostlund, 1576 Royal Hills Drive, noted that he lived less than 1/3 of a mile away from TCAAP. He supported the increased density as recommended by Ramsey County. He indicated that he volunteered on ERAB and believed that additional density would improve the economics of the TCAAP development. Lyle Salmela, 1480 Arden Vista Court, believed the goal for TCAAP was to develop mixed land uses that were sensitive to the natural environment, economically sustainable, and a benefit to the community. He provided the Commission with a handout and suggested that building orientation only apply to commercial buildings. He reviewed several language changes within the TRC that addressed building orientation, building materials and encouraged energy efficiency. He believed that water should be considered Open Space as it was an asset to the TCAAP site. Mr. Salmela suggested that Chapter 12 of the Comprehensive Plan, which addresses Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, should be updated as part of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. He explained he assisted in rewriting this Chapter in 2008. He believed that TCAAP should be mentioned in Section 12.2 along with the ERIF. He provided further comment on the LEED certified building variability proposed within TCAAP. It was his opinion that Jackson Meadows was a great development for the City to style TCAAP after. It was his hope to that TCAAP would have high quality architectural design. There being no additional comment Vice Chair Hames closed the public hearing at 7:59 p.m.