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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 29, 2015 2 A. Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough introduced himself to the Council. He discussed the progress that was being made on TCAAP through both the City and County’s efforts. He looked forward to future development and economic stimulus on this site. He explained that the County was interested in flexibility going forward in order to achieve vitality, uniqueness, and complex developments within TCAAP. He reported that he would continue to advocate for an extension of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) A-Line to TCAAP. He provided further comment on the proposed density on TCAAP, along with the new, unique neighborhoods. He indicated that Ramsey County was interested in securing a large amount of private investment on this site as a large amount of public investment will be made. He wanted to see the City and County begin from a point of flexibility in order to have the tough conversations with future developers. He provided the Council with a letter and requested that the Council consider densities that would allow for 1,700 units on the TCAAP site. He discussed the numerous benefits of this density level noting that it would provide a greater return on investment. He thanked the Council for their time and asked for questions or comments. Mayor Grant stated that based upon Commissioner McDonough’s presentation he understood that the County was interested in flexibility, density, jobs, and transportation. He commented that transportation has been a concern for the City for quite some time given the current jobs available in Arden Hills. He proposed that the County and the Metropolitan Council pay attention to the jobs on the TCAAP site as this too would drive the transportation need. Commissioner McDonough agreed that jobs would drive transportation. He provided comment on how bigger investments would follow if the site flourished with both jobs and residential density. Councilmember Holmes explained that she has ridden the bus from Arden Hills for the past 25 years. She understood that the Metropolitan Council’s plan for the northern suburbs was to create additional park and rides. She noted that there was a park and ride at County Road H already. She believed that the BRT was an inefficient option for Arden Hills’ residents given its current route. Commissioner McDonough discussed the BRT A-Line and the light rail Green Line. He believed that these routes were quicker than driving a car downtown and offered other conveniences to transit riders. He commented that park and rides were important investments to the community, but that private investments are shown to follow the BRT. Councilmember Holden provided comment on the density proposed by the City Council stating that the City was proposing to have 9.6 units per acre. She commented that the AUAR proposed a maximum of 1,700 units on TCAAP, which was an overage of 8% given that there was a change in acreage on the TCAAP site. She recommended that the County reconsider their density needs for this site. Commissioner McDonough believed that the best starting point for density on TCAAP would be 1,700 units.