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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – OCTOBER 31, 2016 4 <br /> <br />Mr. Lux discussed the 60% limit and described how corners within the Town Center would be <br />wrapped with stately looking buildings. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund recommended the developer have enough flexibility to design <br />friendly building structures and to not create restrictions regarding a certain percentage of front <br />footage. He believed that such limitations would create a code that was highly regulatory. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant understood Councilmember Wicklund’s perspective but also believed that some <br />parameters had to be put in place. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund recommended the developer be allowed to decide how the buildings <br />along the block would be massed. <br /> <br />Mr. Lux described how Town Center could be broken into two parcels. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant recommended the Council move on. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if the Council was going to support the 60% limit. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant suggested the 60% limit be included in the code, excluding the roadway with <br />bookends. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden recommended that a percentage be set for the amount of retail that <br />could be located within the buildings in Town Center. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler suggested the land use table be amended to address this requirement. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant began to discuss the Civic area of the development and the uses that would be <br />allowed in this district. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes questioned who would be constructing and paying for the buildings in <br />the Civic area. She stated this was never on the City’s plan. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund did not understand the vision for this piece of property. He <br />understood what could be located on the land but believed the only practical application for the <br />parcel was to move City Hall to the center. <br /> <br />Mr. Lux discussed his vision for the Civic area. He thought the 1.3 acres should be something <br />the City and region could benefit from. He believed a Civic use would assist in drawing people to <br />the site. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund asked if Arden Hills should consider a community center. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden did not believe this would be the best option given the number of <br />community centers surrounding the City. <br />