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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — NOVEMBER 21, 2016 6 <br />Mayor Grant believed there were too many apartment units as well. He wanted to see this <br />number closer to 450 rather than 880. <br />Councilmember Holmes understood that in order for the Town Center to be successful more than <br />450 units would be needed. <br />Councilmember Wicklund appreciated the fact that his fellow Councilmembers had a pulse of <br />the Arden Hills' residents. He valued this input but believed there was a slight misunderstanding <br />when comparing the Town Center to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul based on the total area of <br />those two cities. He wanted to be assured that residents were being properly educated on the <br />difference between the Town Center and Washington Avenue in Minneapolis. It was his hope <br />that the Council could talk through these issues in order to arrive at 5-0 vote for the TRC. <br />Councilmember McClung stated at the end of the day the TRC needed to move forward. He <br />commented he was recently reelected and spoke to many residents through this process. He <br />explained he did not receive as much negative feedback on the TCAAP plan as Councilmember <br />Holden had received. He indicated he spent a great deal of time speaking with residents about the <br />plan and believed the vast majority were supportive. <br />Councilmember Holden explained she has heard from people why another developer was not <br />selected that would come in at six stories instead of 10. <br />Councilmember Wicklund believed six stories was classic and had already been done. He <br />believed that Alatus was offering something more, a development that would be talked about. <br />Councilmember Holmes indicated 16 people believed 10 stories was too high, while the majority <br />supported the height. She believed the Open House had a great turn out and more people liked the <br />plan than didn't like the plan. She didn't know what else the Council could do to assist <br />Councilmember Holden. She questioned what the density should be. <br />Councilmember Holden feared that most people did support the plan, but still had concerns with <br />density and building height. <br />Mayor Grant stated after reviewing the boards at the Open House he was not certain that <br />residents would have fully understood the mix of housing to retail. <br />Councilmember Holmes indicated another theory would be that people were going to hear what <br />they wanted to hear. She commented the Open House provided her verification and she was <br />surprised by the number of positive responses. <br />Councilmember McClung questioned what would be needed from the City Council to move <br />forward. <br />Interim City Planner Zweber commented a Public Hearing had been posted in the paper for <br />December 7, 2016. <br />