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The City heard from retail developers that with the growing popularity of online <br />shopping, shopping at bricks -and -mortar stores has become more experience -based. <br />Shopping has become a form of entertainment and consumers want to do their <br />shopping in an environment that adds to the experience. <br />Commercial -industrial developers felt that the site was well -located, but cautioned that <br />the City and County will need to be patient to secure the high-quality jobs that they <br />want. <br />Development Director Hutmacher stated that in addition to feedback from residents and <br />developers, the City took Ramsey County comments into consideration as well. Due to the <br />County's goals for high-quality jobs and tax base increases, over 50% of the developable <br />acreage is designated for commercial/industrial use. Based on County input following <br />discussions with a potential retail developer, the primary retail location was shifted to the west <br />of the Spine Road. In addition, city parks were located away from high-value commercial areas. <br />Development Director Hutmacher explained that County staff has indicated that density of 10 <br />units per acre is necessary to support transit. The land use plan preliminarily approved by the <br />Council on May 26 includes an overall site density of approximately 9% units per acre, with <br />density as high as 45 units per acre in the Town Center. In most existing Arden Hills <br />neighborhoods, gross density is generally 2 to 3 units per acre, so the preliminarily approved <br />land use plan represents a significant change from current development patterns. <br />Development Director Hutmacher reported that since August of 2014, the Council has been <br />meeting weekly to consider community and developer input into the TRC. The Council has <br />carefully weighed and considered hundreds of issues on the regulating plan that has: <br />• Approximately 151 acres designated for residential development; <br />• 168 acres designated for commercial/industrial development; <br />• 25 acres for City parks; and <br />83 acres for the Spine Road, regional stormwater infrastructure, and the existing water <br />treatment facility. <br />Development Director Hutmacher indicated that the regulating plan or zoning map can be <br />discussed in terms of neighborhoods or districts. The Campus Commercial district is <br />approximately 47 acres and could support up to 500,000 square feet of commercial <br />development within a business park setting. The Creek neighborhood is designated for single- <br />family housing. Based on developer input, the Creek neighborhood can accommodate up to 29 <br />likely upscale homes on large lots (approximately 85 feet wide). The Creek neighborhood could <br />also support up to 93 homes on medium sized lots (approximately 65-75 feet wide) and 32 <br />homes on small single family lots. <br />Development Director Hutmacher indicated the completion of the TRC marks a significant <br />milestone in the TCAAP project, but much work remains. For the JDA, the next steps include <br />