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City of Arden Hills – 2040 Comprehensive Plan <br /> <br /> <br />Approved: , 2018 <br />1-1 <br />1. INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Incorporated in 1951, the City of Arden Hills lies approximately eight miles north of <br />downtown Saint Paul and downtown Minneapolis in the northwestern portion of Ramsey <br />County. The City covers 9.4 square miles and, in 2016, was home to an estimated <br />9,966 people. The residents of Arden Hills enjoy a high quality of living with access to <br />neighborhood and regional parks and trails; superb access to regional road <br />transportation; nearby commercial services; and stable neighborhoods. <br /> <br />In addition to the City’s high quality neighborhoods, Arden Hills is home to a number of <br />large corporations, many small businesses, two private colleges, a high school, an <br />elementary school, and more than 11,000 jobs 1. Arden Hills is a strong community that <br />attracts residents and businesses because of its close-knit neighborhoods, parks, <br />responsible government, and open spaces. Additionally, the Twin Cities Army <br />Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) property provides the City with an opportunity for new <br />development to help service the City’s current and future residents. <br /> <br />While Arden Hills is a stable community with a bright future, the City does face some <br />challenges. The median age has risen dramatically in recent years, a large percentage <br />of the City’s land area is tax-exempt, fewer families with children are able to afford a <br />home in the City, and the regional transportation infrastructure is at or beyond capacity <br />in many places. With 824,000 new residents expected in the Twin Cities area between <br />2010 and 2040, Arden Hills will undoubtedly feel the pressure for development and the <br />impact of development in other communities. <br /> <br />1.1 COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING <br /> <br />The Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that asks: where are we now, where do <br />we want to go, and how do we get there? This document reflects the City’s value <br />system and creates a framework for the future by providing an overall vision for the City. <br />As a guiding tool, the Plan provides a system for measuring progress, direction for day- <br />to-day and long-term decision-making, and a framework for setting priorities in several <br />key areas that are vital to the successful and efficient functioning of the community. <br />Each of the chapters in this Plan is examined in a comprehensive and community-wide <br />manner in order to take advantage of opportunities, increase efficiency, and work <br />toward building a stronger community. <br /> <br />The City recognizes the importance of planning and setting community-wide goals; <br />however, this Plan is also being prepared as a requirement of the Metropolitan Land <br /> <br />1 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development – 2nd Quarter 2017 QCEW Data <br /> <br />Dr <br />a <br />f <br />t <br /> <br />03 <br />/ <br />0 <br />7 <br />/ <br />2 <br />0 <br />1 <br />8