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TCAAP AUAR Update August 2019 Response to The Alliance for Metropolitan Stability Failure to Discuss TCAAP Plan Implications for Bus Rapid Transit After adoption of the 2014 AUAR, the A Line Corridor Extension Evaluation was completed by Metro Transit in September 2016.8 Metro Transit’s study noted that the A Line extension service area would likely need substantial land use change (and revised employee home locations) throughout the corridor to achieve even minimum required levels of service productivity to meet the estimated incremental operating cost. A phased approach of improved local service and future, phased BRT service may provide a path toward sufficient service productivity to sustain service, while also supporting land use goals and transportation needs in the corridor. The Metropolitan Council’s 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (adopted October 24, 2018) does not include the A Line extension as part of its’ Current Revenue Scenario; therefore, it is not addressed in the AUAR Update. Failure to Discuss Compatibility of TCAAP Plans with the City’s Comprehensive Plan The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board’s document titled “Recommended Content and Format: Alternative Urban Areawide Review Documents”9 states that the anticipated types (single or multiple family) and intensity (density) of residential and commercial/warehouse/light industrial development throughout the AUAR area should be given for each development scenario. The defined development scenarios are consistent with that guidance. Specific housing cost types are not typically defined in an AUAR or EAW. As noted in Chapter 7: Housing of the Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan,10 the Metropolitan Council’s long-range plan for the region (Thrive MSP 2040) states that communities must guide a sufficient amount of land at minimum densities to provide opportunities for affordable housing to be developed. Communities have two options to provide this density: Option 1 is to guide sufficient land at a minimum of 8 dwelling units per net acre (du/ac), and Option 2 is to guide sufficient land at a minimum of 12 du/ac for the affordable housing allocation of 50% Area Median Income (AMI ) and below and sufficient land at a minimum of 6 du/ac for the affordable housing allocation between 51% and 80% AMI. Arden Hills has proposed to use Option 2 to achieve the affordable housing allocation. For more information, see Chapter 7: Housing of the Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 8 Available at https://www.metrotransit.org/Data/Sites/1/media/abrt/aline/20160913_final-a-line-extension- evaluation.pdf. 9 Available at https://www.eqb.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/documents/AUAR%20guidance%20(form)%20-9-09.pdf. 10 Available at https://www.cityofardenhills.org/451/2040-Comprehensive-Plan.