11-22-21-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 25, 2021 2 which recently concluded, but the Council remains committed to supporting the redevelopment to achieve the same goals it established in January of 2016: the City seeks to have the development provide a true mixed-use village of office, manufacturing, retail space and housing for the area that provides new tax revenues, a diverse blend of land uses, high wage jobs, and the efficient delivery of public and private services that will enhance but remain complementary to existing development within the City. In regards to affordability, the City recognizes the need for affordable and life cycle housing with a particular focus on young professionals, move up housing, and senior citizens. It is important to note that the City itself does NOT regulate affordable housing, in-fact the City is not standing in the way of increased affordability on the site, but it cannot divert funds from every-day operations, like police and fire protection or road maintenance to pay for additional affordable housing. The County and/or Master Developer may seek outside funding sources to make TCAAP more affordable. This would be above and beyond the affordability measures already built in to TCAAP as part of the City’s goals established back in 2016. For density, the City’s current land use and comprehensive plan contemplate a maximum of 1,460 residential units at an overall average density of no greater than 9.46 units per acre. That density is roughly three times greater than the current city average density, and unlike other developments identified that have a broader grid network of streets for access and readily available public transportation, Rice Creek Commons is dependent on a single spine road with two primary ingress and egress points north and south for its transportation needs and is planned for a higher concentration of office, manufacturing, commercial and retail uses than those other developments. The planned level of density aims to keep TCAAP a viable, long-term investment for the region, while not overbuilding to the point of creating more problems for the local infrastructure, such as, extreme traffic congestion. Times have changed, and the needs and constraints of the existing and future residents of the City will also change as the project progresses, which is why the City is committed to continue its discussions with the Master Developer and the County through the established Joint Development Authority to review the changing dynamics. But that can’t happen unless and until the County recommits to the previously agreed to process. In the absence of an open and transparent process, the public will be left to wonder. 4. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS A. Lexington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update Steve Weser, Alliant Engineering, Inc., provided the Council with a presentation on the Lexington Avenue Reconstruction Project. He noted there would be a full reconstruction of Lexington Avenue from I-694 to County Road E with some signal and median work being done. The project would be led by Ramsey County with partnerships from Shoreview, Arden Hills, MNDOT and adjacent residents and businesses. The purpose for this project would be replace aging infrastructure, to update utilities, improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities and to provide safety improvements. The proposed timeline and staging for the project was reviewed with the Council. He commented on the public engagement that occurred which included a series of open