07-25-22-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 27, 2022 8 overlooked, isolated and disconnected. He noted he had staff members and many volunteers committed to work with the aging population. He was excited about the opportunity to move forward with the proposed project. Kurtis Weber, 4453 Old Highway 10, indicated the applicant has now testified what they intend to do on this property. He stated he served on the Planning Commission, but noted he was speaking as a resident that lives near the subject property. He reported at the Planning Commission meeting Trident discussed how important it was to have support from the neighborhood. However, after hearing much resistance from the neighbors and a recommendation for denial from the Planning Commission, Trident has opted to move the request forward. He explained this indicates to him that neither North Heights Church or Trident Development are concerned with what the neighborhood thinks, if they believe the Council will offer support. He commented he received 28 signatures from his neighbors that do not support the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment. He then read a letter in full for the record stating his reasons for not supporting this request. He encouraged the Council to consider the number of neighbors that oppose this request and deny the Comprehensive Plan Amendment application. Gunnar Unger, 1700 Highway 96, stated he was a representative of North Heights Church. He understood the neighbors had with this development but noted the property had a large buffer to the east, roadways to the west and no residents to the north. He believed the impact to the neighbors was quite small given the distance these neighbors were from the proposed project. He commented on the traffic impact, stating he believed it would be minimal because seniors did their traveling throughout the day and would not surge during the AM and PM peak traffic times. Ryan Jenner, 1555 McClung, indicated he believed this project would adversely impact the neighborhood in many ways. He stated there was already increased traffic along McClung and Colleen from the church because this was the route to Hamline Avenue. He reported the lack of a plan for direct access to Highway 96 was concerning to him. He believed this area was not feasible for high-density residential given the poor access to the site. He discussed how the TCAAP site would provide senior housing and recommended the North Heights Church property not be reguided for high density residential. He noted his wife was a realtor and it was his understanding the community needed more single family homes. He suggested single family homes be considered for this property and not high density residential. He feared that the community was building too many senior housing units at this time and they would all turn into low income housing in the future. He reported he was not against low income housing, but rather was against all of the traffic that would come with the new senior housing development and how it would change the character of the neighborhood. He believed that making this change without detailed plans was indefensible. Jim Ostlund, 1576 Royal Hills Drive, indicated he has lived in his home for 30+ years. He noted this is the third or fourth proposal that came from North Heights Church. He was of the opinion this was the best proposal to come forward. He understood North Heights wanted to develop the northwest corner. He explained he worked in banking and he understood development came with increased traffic. He recommended additional buffering be put in place and encouraged the Council to put a lot of conditions in place with the PUD.