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