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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL— SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 2 <br /> Mayor Grant commented as long as there were bidders in the auction, the sale of the primer <br /> tracer property would continue. He noted the initial bid was $110,000 and the price was now up to <br /> $800,000. He explained the auction would continue until there were no bids for a 24 hour period. <br /> Councilmember Rousseau asked if the County has set a minimum range for the density within <br /> this project. <br /> City Administrator Perrault stated Ramsey County has not set a floor for the density. He <br /> anticipated the number would be above 1,460. He reported zoning code amendments would have <br /> to happen if the number were increased above 1,460, they could go up to 1,785 to 1,790 without <br /> Met Council approval, but this would mean increased density in the Town Center. He noted the <br /> developer does not recommend increasing the density in the Town Center due to the cost of <br /> concrete. <br /> Councilmember Holden reported she was surprised by Commissioner Frethem's comment, <br /> noting the City had offered this number of units many years ago. She indicated she was surprised <br /> by the fact the JDA meeting did not include a real estate market expert. She questioned if staff <br /> would be bringing someone forward to speak to the housing market. <br /> City Administrator Perrault stated as of right now, the JDA was not planning to have any other <br /> outside experts coming in to address the JDA. He noted the next update would be from Bob Lux <br /> with Alatus to talk about his proposed development scenario and what he believes would be a <br /> good fit for the site. <br /> Councilmember Holden explained she was concerned with how the focus of the discussion was <br /> about cramming a large number of people into a small area in order to feel safe. She indicated this <br /> was not working right now in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She indicated the panelists were not <br /> market experts but rather were people invited in to provide their perspective. <br /> Councilmember Fabel asked if the 1,460 number would require an amendment to the zoning <br /> code because the building heights would be lowered in the Town Center area. <br /> City Administrator Perrault reported the developer was requesting the elimination of some of <br /> the Flex Office space in the southwest portion of the development in order to allow for more <br /> housing. He recommended the developer speak to this question further. <br /> Mayor Grant noted there is no Master Developer at this time as there is not a signed <br /> memorandum of understanding with the developer for this project. He hoped Bob Lux would sign <br /> an MOU at some point. <br /> Councilmember Monson commented she believed the experts that were brought in for the JDA <br /> worksession were really good. She understood staff had worked to find a realtor and to get the <br /> developer in attendance, but noted fantastic information was provided. She commented on how <br /> the post-pandemic world was discussed and stated she looked forward to hearing from the <br /> developer on September 27. She looked forward to a consultant coming in to assist the Energy <br /> Advisory Committee. <br />