11-02-23-SWS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 2 of 2 Should Council want to entertain increasing the density on the site, it should direct Staff to proceed with drafting the necessary amendments to the TRC and Comprehensive Plan. Council may want to direct any further public engagement on these items, and it should be noted that there will be applicable Public Hearings associated with these amendments. Affordability Currently, the affordability on the site is expected to be that at least twenty percent of the units will be affordable at a price range of sixty percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), or less. It is anticipated that Ramsey County, through its financing mechanisms, will be seeking deeply affordability on some of the units down to thirty percent of AMI. Most of this affordability will be on the rental side; however, it is also anticipated that there will be affordability for owner-occupied housing. Ownership versus Rental While the exact ratio of owner occupied to rental needs to be further refined, the Council and Ramsey County have expressed a strong preference for ownership opportunities on the site. Traffic Concerns surrounding traffic have been expressed about the project, and Ramsey County is currently reviewing adjacent County roadways to provide hard data that will illustrate the impact of the RCC project. What we can say today is that roadways, such as, Highway 96 were designed to accommodate TCAAP when it is built out, and the study will either confirm this or provide further insight as to what may be needed. The 2014 AUAR and 2019 update reviewed the entrances/exits to TCAAP, as well as, surrounding intersections. Those results can be found on the City’s website (https://www.cityofardenhills.org/DocumentCenter/View/3285/2019-08-27-TCAAP-AUAR- Update-Adopted-PDF?bidId=). Regarding traffic internal to the site, like all development projects, that is reviewed and addressed as part of the design. Analysis was not completed as part of the 1,460 zoning; if the density is increased to 1,960, there will be an offset of the additional trips generated due to not having the Flex Office use in that location. Regardless of the 1,460 or 1,960, traffic design and impacts will be part of the final design and engineered accordingly. School District There have been questions regarding the school district’s ability to handle the additional enrollment due to the RCC project. Staff has confirmed with the school district that they are able to handle the additional capacity at the proposed density scenario of 1,960. At its last worksession, the City Council also raised items related to bike paths, small business attraction, short-term rentals, cost of electricity versus gas, and bird safety. Budget Impact N/A Attachment N/A