Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — NOVEMBER 2, 2023 3 <br />that some of the housing in Rice Creek Commons may be affordable for those that need it. He <br />believed communities that prosper will plan for the years ahead and work to carry those plans out. <br />He was proud to live in a community where the City Council and JDA were doing just that and he <br />thanked them for their achievements. <br />Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, stated that the City Council has said they are willing to <br />answer all questions so she created a document of her questions. She didn't think there were <br />many people against TCAAP being developed, it's the manner in which it's being developed. She <br />was disappointed at the open house because there was no option other than 1,960. Why don't they <br />know the number of proposed people in the area, what financial information is going on — what <br />the City will be required to pay for things; when and why, traffic information, which area will be <br />platted first, how many buildings will be in different areas. They are deleting jobs by deleting <br />areas that will now be housing, so they are no longer are creating jobs in the area. MTC isn't in <br />any discussions with Ramsey County, so there isn't any mass transit being decided in the area. <br />She continued that at the September 11 Council meeting the Council was provided with a <br />summary of the JDA Advisory meeting. She asked for the entire summary be included in the <br />advisory meeting and she didn't get a response to her request. The last JDA summary on the <br />website was September 7. On October 1 she requested a list of resident recommendations that the <br />JDA is including in their plans along with the name of the resident that made the request but she <br />hasn't received a response to that. <br />2. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br />None. <br />3. AGENDA ITEMS <br />A. Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP Discussion <br />Mayor Grant said they had a memo from staff outlining several areas of discussion. It was <br />decided to go through the items one by one. <br />Councilmember Rousseau thought there were some really great questions asked at the open <br />house. She said people asked about staying in Arden Hills but downsizing and they were <br />interested in knowing about lot sizes and single level homes. She wondered what the areas that <br />were being changed to housing had for green space and lot sizes. <br />Mr. Lux replied the changes occurred in two areas of the plan, one in the southwest corner and <br />the area known as Town Center South. They added approximately 500 total units. The zoning will <br />decide the lot sizes, and whether they are single, townhomes or multifamily. As they go through <br />the planning process they will test where the market is at that moment and design to fit the market <br />demand. The lots on the southwest site are small, approximately 45 feet. They are being seen as <br />either entry level for sale or single family for rent. The people he spoke with about those lots were <br />primarily seniors but they were also talking about their children wanting access into Arden Hills. <br />Councilmember Rousseau said in 15 years when this is built out she would be starting to <br />consider what downsizing looks like for them and if they could stay in Arden Hills, along with her <br />daughters looking for their first homes. <br />