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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 13, 2023 5 <br /> Councilmember Monson indicated the second concern from the Mayor was that big box retail <br /> would move into the red space. <br /> Community Development Director Jagoe reported in the retail mixed use, office mixed use and <br /> flex office,retail sales and service was an allowed use, which included big box retail. <br /> Councilmember Monson questioned why big box was a concern for the City. <br /> Mayor Grant stated he wanted to see the best and highest uses within this development, which <br /> did not include big box or warehouses, especially consider the fact the project lost 32 acres of flex <br /> office space. <br /> Councilmember Monson requested the analysis for the 1,960 units include information on what <br /> this project would look like and how the City could work to bring in smaller retail. <br /> Community Development Director Jagoe stated if there are other changes, beyond going from <br /> flex office to neighborhood residential district, this direction should be provided from the City <br /> Council because this information would have to identified within the public hearing notice. <br /> Councilmember Rousseau indicated she was in favor of having the smaller retail and mixed <br /> uses. She reported if this model were followed, she wondered where a larger grocery store could <br /> be located. <br /> Councilmember Monson reported a lot of the big box retailers now offer groceries. <br /> Councilmember Holden explained the Council fought for the small portion of red (retail) near <br /> County Road 96 because the developer did not want retail in this area. She supported more retail <br /> being placed in this area of the development in order to create more jobs. <br /> Councilmember Fabel indicated what the Council was discussing had potential dire <br /> consequences. He discussed how the flexibility within the current zoning plan would be <br /> compromised if changes were made. He explained the governance of this property rests with the <br /> JDA and the JDA supports a zoning plan with flexibility. He reported the JDA will continue to <br /> work within this plan with the best interests in mind. He stated the only change that has been <br /> made by the JDA was the decision that there should be more residential space/density. He <br /> explained all of the other zoning decisions were to remain as is. He did not support the Council <br /> getting involved in additional zoning modifications, other than those that were approved by the <br /> JDA. <br /> Mayor Grant thanked Councilmember Fabel for his comments. He reported the City did not give <br /> up its zoning authority to the County or the JDA. He stated the City was still responsible for <br /> zoning and if this map changes in any way, this would be a City initiated project that the Council <br /> votes on and is brought to the Met Council for consideration. He clarified that the JDA cannot <br /> make changes to the zoning within the City without the Council's consent. He asked if the <br /> Council could make changes to the zoning map prior to this item going to the Met Council. <br />