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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES <br />APRIL 15,2002 <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />as a "take it all, leave it all" issue. He suggested the Council pick a first choice and an alternate <br />team. <br /> <br />Council Member Aplikowski said thc cngine driving this issue is governmental relations. She is <br />more impressed with the OPUS presentation on these criteria, as wen as bascd on the design and <br />their attention to enviromnental issues. <br /> <br />Council Mcmber Larson notcd his choices as: Centex (first) and Rottlund (second). He wants to <br />see more residential development and thinks of the area as residential. He does not see this as a <br />big regional center for the Twin Cities. He likes combined residential/commercial. Regarding <br />Centex, has had a good experience with them, and thinks thcy did the best job of fonowing up <br />with City Council. Hc said there is a strong political element to this project as they did bring in <br />formcr Senator Grams and would likc to see some of the other consortiums that could address <br />issues like Presbyterian Homes-and other life cycle housing scenarios. <br /> <br />Council Member Grant believes Centex offers what is closest to what the City wants, with less <br />risk, and retail dcvc10pment is something the City Council is struggling with. His second choice, <br />but not rcal strong second is Mills. <br /> <br />Council Member Rem said she had heard lrom various people that the financial engine which <br />would drive this is a certain amount of commercial dcvelopment, and asked hmv is this going to <br />pay for it. She agreed that OPUS seemed to have a bettcr handle on what is better for the City <br />with a clear vision, which is appreciated. She asked ifthis is going to be another residential <br />community. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst said Mills is not an appropriate partncr, stating the City needs to contract with a <br />group that can make the land transfer work, that being Ccntex/Gle1m Rehbein Companies. lIe <br />said clcarly the environmcntal issues are paramount, and OPUS is his second choice. He said he <br />wants to go with the developer with thc most land transfer experiencc. <br /> <br />Council Member Aplikowski requested staff's opinion. <br /> <br />Pla.tmer PatTish state that staff was not prepared to make a recommendation. Howcver, he agreed <br />with Centex as first candidate, and OPUS as second. <br /> <br />Mr. Post stated he chose OPUS first and Ccntcx as a second candidate, cxplaining he was more <br />impressed with the govenunental affairs team of OPUS, and Centex residcntial expertise. <br /> <br />Mr. Moore noted his choices were OPUS first, Ccntex second. <br /> <br />AdministTator LJ~lch said he thought the City should go through a platming phase to first <br />determine its vision for the site. He stated his choices are Centex first, Mins/OPUs sccond. <br /> <br />Council Membcr Aplikowski said she agreed with Council Mcmber Rem in that the City needs <br />thc commcrcial dcvclopmcnt at this site. <br />