01-03-24 PC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 6, 2023 12 record noting he supported rezoning to 1,960 because it demonstrates a commitment to a vibrant, forwarding thinking City. In addition, it will create additional affordable housing options for seniors, those in need of help, for families that wish to take advantage of the schools, and for folks that want to live and work in Arden Hills. Ed Dickinson¸ 3188 Asbury Avenue, explained there were two issues that have come together to make housing shortages occur. He stated there were too few housing units available and not enough housing was being built. He commented on a Star Tribune article that noted 2023 was on pace to be the slowest construction year, noting only 10,023 houses or apartment units were built, compared to 15,645 units that were built last year. He commented further on the Twin Cities housing market, noting Minnesota house hunters have a short supply and higher interest rates. He explained analysis of the 2020 census data found that the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area had the worst housing shortage in the United States. He reported Arden Hills, with one of the largest metro area tracts of real estate in the country has the opportunity to address the dilemma that is facing many thousands of families and individuals, to have a decent place to live. He believed Arden Hills has a great plan to help make this dream happen. He appreciated the work that was being done by the Planning Commission and the JDA. He indicated he supported the proposed zoning changes. Kristine Poelzer, 1870 Indian Place, stated she built her home 45 years ago and she has remained in the community ever since. She encouraged the Commission, Council, JDA and the developer to keep in mind how vital housing was to a community. She explained her daughter has housing and she can afford it. However, her daughter-in-law has rental housing and she has been waiting for Rice Creek Commons for years and she continues to wait. She wants to build equity and buy something other than a mobile home. She believed it was important for the City to consider the differences between buying and renting. She stated when someone buys a property they build equity, while renting leads to more turnover. She encouraged the City to bring in non- profits that provides potential homeowners with workshops in order to properly prepare people to be homeowners. She believed the City had a wonderful opportunity through Rice Creek Commons, to be able to encourage local residents to learn more about what it will take to be a homeowner. She suggested the Arden Hills newsletter feature an article that defines what are the differences are between subsidized, affordable and market rate housing. Mary Henry, 3521 Ridgewood Court, stated Rice Creek Commons was something that was near and dear to her heart. She explained she has been wanting things to happen and this development had been stuck. She commented on how housing was a major part of the economy. She understood that while new housing numbers were down, the Twin Cities metro area was still doing better than other metropolitan areas. She discussed how this development would impact the metro-wide economy and stated she believed it made the most sense to develop housing on Rice Creek Commons, versus office space. She commented on how important it was to have enough people living within this development to support the future businesses. She reported she whole-heartedly supported the proposed zoning changes. Christy Jacob, 1492 Arden Place, explained every decade the Met Council gives the City a proposed amount of affordable housing units to build in order to address the housing needs of the City at large. She reported from 2010 to 2020 the Met Council requested 272 and Arden Hills built four. She explained the Met Council then scored each City (0 to 100) at the end of each decade and Arden Hills scored a 10. She stated Shoreview, New Brighton and Roseville were in