12-06-23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 6, 2023 13 the high 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. She commented the City of Arden Hills was now tasked with constructing 373 affordable housing units for this decade. She indicated if the City were to keep the density at 1,460 with 10% affordability, the City would fail to meet its requirement yet again. She commented on how she believed the Rice Creek Commons development was an extraordinary opportunity for the City to build up to 1,960 units at 20% affordability. She urged the Commission to support the proposed zoning and comp plan changes as this development would be a tremendous opportunity for the entire community. She commended the Commission for addressing the issues of pollution and traffic, noting these issues were solvable. Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, stated the Planning Commission would be making a very important decision tonight. He reported his involvement with this issue goes back to 1995 when he was sitting on the Planning Commission. He discussed the history of the TCAAP site, noting for the last six years there has been stalemate and litigation. He indicated the City was unwilling to compromise and the County was unwilling to proceed without an increase over 1,460 units. He reported the 2022 election brought a new majority to the City Council that was committed to moving this project forward. He commented on how progress was occurring, the JDA was meeting again and compromise was reached on a new housing number of 1,960. In addition, the JDA and developer reached a term sheet. He explained the decision being made by the Planning Commission was the next step. He indicated the proposed zoning changes would reclassify some portions of the property in order to add housing density. He stated in listening to the discussion of the Commission he feared that some Commissioners were seeking details that were just not available at this time. He reported a base was trying to be established for the developer, City and County in order to move this project forward. He stated the 1,960 units would be a ceiling or maximum. He indicated a lot of things could change over the next 15 to 20 years as this site develops. He urged the Commission to positively contribute to the change occurring in the community by supporting the proposed rezoning and zoning code amendments. Lynn Diaz, 1143 Ingerson Road, stated she supported the increased density. She believed it made economic and environmental sense. She noted this density would allow for more affordable housing along with different types of housing. She hoped there would be an effort to provide housing that was lower than 60% AMI, which was especially needed. She wanted to see people who worked in Arden Hills to be able to live in Arden Hills. She supported the project having affordable housing that was for rent or for purchase. She supported the development being all electric as this was better for the environment. She noted there was a demand for walkable neighborhoods and commented on how a higher density would assist with more transportation options. Kathy Sukke, 1286 Karth Lake Circle, stated she had her first child a block from Harlem. She explained she understood density. She commented on how this development will impact those residents who live in the northern part of Arden Hills the most. She explained northern Arden Hills was diverse with Arden Manor, apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. She stated northern Arden Hills currently had 1,435 units with 3,730 residents. She estimated that the proposed 1,960 units would put an additional 5,100 residents in northern Arden Hills. She stated this raises the population of Arden Hills by 136%. She requested this not be done. She discussed how the housing within the development would be placed on 192 acres or 30% of a square mile. She expressed concern with the fact Arden Hills would have more people per square mile than Minneapolis or St. Paul. She questioned why the City would pursue this. She feared the City was pursuing a distorted density simply for Ramsey County or the Met Council. She agreed with