12-06-23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 6, 2023 14 Commission Mitchell that it was a problem to place housing adjacent to Highway 10 and County Road 96. She discussed how the development only had two access points which would lead to traffic concerns. She did not believe this project was utopian progress, but rather would distort a suburb for the sake of density goals from outside our borders that were inflicted on the City by a hostile takeover of the City the slate, three of four who were elected. She encouraged the Commission to slow down and to review the traffic study, AUAR and financials once they were available before making a density decision. She believed density should not be decided before these things were done. Donna Wiemann, 1406 Arden View Drive, stated at the November 1 TCAAP community engagement meeting there were many varied concerns, reactions and questions. She noted a summary of the comments received were submitted to the JDA on Monday, December 4. Since that time, nothing has changed. Apparently, what the residents were saying on the surveys or the questions that were raised did not make any difference to the proposal being considered by the Commission. She reported the Commission was being asked to change the comp plan without many questions being answered. She stated traffic was a major concern and a traffic study has not been completed. Another concern was how the schools will be impacted, and the City does not know. She asked how many more police officers or firefighters will be required to keep the community safe. She questioned how much more residents will have to pay for utilities and streets before property owners within TCAAP begin paying their fare share. She noted the preliminary agreement that was signed by the developer and JDA calls for a minimum number of units to be affordable (20% of the units at 60% AMI). She stated this means hundreds of units will be at a minimum affordable to renters. She questioned who would decide if this minimum number could be increased. She understood Ramsey County needs 15,000 deeply affordable units (units affordable at 30% AMI) we don’t know what that means to TCAAP. She reported when it comes to subsidies for these very affordable units, it typically comes from TIF, which would have to be funded by the City. Lastly, she noted the TCAAP vision included parcels that were to be developed for commercial, industrial and retail. She stated this was included for economic vitality and to create good paying jobs. She commented on how removing 30 acres from the commercial/retail space of the development would impact jobs. She suggested the City speak with local businesses to see if they are interested in moving to Arden Hills. She was of the opinion good paying jobs were just as important as housing. She urged the Commission to hold off from taking action on this item until the Commission had more information. Sherrie Marcy, 1460 Arden View Drive, stated she was encouraged by what the City was doing and commented on how important it was for people to have homes. She explained she appreciated the work the City has put into this project and urged the Commission to support the additional housing density. The Planning Commission received at the dais copies of public comments submitted in advance of the meeting from the following individuals: Frances Thelen, 1222 Carlton Drive Katie Bach and Nate Cmiel, 1861 Highway 96 W. Keith Gilbert, no address provided Arnie and Shelly Hawkins, 1820 Chatham Avenue Lyle Salmela, 1480 Arden Vista Court Rich Straumann, 4380 Arden View Court Kate Olson, no address provided