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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — DECEMBER 11, 2023 <br />N <br />2. TCAAP/RICE CREEK COMMONS UPDATE <br />City Administrator Perrault stated since the last City Council meeting, the JDA met on <br />December 4th. The full agenda and supporting information can be found on the online packet on <br />the City's website. Notable items from the meeting include the JDA approving a Preliminary <br />Development Agreement with Alatus, this agreement binds Alatus to come to a development <br />agreement on the project until June 2025. The JDA also passed a term sheet which outlines <br />significant deal points to be worked into the future development agreement, such as, density, <br />affordability, and financing goals. On December 6th, the City of Arden Hills' Planning <br />Commission considered the proposal to increase the allowable density from 1,460 housing units to <br />1,960 housing units on Rice Creek Commons. The plan was recommended for approval and is set <br />to go to the City Council at their January 8th City Council meeting. The January 8th City Council <br />meeting will also include a public hearing for the public to provide feedback on the proposal. <br />Lastly, the energy committee is still seeking a consultant to help shape energy policies at RCC, the <br />RFP closes on December 13th and the contract start date is anticipated to be January 1 st. That <br />concludes my JDA update. <br />Councilmember Monson reported within the JDA term sheet it did specifically address the <br />density, setting the maximum at 1,960 units. She explained as information comes in and finer <br />details are negotiated with the developer, the number of units may be reduced. She stated the <br />survey responses from the open house were reviewed by the JDA. She indicated she was not <br />surprised by many of the comments that were made. She highlighted one comment, suggesting the <br />JDA and City Council consider how TCAAP will be accessed by foot or via bicycle. She reported <br />the Energy Advisory Committee met recently and discussed a recently drafted geothermal memo. <br />Councilmember Holden asked if the JDA would be going around the Army, since the City was <br />told previously and on more than one occasion that geothermal would not be allowed on this site. <br />Councilmember Monson stated the Army has not told the JDA no, which was one of the initial <br />findings from the recent geothermal memo. She reported a formal request would have to go before <br />the Army and in the meantime the Energy Advisory Committee and the JDA would be doing their <br />due diligence. <br />3. PUBLIC INQUIRIESANFORMATIONAL <br />Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, stated since nothing was listed on the materials provided to <br />the residents, was she to believe that no funding would be expended in 2024 related to TCAAP. <br />She explained if the City expects expenses, why was nothing listed or identified. She hoped that <br />the Council would address this matter within the 2024 budget. <br />Donna Wiemann, 1406 Arden View Drive, reported she asked a question at the last Council <br />meeting that had not been answered. She asked what other cities along Highway 96 built whatever <br />they wanted along this roadway. She requested staff identify these other cities and name the <br />approved developments along Highway 96 that were similar to TCAAP. <br />Carol Moss, Hellmuth & Johnson, 8050 West 78th Street, Edina, explained she was an attorney <br />representing a client (Arden Hills Tobacco) and she wished to address the City Council regarding <br />