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AH Plannin From: Katie Bach > Sent: Friday, November 24, 2023 2:16 PM To: AH Planning Subject: Public comment regarding increased density proposal at Rice Creek Commons You don't often get email from-. Learn why tins is moonant I Caution: This email oriainated outside our ormnization: Dleme use caution. Hello, I am writing to express our opposition to the proposal to increase density of the Rice Creek Commons development, which will be presented at the Planning Commission meeting Dec 6. The development of Rice Creek Commons will already be a major increase in the Arden Hills population and will bring fundamental alterations to traffic patterns, school district attendance, and business patronage. As long-time homeowners in the Round Lake neighborhood at the Hwy 10/96 intersection, we have major concerns about the proposed increase in housing that will bring further increases in traffic along the the Hwy 96 corridor and further stress the intersection at key times of day, such as morning rush hour when traffic going south to Mounds View High School and Valentine Hills Elementary is backed up to go south on Old Hwy 10. Furthermore, the proposal appears to increase housing by reducing the space allocated to mixed retail, which seems to contradict the goals of creating a more walkable mixed use development. The City is sorely in need of more options for shopping and dining in this area, and increasing housing density while reducing space allocated for services to the residents is going the wrong direction. As we have seen with the traffic and crowding of the retail corridor on Lexington, there is high demand which will only grow as more residents are added to the area. We strongly encourage the City and JDA to maintain the previously agreed 1,460 units and move forward with development per the prior plan. Sincerely, Katie Bach and Nate Cmiel 1861 Highway 96 W