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Rice Creek Commons & Trials Comments by Rich Straumann, Co -Chair Bike Walk Team Active Living Ramsey (County) Communities aka ALRC Resident of Arden Hills & Advocate for NW Ramsey County (including Arden Hills) Trails Rice Creek Commons (RCC) will have many occupants & workers - some of those will choose to even live & work in RCC. We need to provide exceptional living & working amenities to all. The housing units of RCC, now proposed at 1960, helps to provide very "substantial inventory" for an all new community that can be a "Development of Homes. Stores & more" ... That is an example of today's Green Energy use with Multi -Use Housing & other buildings planning. Thus the RCC development must supply many housing opportunities that will be desired and also affordable ... That being said - the housing demands of many, eg. for 1960 units, will help to establish the ability to provide all kinds of housing units. A diverse housing population will emerge - that can lead to the proper balance of housing supply vs.demand with nice amenities. Speaking of amenities - RCC development plans do include many pedestrian walking & biking pathways & various open spaces for exploring - including an interior waterway for activities. The various planned parks & perhaps other outdoor recreation areas will also enhance the appeal of RCC. The consideration of an indoor Recreation Center, perhaps connected to some senior housing, is very appropriate & needed. Indoor spaces, esp. in Winter, are very desired ! My main emphasis, however, is to remind all of this remaining nearby amenity to RCC ! While RCC provides some 400 acres of planned development - the area to the North of RCC, up to County Road I, provides for some additional 200 acres of Recreation Destination area. That area will someday serve as an NE Metro Recreation Destination and that means the RCC occupants - 1960 housing units - will be able to enjoy enhanced recreation in their backyard ! Rice Creek North Regional Trail with Waterway (Central Segment in NW Arden Hills with site for Recreation Destination building) - and its further North (up to the Chain of Lakes) plus its West (to the Mississippi River) Trails & Waterways - provide for exceptional trails and waterways adventures. Today (with even more planned) walking / running, biking / skating, XC-skiing / snowshoeing, canoeing / kayaking pathways are nearby for recreation adventures. Thus, I believe, as many as possible Rice Creek Commons occupants ( > 1960 units) and surrounding communities occupants also and/or RCC day workers should be offered the opportunity to live, work or just do recreation there ! It is planned - build it accordingly ! The Total - some 600 acres, can provide recreation for Arden Hills & surrounding cities !