01-08-24-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

January 2, 2024 To Mayor Grant, Arden Hills City Council Members, Arden Hills Planning Commission, After attending the informational meeting about the Rice Creek Commons Development plan last November and the Planning Commission meeting on December6, 2023, 1 would like to share some important concerns and feedback with you. My husband, Keith, and I moved to 4409 Royal Hills Drive, Arden Hills in 1991 and raised our three sons here. Needless to say, we are extremely happy with that decision. When we first moved here, we heard chatter about the future development of the area now called Rice Creek Commons. Because we live so close to Hwy 96 and North Heights Church, we have been very concerned and interested in what that development might look like. It will definitely have a direct impact on those of us who live so close to the area. I would like to share my feedback regarding the two meetings I attended. Reaction to the information meeting: It was very concerning that many of the presenters had conflicting information regarding affordable housing, high density housing, rentals, traffic flow, and issues with the environmental impact of this project. It was interesting to note that when asked where these presenters currently lived, NONE of them lived in this area. When asked why an additional 500 units was necessary, the response was "because Arden Hills needs more housing". When asked how this project would impact them personally---i.e.—with an enormous increase in traffic, noise, and pollution ---no one had answers. I assuming that most of these people don't live in this area. I was also frustrated with the "urgency" to get this project started and the addition of 500 units. Obviously, there are still several concerns that need to be addressed before the project starts. Reaction to the Planning Commission meeting: After a lengthy and through explanation of the proposal to amend the current plan, some of the commissioners shared their concerns ---- several of the same concerns I have: TRAFFIC: With a current grade of "F" at the intersection of Hwy 96 and North Heights Church and Hwy 10, adding hundreds of more cars is NOT going to improve that situation. For those of us who need to go westbound on Hwy 96 from northbound N Snelling, making a left hand turn will be extremely difficult. If that intersection is to be changed, what would that look like? Obviously, more study needs to be done. NOISE: The noise level from Hwy 10 and 35W has gotten much worse in the last few years. When Hwy 10 was reconstructed, we were told that the noise level would improve because the vehicles wouldn't have to stop and go at the old stoplight. That has definitely NOT happened. More cars=more noise. NOT A GOOD PLAN.