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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — DECEMBER 11, 2023 12 <br />Councilmember Holden reported she was not able to attend the tour this morning. She stated it <br />was curious that Alatus had not toured a 10 or 15 year old apartment complex with the Council <br />and JDA members. She understood Mr. Lux would not be managing the apartment buildings he <br />constructs. She commented on how the apartments in Hopkins were located on a bus line, which <br />would differ from the apartments that were being built on Rice Creek Commons. <br />Councilmember Holden requested the fire department provide the City with more timely <br />information on their publicly hosted events. She questioned what work was being done to pursue <br />additional funding for the fire station. <br />Councilmember Monson stated she could report back with this information at a future City <br />Council meeting. <br />Councilmember Rousseau reported at the last Planning Commission meeting, the Rice Creek <br />Commons density was approved on a 4-2 vote. She indicated six of the Commissioners expressed <br />concern regarding air and noise pollution and strongly advised that the Council study these <br />matters in order to mitigate these factors, particularly around the areas surrounding Highway 10/ <br />Highway 96. In addition, the Commission was concerned with the fact an updated traffic study <br />had not been completed. The Commission recommended the proposed North Heights project be <br />included within the traffic study. She stated a Commissioner spoke to her regarding the <br />importance of having owner occupied units on Rice Creek Commons versus rental/AirBNB units. <br />Councilmember Rousseau explained she had a meeting with a resident last week where they <br />provided glowing feedback after their interactions with Community Development Director Jagoe. <br />She thanked Director Jagoe for caring for the City's residents. <br />Councilmember Rousseau reported the City had four student committee/commission <br />representatives. She thanked these representatives for being brilliant, noting one of these students <br />recently received a 36 on her ACT and another was a 4.0 student. <br />Mayor Grant stated in a previous comment he made about TCAAP, he noted the development <br />was to have 4,000 jobs. He explained he went back to the January loth edition of the Star Tribune <br />noting in this article the Arden Hills Council promised to spur development at ammunition site. In <br />a paragraph at the end of this article, it says while campaigning new Councilmembers were eager <br />to see the benefits of Rice Creek Commons, including $700 million in new development and <br />4,000 jobs. He stated since that time, the Council seems to have moved away from its <br />commitment to jobs after removing 32 acres of commercial property from the TCAAP project. He <br />renewed his comments on how important jobs were to the community and this development. He <br />urged the Council to strongly look at the commercial developments within this project to ensure <br />there were good paying jobs on this site. <br />Mayor Grant indicated he attended the Alatus tour this morning. He explained it was easy to tour <br />a facility and see one building. He commented on how TCAAP would have 427 acres of <br />buildings, which would look greatly different than a single building. He reiterated that the Council <br />and JDA members were taken to new buildings and not buildings that have been around for 10+ <br />years. He stated he was impressed by the heating and cooling systems that were within the <br />buildings. <br />