12-0402023 JDA Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

mandate from an authoritative government that pretends it knows what is livable and wanted for the long term. She reported housing is important, but should not be gained in a manner that denies the voices of Arden Hills residents. She believed the process being followed by the JDA was lacking civic virtue which was immoral. She explained Jon Wicklund serves on the Planning Commission and serves on the JDA, but the Mayor and Councilmember Brenda Holmes were denied access to the JDA, which was a group they formed. She feared this was unethical. She urged those serving on the JDA to be wise, honest and fair. She anticipated the public would continue to not be able to trust the actions of the JDA so long as secret meetings were being held. She commented on how she believed Councilmember Fabel was blocking information regarding TCAAP from getting to the public. She understood the JDA has already made up their mind about the density for TCAAP, suggesting this project would be more dense per square mile than any other project in Ramsey County or Hennepin County. She reported this property only had two entrance/exit points. She feared how traffic from this development would adversely impact Highway 96. She hoped that the JDA members could find its ethical compass and would restore civic virtue in order to create a project that compliments the community rather than blights Arden Hills. Community Open House Debrief John Slack, Perkins & Will, explained his firm was hired to assist with defining a strategy for the open house, which was held last Wednesday. He provided the JDA with a summary of the event noting there were seven information stations. He estimated 165+ people attended and 56 surveys were completed. He reviewed the results from the surveys that were completed, noting there was support for parks and open space, sustainability, the development plan and densities as well as the housing types. He noted there were also negative responses for development plan and densities, the proposed housing types and concerns regarding traffic/congestion. He provided further comment on the themes received from the survey stating there should be a diversity of housing types and sizes,job opportunities and new businesses. He then reviewed several of the positive and negative comments that were received at the event. The media coverage that was provided for this event was further discussed. Commissioner Fabel asked if Mr. Slack had links for the media coverage. Director Collins explained she could provide these links to the JDA members. Commissioner Monson questioned why only 56 surveys were completed. Mr. Slack stated this could be because there may not have been enough space to sit down and complete the survey. He believed those tending to the check in table did a great job handing out the surveys at the door. Commissioner Reinhardt stated she was thrilled to see the number of people that attended the open house. She explained she stayed until the last 15 minutes of the event and that was when she was finally able to view the seven stations. She thanked staff and Mr. Slack for all of their efforts. She recommended more signage be posted at future events. She believed one of the highlights of the event was when Bob Lux spoke about density. She commented on how 27