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Joint Development Authority Worksession <br /> Wednesday, September 27, 2023 <br /> Arden Hills City Council Chambers <br /> Minutes <br /> 5:30 pm <br /> Roll Call <br /> Joint Development Authority present: Chair Jon Wicklund, Commissioner Nicole Frethem, <br /> Commissioner Tom Fabel, Commissioner Tena Monson <br /> Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt was absent. <br /> Also present: Dave Perrault (Arden Hills); Jessica Jagoe (Arden Hills); Kari Collins (Ramsey <br /> County) <br /> Roll call taken. <br /> Public Input <br /> Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, stated it was apparent that the JDA has deemed Bob Lux <br /> as the TCAAP developer. She noted the previous City Council went through the required due <br /> diligence of identify, reviewing and accepting Bob Lux as the developer. She believed the <br /> current JDA has been saved a tremendous amount of time and effort. She discussed how this <br /> JDA group was traveling on the back of the previous JDA, who did all of the work. She reported <br /> this JDA has not done any due diligence in locating or reviewing any other developer other than <br /> Bob Lux. She stated this JDA group has not saved the Council, nor the Arden Hills residents any <br /> time. She wanted to make the public aware of the fact that this JDA has not done any of the <br /> due diligence work. <br /> Steve Erler, 1704 Chatham Avenue, thanked City staff, County staff and the JDA for all of their <br /> efforts to put this meeting together. He commented on how there was a shortage of housing in <br /> the entire metro area and that this has been well documented. He stated there was a <br /> tremendous need for affordable housing options and noted Rice Creek Commons provides a <br /> unique opportunity to add significantly to the housing stock in northern Ramsey County. He <br /> discussed how housing affordability was tied to housing density. He urged the JDA to take on <br /> the financial and political challenges that would come with higher density and to include as <br /> much affordable and middle income units as possible. <br /> Lynn Diaz, 1123 Ingerson Road, stated she was in favor of the JDA including as much affordable <br /> housing, that was owner occupied, as possible within this development. She commented on <br /> how ADU's were becoming increasingly popular. She suggested smaller setbacks and side yards <br /> be considered. She hoped the JDA would be considering some sort of community meeting <br /> 4 <br />