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JDA to support the 1,960 units on Rice Creek Commons, noting the entire region would benefit <br />from this development. <br /> <br />Lyle Salmela, 1480 Arden Vista Court, explained he supported the 1,960 residential density on <br />Rice Creek Commons. He appreciated the fact the development would have affordable housing <br />as well as architect designed homes. He noted he sent an email to each of the JDA members <br />and urged them to read it. He stated he supported the entire project being electric and net <br />zero. In addition, he supported the JDA hiring an energy consultant. He recommended the JDA <br />speak to what greenhouse gases would be saved by going all electric. He recommended the <br />consultant produce a video on what can be expected for Xcel and the developer. <br /> <br />Lynn Diaz, 1143 Ingerson Road, stated she was happy to see the JDA moving forward and <br />exploring ways to find a development plan that would be acceptable to both the City and the <br />County. She believed it was reasonable to choose something in between the outdated plan and <br />the AUAR maximum. She urged the JDA to find ways to incorporate affordable housing into Rice <br />Creek Commons both for rent and owner occupied. She anticipated younger residents would <br />enjoy walkable amenities. She believed climate change was the community’s greatest threat <br />and she hoped the JDA would do all it could to embrace designs and technology that would <br />limit the damage we are inflicting on the planet. She urged the JDA and developer to consider <br />this thoughtfully in order to be a leader with this development. <br /> <br />Steve Ehler, 1704 Chatham Avenue, commended the JDA for expeditiously restarting the Rice <br />Creek Commons development project. He discussed how the JDA was building on the work of <br />their predecessors while adapting to the needs of the future. He stated a key decision before <br />the JDA was to set a number of housing units. He explained he supported the 1,960 unit. He <br />believed this was well within the capacity of the site and would assist in providing much needed <br />housing for the region. <br /> <br />Gregg Larson, 3377 Snelling Avenue North, urged the JDA to support the staff recommendation, <br />which would be to move forward with the 1,960 units for Rice Creek Commons. He stated the <br />development of Rice Creek Commons was a tremendous opportunity but one that has been <br />squandered for the past six years. He discussed how the 1,960 was the midpoint between 1,500 <br />and 2,500 range that has been proposed for this project. He commented on how the additional <br />500 units would put more affordable housing units on the site. He explained if this proposal was <br />supported by both the City and the County the JDA could further consider the finances for this <br />project all in the aim of reaching a master development agreement with Alatus. <br /> <br />Christy Jacob, 1492 Arden Place, stated she supported the proposed 1,960 units within the Rice <br />Creek Commons development. She believed safe and affordable housing was foundational to a <br />healthy and diverse community. <br /> <br />Steve Scott, 4286 Norma Avenue, read a comment into the record on behalf of Councilmember <br />Brenda Holden. The statement read as follows: Councilmember Holden was appalled by the <br />JDA’s action to perpetuate and allow misinformation. She explained the 1,460 units previously