11-06-23 JDA - Laserfiche WebLink

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affordability does not mean cheap or poor quality, but rather comes from the work that would be done with other funding sources. She stated she enjoyed speaking with people at the event and hearing their comments, both positive and negative. She indicated she felt really good about where this project was at this time. She supported the JDA hosting additional open houses in the future. She suggested in the future that surveys be available online in order to allow residents to fill out the survey at a later time. Commissioner Fabel stated the presentations made by Mr. Lux and staff were effective and useful. He explained this project would not happen next year, but rather would take 10+ years to complete. He commented on how the housing market would change in that time. He indicated he heard repeatedly at the event that there was a need for affordable senior housing. He stated one of the harder questions he received was if taxes would increase for Arden Hills residents in order to complete this development. He noted he was troubled by the residents who spoke to him on how affordable housing would bring riff-raff into the community. He indicated these comments were troublesome. Commissioner Frethem reported she appreciated the level of engagement from the community. She explained she supported the JDA holding additional open house events in the future. She suggested future events have a more formal presentation for those members of the public that were seeking general information. She commented on the potential timeline for this project based on the proposed density. She reported the proposed density was not chiseled in stone, but rather was required in order to complete the traffic study and fiscal analysis. She suggested the JDA presentations be summarized and be placed on the website. She recommended that at future meetings the JDA directly address traffic concerns, affordability, and other issues that have been voiced by the public. She suggested multiple methods of feedback be considered for future open houses. Commissioner Reinhardt commented on how expanding the tax base through this development will benefit all residents in Ramsey County. Commissioner Monson stated it was clear the JDA needs a more clear definition around affordability and costs. She understood the JDA has been discussing housing diversity, but she had questions on how the JDA would determine how many housing units would be 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, etc. of AMI. She believed the JDA needed a stronger clean energy presence. She stated people were very interested on what this looks like for the entire development. She agreed a formal presentation should be given by the developer at all future open houses as well as at the December Planning Commission meeting. She feared the messaging surrounding the JDA needed clarification in that the JDA was not the developer. She would have preferred for more information regarding the amount of greenspace within the development to have been discussed with the public. She proposed future open houses be held in a gym. She noted she was open to future open houses, so long as a formal presentation is given by the developer. She appreciated the number of people that attended the open house, as well as the questions that were asked by the public.