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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — JANUARY 8, 2024 3 Councilmember Fabel stated the traffic study that was completed by the County Engineer was a revision on the previous studies that had been done, taking into consideration the recommendations the Council would be considering this evening, which would rezone the commercial/office space on the southern corner into residential. He indicated the conclusion from the traffic study was that the proposed zoning change would reduce the total number of trips that occur in the area by 3% meaning there will be less traffic on Highway 96. Councilmember Holden asked if a consultant completed the traffic study. She stated it was her understanding the County had intersections that currently had a rating of D and F. City Administrator Perrault explained this was mostly correct noting the County Engineer presented the information from the traffic study. He reported the traffic study was completed by an outside consultant. He noted the F intersection grades were not for the intersections overall score, but rather would be for a specific movement or turn within the intersection. Councilmember Holden questioned how long the County has had the data from the traffic study. City Administrator Perrault explained he was uncertain. He reported it was his understanding all data had been collected but the traffic study was still not finalized. Mayor Grant indicated the traffic study was proposing to change half of the spine road from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction. City Administrator Perrault stated this was being contemplated based on the initial findings within the traffic study. Mayor Grant questioned if the same amount of right-of-way would be maintained, should the spine road need expansion in the future. City Administrator Perrault reported the footprint should remain the same for the spine road. 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Donna Wiemann, 1406 Arden View Drive, encouraged all Arden Hills residents to watch the January 3 Planning Commission meeting. She urged all residents to listen to the resignation speech made by the Planning Commission Chair. She noted he was a long-standing, smart volunteer. She explained Chair Vijums relished his time on the Planning Commission and worked to help Arden Hills make the best decisions possible for the community. She indicated Chair Vijums pointed out the Commission's job was to evaluate each proposal, ask well -constructed questions and balance the needs of the applicant with what is best for the community. She stated Arden Hills was losing a dedicated volunteer that speaks for the Arden Hills community and not only the applicant. She encouraged the community to watch the meeting to see what caused the resignation of Chair Vijums because this affects all of us. George Winiecke, 4175 Old Highway 10, explained he has been before the Council several times. He wished the Council would go back to the original plan and not move forward with the new plan. He stated he did not trust the traffic count studies.