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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY 12, 2024 5 B. Sale of City -Owned Parcel at 1450 Highway 96 Community Development Director Jagoe said Matt Alexander from North Shore Development Partners had contacted her at the end of last year regarding development opportunities within the City, and asked about the City owned property on Highway 96. The site has been identified in the past as a potential location for a Public Works building, but beyond that there hasn't been recent discussions regarding the site. Councilmember Holden thought they should discuss whether or not they are interested in selling the property. Her concern is that they need another Public Works building. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said they don't have space at the Ramsey County facility and they are actually using the site to stockpile wood chips now. They're also using it for overflow parking of equipment. The two potential sites they have looked at are this site and on the current City Hall property. Leading up to TCAAP, they will need more equipment, staff and space. They currently store some of their equipment in the water towers, so twice a year they transfer equipment from there to the shop. Mayor Grant added that originally when they went into the County facility they had earmarked an area for expansion because they knew TCAAP was coming. After a few years, the County added the Sheriff's Department in the same place they thought they would do an expansion. He wasn't aware of another addition that could be done to the building. Councilmember Monson said she has concerns about Highway 96; the driveways and neighborhood entrances/streets that intersect with it. Councilmember Holden thought one of the reasons they changed it to Neighborhood Business was because it was on Highway 96, the childcare next to it and the townhouses on the other side. Mr. Alexander said North Shore Development Partners recently completed a project in New Brighton that was well received. The also recently did a project in Long Lake of stacked flats that are a combination of a townhome and a garden apartment. He explained that they build pocket neighborhood boutique rental communities. His proposal for this site is a well finished rental townhome. He felt the market could support it and the location is great for rentals. Mayor Grant noted the entrance from Hamline would need to line up with the street across from it. He felt Council needed to discuss whether or not they wanted to sell the property at this time. Councilmember Holden said they've never been able to get a road onto Hamline approved by the County on the other proposals they've received. Councilmember Fabel asked how much the units would rent for. Mr. Alexander said they would rent for $2,000 - $3,200 a month. Councilmember Rousseau asked for his thoughts about noise from Highway 96. Mr. Alexander said they have arranged the buildings so only one end unit would get the brunt of the noise.