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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 4, 2024 10 <br /> <br /> <br />Chair Weber stated it would be useful to know if other cities have recently made changes or <br />updates to their park or residential dedication fees. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund stated he was in favor of pushing this project forward. He indicated <br />he was comfortable with the increased density, FAR and building height. He explained the value <br />of the entire parcel was $22 million and the developer was proposing to purchase 10 of the 40 <br />acres. He stated this would lead to a land dedication payment (at 15%) of $825,000. He <br />suggested the Commission deal with the affordable housing piece as a separate motion or <br />condition for approval. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Jagoe commented on the City’s public use dedication and park <br />development fees. She indicated the City could waive public use dedication fees and <br />recommended the Commission discuss this matter further, but noted subsidizing the development <br />for affordable housing would have to meet a “but for” test. She explained the developer should <br />assess whether or not a fee waiver was necessary. <br /> <br />Chair Weber stated if the Commission were to ask for affordable housing, could the <br />Commission offer an amendment to waive fees or recommend the City negotiate as necessary in <br />order to achieve affordable housing units. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Jagoe reported if the Commission wants this brought forward, she <br />recommended the developer communicate if this was something they would be seeking from the <br />City. She explained the affordable housing request was a new add that staff had not prepared for. <br /> <br />Chair Weber stated a lot of information would have to be gathered that may put this project in a <br />table situation. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Jagoe indicated this may be the case. She stated the Commission <br />could make a recommendation on public use dedication but noted other reduction of fees or <br />waivers should wait until the developer brings forward a request to ensure all criteria within the <br />City’s public financing guidelines for affordable housing requirements were being met. <br /> <br />Chair Weber stated the Commission could make a recommendation with respect to park <br />dedication and land dedication and the City Council could take it from there. He explained if <br />there was no agreement on affordable housing, this project may not happen in its current form. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bjorklund indicated he did not have any objections to the project, except he <br />would like to recommend Condition 25 and that it read: The project will include an affordable <br />housing component, with or without subsidies. <br /> <br />Commissioner Erler stated in the past four years the City has added two multi-unit age <br />restricted buildings or 211 market rate units. He indicated this development would raise this <br />number to 330. He explained this was a 10% increase in the total number of residential units in <br />the City. He commented his extra housing was a good thing in the tight housing market. <br />However, he did regret that not one of these units would be available to low income seniors. He <br />stated by comparison, both New Brighton and Roseville have added entire buildings of income <br />adjusted rental units for seniors. His opinion that Arden Hills was part of the problem as the City <br />has not made affordable housing a priority. He commented he could support the minor