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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 10, 2025 6 9. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS A. Motion to Approve Extension for Recording of Final Plat – 1700 Highway 96 W – Trident Development Councilmember Weber stated he pulled this item to acknowledge what this item means. He indicated he voted against this project in January because he believed affordability should have been a component of this project. He stated the argument at that time was that the City could not afford to delay the project. He reported now the Council was now being asked for an extension, which meant there was time to discuss affordability. He explained the developer was never going to seriously consider affordable units. He indicated the Council was being asked to consider an extension for the Final Plat without any consideration of revisiting affordable units. He stated this land would not sit empty forever as the church would continue to find a partner that was interested in developing this land. He explained the City was under not obligation to approve the extension and he thought voting against this request would send a clear message that Arden Hills does not reward developers that ignore the communities needs. Mayor Grant stated he disagreed with Councilmember Weber, noting the developer brought forward an affordable component that was costly. He indicated affordable housing was not free, but rather there was a financial aspect that the City was asked to participate in and the City chose not to. He explained he supported approving the extension. Councilmember Monson reported she believed the offer from the developer was a joke and she made that clear in January. She was of the opinion the offer was so unattractive that the City had no option but to say no to the affordable units. She commented it was also clear that because the City doesn’t have any affordable housing requirements, the City puts itself at risk trying to deny a project that does not have an affordability component. She recommended the City Council pursue an affordable housing policy and that this be put into ordinance in order to support affordable housing going forward. She asked that staff speak to why this request has come to the City. City Administrator Jagoe reported this request came about because staff was working on the logistical language within the development agreement, but it was not yet finalized. She anticipated this agreement would be finalized by April. She explained staff was working to have the recording of the final plat and the development agreement happen at the same time. Mayor Grant asked if the City Attorney was working on the development agreement and questioned if it was close to completion. City Attorney Bjerkness reported the document was close to completion, noting both parties have exchanged redlines, but the document was not ready in time for the City packet. Mayor Grant stated the developer was working in earnest to complete the development agreement. Councilmember Weber commented he would like to see this item going back to a work session in order to allow the City Council to have a serious discussion regarding affordability.