05-12-25-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 12, 2025 9 Mayor Grant supported the development agreement speaking to the $200,000 from the developer being used for the trail. He reported the City Attorney would be drafting a development agreement that reflects the comments being made by the City Council at this meeting. Councilmember Rousseau indicated she would like to change the $200,000 payment from the developer to $250,000. She commented she would like to see this amount increased slightly because staff would now be completing the work. Councilmember Weber stated he would support this recommendation. Councilmember Monson questioned if there was any way to have the trail installed in 2026. Councilmember Weber commented he supported the trail being constructed in 2026 as well. Councilmember Holden indicated she believed the additional $50,000 should not be required from the developer. She discussed how it would cost the City more if the trail were installed by Trident because the plans would have to be double-checked. Mayor Grant explained he believed $200,000 was a reasonable number for the trail contribution. He discussed how this trail property was currently owned by the church and once the trail was completed, would be available to the public. He reported he did not want this project held up by requiring an additional $50,000 from the developer. He supported moving this project forward and he appreciated the fact the developer was coming forward with $200,000 out of the $343,000 expense. Councilmember Holden expressed concern with the fact that developers may find it difficult to develop in Arden Hills. She noted the Planning Commission had previously raised concerns about the building being too high or that there was too much tree loss. Councilmember Weber reported these concerns were raised by residents in the community and explained these residents felt they had been ignored by the developer. Councilmember Monson stated she was concerned about the Council setting a precedent and she questioned how many units $50,000 was worth. She recalled that the City approved the additional density of 17 units within this development and expected a trail in return. She indicated she could support this item moving forward with the developer paying somewhere between $200,000 and $250,000. Councilmember Rousseau commented she would be willing to support requiring a payment of $225,000 from the developer. Councilmember Weber stated he could support this recommendation. Mayor Grant supported the City keeping the payment from the developer at $200,000.