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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — OCTOBER 13, 2025 10 <br />concerned about. Twinhomes and two -units aren't that intensive compared to a single-family <br />home. <br />Councilmember Holden likes that aspect to make them look different. We are a unique city. She <br />would like to see that be a general standard. <br />Council agreed. <br />Ms. Trapp said townhouses and rowhouses are a residential structure that typically has more than <br />one unit. Technically twinhomes are a form of townhouse. The reason they separate them is <br />because a twinhome is just two units and a townhouse can have up to 16, depending on the city. <br />They usually are attached in clusters or a linear arrangement. They can be located on their own <br />lot, or a common lot, depending on the development. Owner -occupied townhomes are typically <br />on their own lot. Rentals may be on a lot together. Townhomes and rowhouses are sometimes <br />differentiated by the number of units. <br />Councilmember Holden said she is seeing no front organization so you can interact with <br />neighbors. She doesn't see sidewalks. She would not want to have the garage be 90% of the <br />frontage. We want neighborhood interaction. <br />Mayor Grant asked if Council would like to consider the "big house" concept. The "big house" <br />is designed to look like a house, but inside it is four or five units. He thinks it's worth including. <br />Ms. Trapp is hearing that townhouses and rowhouses are okay. The architecture and how they <br />are presented is what matters. She is hearing Council say they want architectural guidance. <br />City Administrator Jagoe said an earlier question was if Council would be interested in doing <br />townhouses with a small-scale and large-scale. So there would be a use depending on the number <br />of units. Maybe it's R-1 or R-2 but they are small units, typically capped at four. Then there could <br />be standards for large-scale in the higher zoning districts. They can come up with design <br />standards that would make it more compatible with the neighborhoods. <br />Councilmember Holden asked how tall the rowhouses are. If this goes in the middle of a <br />neighborhood, it will change the character of the neighborhood. We need to look at those. She <br />wouldn't want that in her neighborhood. <br />Councilmember Weber thinks we've already been through all of this. Ms. Trapp is asking for <br />clarification on the standards. We already had the discussion where we voted on what we wanted <br />to see in each district. It seems we are relitigating it rather than providing standards. <br />Councilmember Holden said we didn't know what a lot of these things were and that's why they <br />are bringing it back. <br />Councilmember Weber said the only thing Council was questioning at that time was cottage <br />courtyard. <br />Ms. Trapp appreciates the extra conversation. It helps her narrow things down. Her question on <br />multi -unit had to do with triplexes or fourplexes. She asked if Council is wanting an aesthetic <br />