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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — OCTOBER 13, 2025 8 Councilmember Holden asked for confirmation that they are all detached. Ms. Trapp confirmed. The idea is that they're smaller in size. Councilmember Holden said she thinks you can achieve the same thing with townhouses. This is a concern for her because neighborhoods are our strong point. If we start making little sub -sets we don't have that. Community Development Director Reilly wanted to share an example from Chaska. They have had great success. This housing type provides a space that is family -friendly, and it gives them more space than they would have if they had an apartment or a townhome. There's more room to play. Part of his presentation discusses the school district's need for kindergarteners and the need for family housing. Councilmember Holden said these are 900 square feet. It's difficult to have a family in a home that size. Ms. Trapp said this is an option. It won't take off at every opportunity. There may be specific places in the community where it's appropriate. This discussion is to determine if it could be a potential fit to consider, with some standards. Councilmember Rousseau said she was in Duluth and saw 900 square foot houses, as well. It gave more opportunities for these buildings and then there is the courtyard space, as well as shared amenities. She wants to see this remain in the zoning code for Arden Hills. Councilmember Monson said she was looking for a new proposed zoning map. It's hard for her to determine if it's good for one neighborhood but maybe it's not appropriate for another neighborhood. She found the current one, and that should be sufficient. City Administrator Jagoe said the consultants aren't recommending any rezoning, at this time. No R-1 areas are recommended to change to R-2. Discussion ensued regarding the land use map vs. the zoning map. The cottage courtyard concept is only being recommended in R-2 and R-3. Future presentations will include an existing and proposed zoning map. Councilmember Holden said if this is such a great thing, why is it not allowed in R-1? Ms. Trapp said it could be. The density can be higher because they have more units. They do have a different aesthetic. She has seen some communities restrict it to only corners. That makes access to the driveway behind make more sense. Parking can be a challenge in cottage courtyards. Mayor Grant said R-1 has a different look and a different feel. He agrees cottage courtyard should not be a type in R-1. He would like to see R-2 limit it to the corner. He probably doesn't care about R-3 as much. Councilmember Holden doesn't understand how R-1 has a different feel than an R-2. There are neighborhoods in R-2 that have the same feel as R-1. She would be upset if one of these were built in her back yard. She'd be looking at a parking lot.