02-09-26-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JANUARY 12, 2026 9 sources. The school district is low on the list of variables they consider. She asked about eliminating parking as one of these tools. Are we just talking about multi -family? Community Development Director Reilly said it would be eliminating the requirement for there to be parking spaces. It doesn't eliminate parking all together. It allows the developer to determine how many parking spaces any property would have on it. It could include a single-family home but does not have to. Councilmember Monson is hearing that our improvement will come through redevelopment. We aren't necessarily looking at individual lots that are not yet developed. We have an opportunity to make a difference any time there is a redevelopment. Staff confirmed. Mayor Grant said in terms of density, if we add a few more units, you have to still spread that over the land value. It seems like that may be hard to do, even with adding units. Community Development Director Reilly said adding density is one way to address the cost side of the equation.. In Arden Hills, we are talking about redevelopment when it comes to adding more housing. That can be splitting existing large lots, pocket neighborhoods or cottage style homes. It is trying to get more places for people to live on each piece of land, in order for the developer to be able to maintain and have a project that cash flows. There is a point at which construction of a building flattens out. When it comes to multi -family, the more units you can build the more your project cash flows. More renters equals more revenue. Mayor Grant said Director Reilly stated 20 units per acre is difficult to get something to pencil out, in existing Arden Hills. Does 30 units per acre make it a little better or a lot better? Community Development Director Reilly said 25-30 units per acre becomes a lot better. It becomes feasible to build a project without subsidy. Mayor Grant said that is the tipping point where the proforma becomes positive. Staff confirmed. Councilmember Weber said affordability has to be a goal. In terms of proformas, it has to be financially feasible for a developer. We have these competing goals. The solution is a financial statement showing us how it doesn't work. The city wants the benefit of additional affordable housing units. Looking back at the last development we saw the developer claimed it didn't pencil out, but that wasn't proven. It can be a balancing act and negotiation. Councilmember Holden asked if we would have to hire someone to prove the developers numbers are right. She can't know if those numbers are correct. A growing concern across the metropolitan area is people who find affordable housing or qualify for homeowners assistance programs aren't able to maintain their homes. How do we deal with that, under this same umbrella? Community Development Director Reilly said he has the knowledge to make sure the proformas are right. We should require developers to provide their proformas. A lot of agencies require them. He said the existing housing and homeownership conversation is important to identify how we can