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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — FEBRUARY 9, 2026 4 Councilmember Holden said this is an active community, maybe people will bike. The only way to Boston Scientific or Land O'Lakes is to travel on the Shoreview side. If they are going to put a sidewalk there, she wants them to figure out how people will get to the other side. Mayor Grant said he isn't sure how far the sidewalk goes down Lexington, but he would like to see this development extend it all the way down to Harriet on the Arden Hills side and across Harriet down to the end of the property. That would make that triangle walkable. If someone lives in this building and wanted to walk to work at Land O'Lakes or Boston Scientific, they aren't going to want to cross Lexington twice. He said even an east west section on Harriet would be a nice amenity and complete the project. Mr. Asta said they are showing a sidewalk around the entire property that connects to the retail area. He shared an example of two projects they are working on in Plymouth that depicts how they hope to connect the apartments to a pond with trails and a lot of green space. Councilmember Monson said this proposal is for 167. She asked how many units the example properties have. Mr. Asta said one is a 207-unit building that is currently being built and the other concept hasn't started construction but is slightly larger. He noted one of the examples is five stories, so if Council can imagine that example with one less floor, it's similar to what they're proposing for this project. Councilmember Holden said she sees some stone on the corner walls. She asked how much EFIS is in this project. Mr. Asta said he would look into the City's design requirements to make sure they are meeting those requirements. They try to break up the facade with glazing and different color variations so it's not one long linear line. Councilmember Holden asked if he is aware of the Crepeau Nature Preserve in this neighborhood. Mr. Asta is not familiar. Councilmember Holden said it's a nature preserve and it's quiet. She said it's not that much further for a sidewalk. If they are looking to give additional amenities, that may be an option. Councilmember Weber said that the nature preserve is Bethel's property. It's not a city -owned trail. He believes it's a cooperative agreement. It's a privately owned trail. He asked why affordability wasn't approached on this project. The documents outline 80-100% market -rate. He assumes that is 100%. Mr. Asta confirmed but said 100% isn't the max. In some areas, 120% is market. He wanted to share his thoughts on economics and some different ways they have approached projects. Arden Hills is a desirable area and land is not cheap. The same can be said about construction pricing. The same can be said about interest rates in the capital markets. It is challenging to find projects that pencil out and work while still providing an economic return to those putting money into them. They have gotten around that with market rents, which is being proposed here, or some