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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 8, 2026 6 <br /> <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly provided further insight on the proposed <br />inclusionary housing policy noting Edina has one of the most successful ordinances in the State. <br /> <br />Commissioner Birken asked why the Council wanted to strike the lowest affordable housing <br />level. <br /> <br />Commissioner Erler stated it was his understanding the Council wanted a middle-of-the-road <br />policy. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lindau indicated the Council also did not want to price themselves out of the <br />market. He questioned if the Council was aware of the fact Shoreview was allowing for lower <br />AMI housing and these units were not being priced out. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jacobson questioned if developers would not embrace the City’s proposed chart. <br /> <br />Commissioner Birken commented Bloomington was not having any issues, and they were at <br />9% across all categories. She understood that Bloomington was a larger community that had a <br />land trust fund and LAHA dollars available. She asked what options were available to Arden <br />Hills, given the size of this community was so much smaller. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bjorklund stated he understood the City could use the EDA to create TIF <br />districts, invest earnings from affordable housing trust funds, sell real property, accept cash <br />donations for affordable housing, and coordinate with the Met Council when it comes to LAHA <br />funding. It was his hope the City’s EDA would be more functional going forward. <br /> <br />Chair Collins supported the City adopting this inclusionary housing policy in order for the City <br />to be more intentional when it comes to affordable housing. He wanted to see Arden Hills <br />becoming more hospitable when it comes to new development. He questioned if the City had a <br />challenge with its leadership culture or language within City Code. <br /> <br />Commissioner Birken explained she was hoping Arden Hills would be open for business and <br />development. She suggested higher density be considered along the Lexington Avenue corridor <br />and that the City reconsider the approval process. She indicated she could support modifying the <br />City’s parking requirements as well. She wanted to see the City having an increased housing <br />supply because this would benefit the entire community. <br /> <br />Commissioner Burlingame indicated he spoke with a number of realtors in the area. He <br />understood the community was facing a housing crisis. He recognized that the proposed <br />inclusionary housing policy would only apply to larger housing projects. He supported the City <br />looking at what other tools were available to spur affordable housing. He encouraged the City <br />Council to take action in order to have more housing brought into the community rather than <br />unintentionally limiting development. <br /> <br />Chair Collins commented on how the thought that more inventory would lead to lower housing <br />prices was no longer the case because demand far outweighs what the market can provide. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jacobson stated the perception is that Arden Hills cannot develop, given what <br />has occurred on TCAAP over the past two decades. She understood there was a great need for <br />more housing and agreed this was a very complicated topic. She suggested the affordability