12 Dec 2021 Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents December 2021 City Council Statement on TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Project With the litigation brought by Ramsey County against the City concluded favorably to the City, the Council remains committed to supporting the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons redevelopment project to achieve the same goals it established in January of 2016: The City seeks to have the development provide a true mixed-use village of office, manufacturing, retail space and housing for the area that provides new tax revenues, a diverse blend of land uses, high wage jobs, and the efficient delivery of public and private services that will enhance but remain complementary to existing development within the City. In regard to affordability, the City recognizes the need for affordable and life cycle housing with a particular focus on young professionals, move-up housing, and senior citizens. It is important to note that the City itself does NOT regulate affordable housing, in-fact the City is not standing in the way of increased affordability on the site, but it cannot divert funds from every-day operations, like police and fire protection or road maintenance to pay for additional affordable housing. The County and/or Master Developer may seek outside funding sources to make TCAAP more affordable. This would be above and beyond the affordability measures already built in to TCAAP as part of the City’s goals established back in 2016. For density, the City’s current land use and comprehensive plan contemplate a maximum of 1,460 residential units at an overall average density of no greater than 9.46 units per acre. That density is roughly three times greater than the current city average density, and unlike other developments identified that have a broader grid network of streets for access and readily available public transportation, Rice Creek Commons is dependent on a single spine road with two primary ingress and egress points north and south for its transportation needs and is planned for a higher concentration of office, manufacturing, commercial and retail uses than those other developments. The planned level of density aims to keep TCAAP a viable, long-term investment for the region, while not overbuilding to the point of creating more problems for the local infrastructure, such as, extreme traffic congestion. Times have changed, and the needs and constraints of the existing and future residents of the City will also change as the project progresses, which is why the City is committed to continue its discussions with the Master Developer and the County through the established Joint Development Authority to review the changing dynamics. But that cannot happen unless and until the County recommits to the previously agreed to process. In the absence of an open and transparent process, the public will be left to wonder. City Offices will be closed on December 24th and December 31st. The City Council and Staff wish you a very happy and safe holiday season! Councilmember Dave McClung, Councilmember Dave McClung, a dedicated and long-standing a dedicated and long-standing member of the City Council, member of the City Council, passed away earlier this month. passed away earlier this month. The January/February Newsletter The January/February Newsletter will include a longer piece will include a longer piece recognizing him and his service to recognizing him and his service to the City. The City will be taking the City. The City will be taking applications until December applications until December 29th at City Hall for the vacant 29th at City Hall for the vacant City Council spot which will City Council spot which will run through the end of 2022. run through the end of 2022. Interviews will be held the first Interviews will be held the first week of January. Visit City Hall week of January. Visit City Hall or our website for additional or our website for additional information.information. Holiday Hours