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Joint Development Authority Worksession <br />Wednesday, September 27, 2023 <br />Arden Hills City Council Chambers <br />Minutes <br />5:30 pm <br /> <br />Roll Call <br /> <br />Joint Development Authority present: Chair Jon Wicklund, Commissioner Nicole Frethem, <br />Commissioner Tom Fabel, Commissioner Tena Monson <br /> <br />Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt was absent. <br /> <br />Also present: Dave Perrault (Arden Hills); Jessica Jagoe (Arden Hills); Kari Collins (Ramsey <br />County) <br /> <br />Roll call taken. <br /> <br />Public Input <br /> <br />Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, stated it was apparent that the JDA has deemed Bob Lux <br />as the TCAAP developer. She noted the previous City Council went through the required due <br />diligence of identify, reviewing and accepting Bob Lux as the developer. She believed the <br />current JDA has been saved a tremendous amount of time and effort. She discussed how this <br />JDA group was traveling on the back of the previous JDA, who did all of the work. She reported <br />this JDA has not done any due diligence in locating or reviewing any other developer other than <br />Bob Lux. She stated this JDA group has not saved the Council, nor the Arden Hills residents any <br />time. She wanted to make the public aware of the fact that this JDA has not done any of the <br />due diligence work. <br /> <br />Steve Erler, 1704 Chatham Avenue, thanked City staff, County staff and the JDA for all of their <br />efforts to put this meeting together. He commented on how there was a shortage of housing in <br />the entire metro area and that this has been well documented. He stated there was a <br />tremendous need for affordable housing options and noted Rice Creek Commons provides a <br />unique opportunity to add significantly to the housing stock in northern Ramsey County. He <br />discussed how housing affordability was tied to housing density. He urged the JDA to take on <br />the financial and political challenges that would come with higher density and to include as <br />much affordable and middle income units as possible. <br /> <br />Lynn Diaz, 1123 Ingerson Road, stated she was in favor of the JDA including as much affordable <br />housing, that was owner occupied, as possible within this development. She commented on <br />how ADU’s were becoming increasingly popular. She suggested smaller setbacks and side yards <br />be considered. She hoped the JDA would be considering some sort of community meeting