Arden Hills meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Arden Hills Council to Vote on Finance Director; Recent Meetings Cover Zoning, Parking, and CIP

The Arden Hills City Council is set to vote today on hiring a new finance director, a position budgeted at $187,746 for salary and benefits. The special meeting comes after a week of discussion-only sessions on zoning, parking, and the city's capital improvement plan.

Finance Director Appointment

The council will consider hiring Nicholas Solberg as Finance Director at Grade 21 Step 1, with 24 hours of starting paid time off. The annual salary is $162,870, and the position is budgeted at $187,746 including benefits. The employment offer is contingent on a satisfactory background check. The appointment is on the consent calendar, meaning it will be approved in one motion unless a councilmember requests separate discussion.

Planning Commission Reviews Zoning Amendments

On August 5, the Planning Commission reviewed three proposed ordinance amendments, all presented as planning cases for consideration. These included amendments to Zoning Code Section 1325 regarding accessory dwelling units (Case 26-011), amendments to Chapter 11 on subdivisions (Case 26-021), and amendments to Chapter 12 on signs (Case 26-022). No votes were taken; the items were for discussion only. Minutes have not yet been published.

City Council Work Session Covers Multiple Topics

The council held a work session on August 10 to discuss several items, including Mounds View High School parking, the Recycling SCORE update, the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a code of conduct, immigration enforcement, and Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP. Public comments were limited to three minutes per person. The session was for discussion only, with no formal votes.

Regular Meeting Agenda Includes TCAAP Update and Consent Items

Also on August 10, the council held its regular meeting. The agenda included an update on TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons development by City Administrator Jessica Jagoe, a public hearing on a variance request from Maplewood Development regarding demolition of above-ground structures, and several consent items. These included motions to approve claims and payroll, the annual data practices policy, acceptance of 75th Anniversary event sponsorships and fund allocation, and Pay Request No. 4 for Bituminous Roadways – 2026 PMP Street & Utility Improvement. The council also considered Resolution 2026-038 consenting to the Maplewood Development variance request. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

• **Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee** – August 18, 2026: The committee will review the 2027 work plan and the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, discuss a partnership with Great River Greening, approve April 21 meeting minutes, and hear a council liaison report. No votes are scheduled; the meeting is for discussion and review.

Arden Hills council weighs zoning, CIP, and lake quality; no decisions yet

Arden Hills city boards and commissions met over the past two weeks, but minutes have not been published, so no official decisions are confirmed. The most consequential items on the agendas include zoning changes for affordable housing and redevelopment, a $79,000 lake improvement assessment, and long-term infrastructure planning.

City Council: zoning and land use

The City Council's July 27 agenda included a public hearing on a conditional use permit for 6,098 square feet of new pavement at 1300 Grey Fox Road. The council also considered zoning amendments to clarify affordable housing requirements for Rice Creek Commons and to adjust clear height and loading dock rules in the TCAAP Redevelopment Code. Two agreements were on the table: a professional services contract with SRF Consulting Group for Snelling Avenue and Royal Hills Trail, and a cooperative agreement with Ramsey County for Rice Creek Boulevard.

City Council work session: CIP and policy discussions

Also on July 27, the council held a work session to discuss the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), a code of conduct, immigration enforcement, and Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP. The agenda also listed Great River Greening. No votes were taken at the work session.

Economic Development Authority

The EDA met July 27 to consider oaths of office for two new commissioners, Ted Brausen and Kyle Sorenson. The agenda included an orientation by Jake Reilly on the authority's powers under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 469.

Karth Lake Improvement District

The Karth Lake board received 2025 water quality results showing the worst nutrient and clarity readings since 2011. Possible causes discussed included climate change, goose feeding, and reduced weed removal. The board also reviewed a $79,000 pump system upgrade, to be assessed to lake residents over three years via property taxes. Other items included a purple loosestrife removal permit valid until September 1, a 7-inch lake level drawdown before a three-week pump outage, and an ice cream social to educate residents about lake health.

Economic Development Commission

The EDC met July 29 to discuss the 75th Anniversary Celebration and Gateway Signs. The agenda included a report from the City Council on the Financial Planning Action Commission. No major decisions were expected.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission met August 5 to review three ordinance amendments: accessory dwelling units (Zoning Code Section 1325), subdivisions (Chapter 11), and signs (Chapter 12). These were presented as planning cases for consideration.

Coming up

Two City Council meetings are scheduled for August 10. A work session will discuss Mounds View High School parking, the Recycling SCORE update, the 2027-2031 CIP, a code of conduct, immigration enforcement, and Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP. Public comments are limited to three minutes per person. A separate regular meeting will include a TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons update from City Administrator Jessica Jagoe, consent items (claims and payroll, annual data practices policy, 75th anniversary event sponsorships, and Pay Request No. 4 for Bituminous Roadways – 2026 PMP Street & Utility Improvement), and a public hearing on a variance request from Maplewood Development regarding demolition of above-ground structures.

Arden Hills Roundup: Karth Lake Pump Costs, CIP Planning, and Zoning Hearings on the Agenda

Arden Hills residents have a full slate of recent and upcoming government activity to track, though most items remain in the discussion or hearing stage. Minutes have not yet been published for the late-July meetings, so the items below reflect what was on the agendas — not final decisions.

Karth Lake Water Quality and Pump System Costs

The Karth Lake Improvement District Board was set to review 2025 water quality monitoring results showing the worst conditions since 2011, with a large increase in nutrients and decreased water clarity. Possible causes listed on the agenda include climate change, goose feeding, and reduced weed removal.

A pump system upgrade costing $79,000 is slated to be assessed to lake residents over three years through property taxes. The agenda also notes the lake level was brought down 7 inches before a three-week pump outage during construction. A permit for purple loosestrife removal is valid until September 1, with work timing still to be discussed. An ice cream social is planned to educate residents about lake health.

City Council: Zoning, Land Use, and Infrastructure

The City Council scheduled public hearings on several zoning and land use items, including a conditional use permit for 6,098 square feet of new pavement at 1300 Grey Fox Road. Also on the agenda: a zoning amendment to clarify affordable housing requirements for Rice Creek Commons, and a zoning amendment to the TCAAP Redevelopment Code for clear height and loading dock requirements.

Infrastructure agreements up for review include a professional services agreement with SRF Consulting Group for Snelling Avenue and Royal Hills Trail, and a cooperative agreement with Ramsey County for Rice Creek Boulevard.

City Council Work Session: 2027–2031 CIP and Policy Discussions

A separate council work session was scheduled to discuss the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program, covering long-term infrastructure planning. Additional agenda items included Great River Greening, a code of conduct, immigration enforcement, and Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP.

Economic Development Authority: New Commissioners Sworn In

The Economic Development Authority agenda included oaths of office for Commissioners Ted Brausen and Kyle Sorenson. An orientation on the EDA's powers, duties, and relationship to the City Council was to be presented by Jake Reilly, covering authority under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 469.

Economic Development Commission: Anniversary and Gateway Signs

The Economic Development Commission agenda was largely procedural, with discussions planned on the city's 75th Anniversary Celebration and Gateway Signs. A report from the City Council on the Financial Planning Action Commission was also scheduled.

Coming Up

Planning Commission — August 5, 2026: The commission will review three planning cases: Case 26-011 (zoning code amendments regarding accessory dwelling units), Case 26-021 (subdivision ordinance amendments to Chapter 11), and Case 26-022 (sign ordinance amendments to Chapter 12). Residents interested in housing, subdivision, or sign regulations may want to attend.

*Note: All late-July meeting summaries are based on agendas only; minutes have not yet been published. Final actions and vote tallies will be available once minutes are posted.*

Arden Hills Boards Tackle TCAAP Litigation, Major Lexington Avenue Development, and Street Maintenance in July Sessions

Arden Hills officials convened a series of meetings in early July covering litigation tied to the TCAAP redevelopment, a major mixed-use proposal on Lexington Avenue, and street maintenance contracts. All meetings listed below are agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes, votes, or decisions can be confirmed from the available record.

Joint Development Authority

The Joint Development Authority scheduled two meetings on July 6, 2026.

The first was a special closed meeting held under attorney-client privilege to discuss Court File No. 62-CV-25-5228, Alatus Arden Hills, LLC v. TCAAP Joint Development Authority. Because the session was closed and minutes are not available, no details on what was discussed or decided can be reported.

The second JDA meeting included a presentation on the Rice Creek Boulevard infrastructure project, covering schedule and community engagement plans. The board was also set to review an updated draft 2027 JDA budget and a road map for development. Procedural items included approval of June 1, 2026 minutes and a public input session.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission met July 8, 2026, with a full agenda of planning cases and ordinance amendments.

The largest item was the Roers Companies LLC project at 3499 Lexington Avenue, a mixed-use development requiring multiple approvals: comprehensive plan and zoning code amendments, a planned unit development (PUD), a conditional use permit, site plan review, and a variance.

The commission was also scheduled to review:

• An ordinance amendment for affordable housing requirements (Section 1320.16)
• A TCAAP redevelopment code amendment for clear height and loading dock requirements (Section 1380)
• EFH Co. site plan review and conditional use permit at 1300 Grey Fox Road
• An ordinance amendment to allow accessory dwelling units (Section 1325)

No minutes have been published, so it is not yet known whether any of these items were recommended for approval or continued.

City Council Work Session

The City Council held a work session July 13, 2026. Work sessions are discussion-only and do not include formal votes.

Topics included a concept review for 3717 Lexington Avenue involving Chase Bank, zoning and subdivision ordinance updates, a broadband franchising discussion, an election sign policy, and a Rice Creek Commons discussion.

City Council Regular Meeting

Also on July 13, 2026, the City Council agenda included several infrastructure and administrative items:

• Resolution 2026-035: 2026 Annual Street Maintenance Project construction contract
• Pay Request No. 3 for Bituminous Roadways — 2026 PMP Street & Utility Improvement
• Special Assessment Hearing and Resolution 2026-035 for Lexington Avenue and Target Road signal system improvements
• Resolution 2026-034: Appointing Council Liaison to Cities For Safe And Stable Communities

The agenda also included staff updates on transportation, elections, and the city's 75th anniversary.

Because minutes are not yet published, vote tallies and dollar amounts for the resolutions and pay requests cannot be confirmed from the available record.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official website for any newly scheduled sessions or special meetings.

Arden Hills Weekly Roundup: Major Lexington Avenue Development Under Review; City Council Set to Act on Street Maintenance

The Arden Hills Planning Commission was scheduled to weigh a major mixed-use development proposal at 3499 Lexington Avenue this past week, while the City Council prepares to take up street maintenance contracts and signal improvements at meetings set for July 13.

Planning Commission: 3499 Lexington Avenue Development

On July 8, the Planning Commission was set to consider the Roers Companies LLC project at 3499 Lexington Avenue, a mixed-use development requiring multiple approvals: comprehensive plan and zoning code amendments, a planned unit development (PUD), a conditional use permit, site plan review, and a variance.

The commission was also scheduled to review an ordinance amendment for affordable housing requirements under Section 1320.16, a TCAAP redevelopment code amendment addressing clear height and loading dock requirements under Section 1380, a site plan review and conditional use permit for EFH Co. at 1300 Grey Fox Road, and an ordinance amendment to allow accessory dwelling units under Section 1325.

Minutes from the July 8 meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes for these items are not yet available.

Joint Development Authority: Budget, Rice Creek Boulevard, and Litigation

The Joint Development Authority (JDA) had two sessions scheduled for July 6.

The first was a special closed meeting to discuss legal matters under attorney-client privilege related to Court File No. 62-CV-25-5228, Alatus Arden Hills, LLC v. TCAAP Joint Development Authority. No details from that closed session are public.

The second scheduled session included a presentation on the Rice Creek Boulevard infrastructure project, covering schedule and community engagement plans. The JDA was also set to review an updated draft 2027 JDA budget and a road map for development. Procedural items included approval of the June 1, 2026 minutes and a public input session.

Minutes from both July 6 JDA sessions have not yet been published.

Coming Up: City Council, July 13

The Arden Hills City Council has two meetings scheduled for today, July 13.

A work session will include a concept review for 3717 Lexington Avenue (Chase Bank), zoning and subdivision ordinance updates, a broadband franchising discussion, an election sign policy review, and a discussion of Rice Creek Commons.

A separate council meeting is scheduled to address several infrastructure items:

• **Resolution 2026-035**: 2026 Annual Street Maintenance Project construction contract
• **Pay Request No. 3** for Bituminous Roadways — 2026 PMP Street & Utility Improvement
• **Special Assessment Hearing and Resolution 2026-035** for Lexington Avenue and Target Road signal system improvements
• **Resolution 2026-034**: Appointing a Council Liaison to Cities For Safe And Stable Communities

Staff updates on transportation, elections, and the city's 75th anniversary are also on the agenda.

All recent meeting items listed above reflect what was scheduled on published agendas. Because minutes have not yet been released, the roundup will update with outcomes as they become available.

Arden Hills Council discusses immigration enforcement, Rice Creek development; major Lexington Avenue project on tap

The Arden Hills City Council held a work session and regular meeting on June 22, addressing a range of policy topics including immigration enforcement, the Rice Creek Commons development, and multiple land-use requests. Minutes from both meetings have not yet been published, so no formal decisions are recorded.

Work session: Policy discussions and Rice Creek Boulevard

During the June 22 work session, the council discussed several policy matters set out in the agenda. Topics included a sign ordinance update for election signs, a code of conduct policy review, and a discussion of immigration enforcement and use of city property, specifically the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities program. The council also reviewed the Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP development and held a Rice Creek Boulevard discussion with Kimley-Horn, the engineering firm.

Regular meeting: Permits, zoning, and a variance

The council’s regular meeting the same evening took up a slate of infrastructure and zoning items. The council considered:

• Ordinance 2026-012, allowing alcohol in Cummings Park
• Permits for Ribfest at the Red Bulls Facility
• Resolution 2026-033, a Clean Water Fund Grant with the Metropolitan Council
• A contract with Stepp Mtg for a Mack Chassis Tanker Truck upfit
• A conditional use permit for 3761 Lexington Avenue North
• A zoning amendment for trail width and lighting standards within the TCAAP plan
• A variance request for 3336 Lake Johanna Boulevard

Because the meeting minutes remain unpublished, the outcomes of these items are not yet known.

Coming up

July 6: Joint Development Authority meetings

The TCAAP Joint Development Authority will hold two meetings on July 6. A special closed session at an unspecified time will discuss legal matters under attorney-client privilege related to an active court case, *Alatus Arden Hills, LLC v. TCAAP Joint Development Authority* (Court File No. 62-CV-25-5228).

Following the closed session, the JDA will hold a regular meeting to receive a Rice Creek Boulevard project update (including schedule and community engagement plans), review an updated draft 2027 JDA budget, and review a road map for development. A public input session is also scheduled.

July 8: Planning Commission to weigh major mixed-use project

The Arden Hills Planning Commission will consider a major mixed-use development proposed by Roers Companies at 3499 Lexington Avenue. The project requires multiple approvals: a comprehensive plan amendment, zoning code amendment, planned unit development (PUD), conditional use permit, site plan review, and a variance. Other items on the commission’s agenda include an affordable housing ordinance amendment (Section 1320.16), a TCAAP redevelopment code amendment for clear height and loading dock requirements (Section 1380), a site plan and conditional use permit for EFH Co. at 1300 Grey Fox Road, and an ordinance amendment to allow accessory dwelling units (Section 1325).