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cityofardenhills.org • Aug/Sept 2025 • 1 <br />The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents Aug/Sept 2025 <br />Rice Creek Commons Update <br />Zoning and Subdivision Code Review <br />Continued on page 2 <br />ARDEN HILLS <br />STATE OF <br />THE CITY <br />In December of 2023, the Joint Development Authority (JDA) and a developer, Alatus, entered into a Preliminary <br />Development Agreement (PDA). The signing of the PDA triggered 19 months of negotiations related to future <br />development of the approximately 370-acre site within Rice Creek Commons referred to as the California Parcel. The <br />PDA had an expiration date of June 30, 2025 and it outlined the parties’ commitment to exclusively negotiate terms <br />for a final Development Agreement. <br />On June 25, 2025, the JDA met to review a request from Alatus to extend the Preliminary Development Agreement <br />for the California Parcel within Rice Creek Commons. After discussion and consideration, no Commissioner made a <br />motion to approve the request for an extension, so the PDA terminated by its own terms on June 30, 2025. <br />As part of future discussions, the JDA will be evaluating next steps and decisions toward the selection of a developer <br />for this parcel. At their August 4 work session, the JDA discussed the different types of roles that an individual <br />developer may have in the buildout of a project such as a land developer, horizontal developer or lead developer. <br />These discussions are ongoing and will inform and guide their plans for the development solicitation process for <br />a developer or developers in the future. Commissioners agreed to start with a solicitation called a Request for <br />Information. This process is a fact-finding exercise that will gauge interest from developers and help the JDA gather <br />information on market conditions and topics such as best practices, industry standards, pricing or technology before <br />issuing a Request for Proposals. Continued on page 2 <br />The City of Arden Hills is in the middle of a process to update its Zoning <br />and Subdivision Codes. As part of this project, the City intends to remove <br />inconsistencies, to improve formatting for ease of use and implementation, <br />to review and modernize standards, and generally to better align the code <br />with the City’s priorities and land use goals found in the 2040 Comprehensive <br />Plan. The City is working with the planning and landscape architecture firm <br />HKGi to carry out the update process. <br />What are the Zoning and Subdivision Codes? <br />The Zoning Code is a set of rules that establishes criteria for how all <br />properties and buildings within the City can be designed, built, used or <br />changed. Its purpose is to ensure development meets the needs and desires <br />of community members. The Subdivision Code helps the City regulate how <br />land is divided and prepared for development to ensure safe and functional <br />growth for years to come. <br />What has been done so far? <br />Over the last year, HKGi has met with the Planning Commission three times <br />to review sections of the Zoning and Subdivision Codes and to provide <br />recommendations to the City Council. They have looked at a wide range <br />of topics, including updating the titles and purposes of the existing zoning <br />Save the Date! <br />The 2025 State of the City will be <br />held on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. <br />with a formal presentation at <br />10:30 a.m. in the City Hall Council <br />Chambers. This annual event invites <br />community members to hear <br />directly from City leaders about <br />Arden Hills’ recent accomplishments, <br />current projects and future plans. <br />Whether you’re curious about <br />what’s ahead or want to hear about <br />City achievements, <br />the State of the <br />City is a valuable <br />opportunity to <br />stay informed <br />and engaged with <br />your community.