North St. Paul introduces new community development director, Ken Roberts

Ken Roberts, the City of North St. Paul’s new community development and community services director, formally introduced himself to the City Council at the workshop and outlined early priorities on his first week on the job. Roberts said he started as a planner in Maplewood, worked in Mountain View and North Branch, served as planning director in Lake Elmo from 2018 to 2021 and most recently was a city planner in Forest Lake before joining North St. Paul. “I’m on day 7. But who’s counting?” Roberts said.

Roberts told the council he will not propose immediate changes but will spend time learning local priorities. He identified the Downtown Design Manual — which he said still includes references to a historical commission and has not been updated since 02/2005 — and an outdated subdivision ordinance as items for review. He also flagged possible zoning-code updates and “day‑to‑day” process improvements in the planning office to streamline services.

Mayor Mange and several council members welcomed Roberts and encouraged him to consult with the planning commission and with council liaisons. Roberts said he attended the Planning Commission meeting the prior week and that the Downtown Design Manual and zoning questions had already been topics of discussion. He asked council members to send questions or items they would like placed into the department’s work hopper.

Roberts said he holds two degrees from the University of Minnesota and lives in Woodbury. He emphasized a familiar regional background and signaled an incremental, consultative approach: reviewing existing materials with staff and commissioners before recommending changes.

The council did not take any formal action during the introduction; the session was an informational presentation and opportunity for councilmembers to outline expectations and priorities for the new director.