Arden Hills planners back stormwater code changes to meet new MPCA MS4 permit

The Arden Hills Planning Commission on Feb. 4 unanimously recommended changes to the city code to align local stormwater and subdivision rules with updated Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) MS4 permit language issued in 2025. Community Development Director Jacob Reilly told the commission staff and a consultant had revised Chapters 11, 10 and 15 of the city code to reflect the new permit cycle requirements and that the package would be forwarded to the City Council as a related set of amendments for consideration on March 9.

Commissioners asked staff to preserve references to watershed oversight and to clarify long-term maintenance obligations. Assistant Public Works Director Lucas Miller said the ordinance updates are intended to align the city with federal and state requirements and that references to the Rice Creek Watershed District would remain. Reilly said staff would also reconcile numbering and section references before Council review.

The commission opened a public hearing; there were no public comments, and the commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the proposed amendments to Chapter 11 (Subdivisions) related to stormwater management, directing staff to amend the ordinance numbering for clarity. The recommendation covers related edits to Chapter 10 (Utilities) and Chapter 15 (Erosion and Sediment Control) that staff presented as part of the MPCA-driven package.

The changes respond to the MPCA’s five-year MS4 permit update that governs municipal stormwater programs, including Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements and expectations for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Programs (SWPPPs). The Planning Commission’s recommendation is advisory; final adoption will be decided by the Arden Hills City Council when the package is considered at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will prepare the ordinance package and corrected section numbering for City Council consideration on March 9.