Arden Hills City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Jess
Birken
Jess Birken is running for Arden Hills City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Jess BirkenYou’re reading
- 02Ben Lindau
- 03David Radziej
Background
- About
- Attorney specializing in nonprofit law and governance and a member of the Arden Hills Planning Commission. She has lived in Arden Hills since 2020.
- Campaign website
- www.votejess.org
Jess Birken (listed in the minutes as Jessica Birken) and Ben Lindau serve on the Arden Hills Planning Commission. City of Arden Hills · Apr 8, 2026
On the record: Jess Birken
6 sourced01Affordable housing1 sourced position
Moved the Planning Commission recommendation to approve the city's inclusionary housing ordinance, Planning Case 26-006 (passed 7-0, Apr 2026).
Commission voteCity of Arden Hills · Apr 8, 2026Link
02Lexington Avenue apartments1 sourced position
Seconded the Planning Commission recommendation to raise allowed density for a multiple-family proposal at 3499 Lexington Avenue N from 20 to 24 units per acre (passed 4-1, Jul 2026).
Commission voteCity of Arden Hills · Jul 8, 2026Link
03Rice Creek Commons2 sourced positions
Moved the Planning Commission recommendation to change clear height and loading dock rules in the TCAAP Redevelopment Code for Rice Creek Commons (passed 6-0, Jul 2026).
Commission voteCity of Arden Hills · Jul 8, 2026Link
Says she will work to prevent any data centers or prisons from locating at Rice Creek Commons.
Vote for me and I'll work to ensure we develop it well and prevent any data centers or prisons locating here.”
Own statementJess for Arden Hills (campaign website)Link
04City budget1 sourced position
Says the city is catching up on years of deferred maintenance and she will ask hard questions about spending.
Arden Hills is catching up on years of deferred maintenance, and that has real costs.”
Own statementJess for Arden Hills (campaign website)Link
05Parks and trails1 sourced position
Says the city should finish its trail connections and wants Round Lake cleaned up.
Own statementJess for Arden Hills (campaign website)Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Jess Birken: their words and their votes on the same issue
Rice Creek Commons
In their words
Says she will work to prevent any data centers or prisons from locating at Rice Creek Commons.
On the record
Moved the Planning Commission recommendation to change clear height and loading dock rules in the TCAAP Redevelopment Code for Rice Creek Commons (passed 6-0, Jul 2026).
Jul 8, 2026 ·City of Arden Hills · Jul 8, 2026
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