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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026 VOL. 23 NO. 5 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00
HARVEST GRANGE: New concept plan proposed PAGE 13
City sees return of multifamily housing to the market BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
HUGO — Over the past decade, the city of Hugo has continued to experience steady growth. On average, the city has added approximately 150 new homes each year, translating to an estimated 300 to 400 new residents annually. Each year, the city’s Community Development Department presents an annual report to the City Council. “(The report) is a measure of how
“It’s nice to see some multifamily (housing) coming back after a little bit of a drought,” Max Gort Associate Planner
we are growing in the community and then taking a look at some of the activities that the department has been doing to continue to manage that growth long term,” explained Associate Planner Max Gort. Based on estimates from the Metropolitan Council, Gort says the city’s population is likely to be in the range of 17,700 to 18,000 residents. Last year, 34 planning applications were submitted to the department, which is slightly down from 41 applications in 2024 and the same number
in 2023. Gort explained there are a few reasons for that. He explained that in 2025, there were three ordinance amendments and many “one-off” applications. Gort said the outlier in the data for 2025 is encroachment agreements regarding a change to fence requirements. “We will likely see that inflated encroachment agreement number decreasing over the years going forward,” Gort said. SEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PAGE 11
City takes over as ditch authority from watershed BY MADELINE DOLBY QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS EDITOR
According to Steele, the Wedding Show offers just that. Up to 25 vendors will be on hand, including longtime favorites like Unreal Arrangements, Midwest DJ and Creative License, as well as newcomers, such as two balloon décor companies.
LINO LAKES — Lino Lakes has asked the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) to transfer management authority of portions of Anoka County Ditch (ACD) 55 to the city. The specific portion requested for transfer is known as Branch 8. The segment of the ditch proposed for transfer lies entirely within Lino Lakes, east of Centerville. According to a report created by Chris Otterness, a professional engineer at Houston Engineering, the well drains west from the northeast quarter of Section 24, Township 31, Range 22 in Anoka County, crosses Interstate 35E and ends with its connection to the main trunk of ACD 55. The total length of the proposed transfer is approximately 4,600 feet. Toni Schmidt, drainage and facilities manager at Houston Engineering, said the watershed district will still manage the remaining portions of ACD 55, including its main trunk. According to Schmidt, under the transfer, Lino Lakes will have the authority to modify or replace Branch 8’s system at its own discretion, but the city is still subject to local, state and federal rules, including RCWD rules. “The city would inspect and maintain Branch 8 of the drainage system. It would manage it under its municipal authorities, rather than under M.S. 103E,” Schmidt said. M.S.103E.812 refers to the state’s statutes for drainage projects that affect state land or water areas used for conservation.
SEE WEDDING SHOW, PAGE 7
SEE DITCH AUTHORITY, PAGE 2
FILE
Brides can get information from a variety of wedding vendors on Sunday, March 15 at the Wedding Show.
Press Publications hosts Wedding Show Press Publications and the White Bear Country Inn are set to host their 41st annual Wedding Show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15. The event brings together top local vendors in a low-stress setting, giving brides and their guests a chance to ex-
plore everything from venues to cupcakes without the crowds or high fees of big city shows. Patty Steele, general manager at Press Publications, says the show is especially appealing to first-time attendees. “First-timers are looking for an easy, convenient show that has a lot of good local vendors,” Steele said.
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