6.22.26 City Council Meeting

The zoning topic concerning our neighborhood was not discussed. The meeting was cut short due to discussions around a separate proposed data center project, leaving no opportunity for the neighborhood zoning item to be heard. You can watch the recorded 6/22 meeting here: https://townsquare.tv/IGH-VOD?site=6&showid=5758

Kurt Rechtzigel, the owner of the 1401 80th Street property, has communicated that he is actively working on design plans and intends to submit a formal application to the city to rezone his property. Once submitted, the City Council will be able to take up the application, at which point we will have the opportunity to attend the Planning Commission and Council meetings to make our voices heard.

We will continue to share updates as this process moves forward. 

Clearer update Confirmed by City Officials

Here is a clearer picture of where things stand with the parcel at 1401 80th St E based on conversations with the property owner, Kurt Rechtzigel, and directly with Kevin Shay, Inver Grove Heights City Planning Manager.

It's worth noting that everything we know about Kurt's actions and intentions comes through conversations he has had with neighbor Carol Halloran, who has been our primary point of contact with him. With that context in mind, here is what we understand to be true.

The Process

Any property owner can request an amendment to the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan to change a land use designation. The process goes: formal application with written justification → City staff review and recommendation → Planning Commission public hearing → City Council action → Metropolitan Council final approval. There are application fees and minimum escrows required, as with any land use request in the city.

Where Things Stand

Kurt has been in contact with City staff and has communicated to us that he wants to pursue a re-guiding of the property away from HDR. However, Kevin Shay confirmed that Kurt has not yet submitted a formal application. Until that happens, neither City staff nor the City Council can formally respond to or act on his request.

Kurt has also told Carol that City staff indicated they would not be supportive of the change. Kevin Shay clarified that this kind of early feedback is standard practice — staff routinely shares its preliminary position with applicants upfront so they can prepare the strongest possible application. It does not prevent Kurt from moving forward, and applicants regularly proceed even when staff expresses reservations.

What We Can Do Right Now

Until Kurt submits a formal application, our options are limited but not zero. We can contact our elected City Council members by email, phone, or in person to let them know this issue matters to our neighborhood. That said, the Council cannot take any action without a formal application in front of them. Kevin Shay also noted that reaching out to the Metropolitan Council at this stage would have no effect, as they only weigh in after the City has acted on a request.

If and when Kurt formally applies, we will have the opportunity to attend Planning Commission and City Council meetings and speak in support of the re-guiding. That is the most meaningful way for neighbors to advocate.

Next Steps

There are a few concrete things you can do right now to make your voice heard. First, plan to attend the City Council meeting on Monday, June 22 and speak during the public comment period. Even without a formal application on the table, showing up in numbers signals to the Council that this is a priority for our neighborhood. Second, reach out to your City Council members directly by email or phone to share your concerns. Third, keep an eye on the News page for updates — if and when Kurt submits a formal application, we will need neighbors ready to engage at the Planning Commission and Council hearings that follow.

The Bottom Line

The path forward runs through Kurt submitting a formal application. In the meantime, showing up on June 22 is the single best thing we can do as a neighborhood right now.

I've hit my free email limit for the month, so rather than waiting on emails from me, please bookmark the News tab for timely updates as things develop. If you have questions or want to get involved, reach out via the Contact Tab on the website.

City Hall Meeting Update

Carol attended the city hall meeting on 6/8. The counsel mainly discussed the proposed data center but Carol did speak up and let the members know Scenic Hills will be advocating against the high density zoning at the next meeting (6/22). Councilwoman Mary T’Kach said she would reach out to Carol later to come tour the neighborhood so she could understand the situation better.

Kurt has expressed to Carol that he will be submitting the required rezoning paperwork and attending the next council meeting on 6/22 - Carol is reaching out to Kurt to share the city’s response to our outreach and find out exactly when he is filing the paperwork. She has not heard back from him yet.

You can watch the recorded 6/8 meeting here: https://townsquare.tv/IGH-VOD?site=6&showid=5746

Plan is to attend the city’s NEXT MEETING: June 22, 2026 @ Counsel Chambers | 8150 Barbara Ave Inver Grove Heights 55077

City hall meeting 06.08.2026

There is a city council meeting tonight, however it is uncertain whether our neighborhood concerns will be heard, the council is currently focused on a proposed data center at Travel Tags. Carol will be attending just in case, but it is looking like the June 22nd meeting is the one we will want to turn out for as a community.

06.01.2026

Scenic Hills Homeowners Association Meeting

At the most recent Homeowners Association meeting on June 1, 2026, Scenic Hills residents had the opportunity to hear directly from Kurt, the new owner of the property at 1401 80th St E. What he shared was both clarifying and encouraging.

Kurt's vision for the purchased land is a continuation of the single-family residential development that defines Scenic Hills — he wants to build homes, not apartments. His preference is entirely aligned with what our neighborhood has been asking for. The obstacle, however, is a High Density Residential future land use designation that was placed on this parcel before Scenic Hills was ever developed. That designation existed before our neighborhood was built, before any of us purchased our homes, and before a single-family community was established on the surrounding land. Because of it, Kurt is currently unable to move forward with single-family development regardless of his intentions.

Despite his efforts to work with the City of Inver Grove Heights to have the designation changed, Kurt has been unable to persuade the city council to act. The city has so far been unwilling to revisit a zoning decision that, in our view, no longer reflects the reality of the community that has grown up around this property.

This is where our advocacy becomes directly meaningful. A sustained, organized pressure from the Scenic Hills community could be the deciding factor. If enough residents make their voices heard — through emails, phone calls, petition signatures, and attendance at city council meetings — it may be enough to shift the council's position.

We encourage every Scenic Hills resident to take action using the contacts listed on this site. The more of us who engage, the stronger our collective case becomes.We encourage every Scenic Hills resident to take action. The more of us who engage, the stronger our collective case becomes.