Ben's Journey & Expertise
Ben Lindau’s life and career have been defined by a passion for building—not just high-quality structures, but strong, resilient communities. His path from local parent to Planning Commissioner reflects a deep-rooted dedication to the future of Arden Hills.
Proven Leadership
As a Planning Commissioner, Ben has consistently advocated for smart planning strategies that balance fiscal responsibility, common sense adaptation to today's needs, and the preservation of our neighborhood character. As a business leader in the local twin cities community, Ben understands what it takes to build the right teams, hold them accountable, stay on schedule, and meet budgets.
Vision for The Future
An architect and builder by trade, Ben understands the technical complexities of infrastructure, sustainable development, green financing, and long-term urban planning. To do this right, Ben will listen to our needs and wants to create a vision for the future that best serves the community and residents of Arden Hills. Ben has helped other communities to do this for decades.
Deep Community Roots
As a father of two young boys, Ben is personally invested in ensuring Arden Hills remains a premier destination for families, defined by safe parks and top-tier schools. As a volunteer student-athlete coach for the Mounds View / Totino Grace / Irondale Mountain Bike Race Team, Ben supports and teaches our youth that they can be a part of a team, do hard things, and have a good time. Also, Ben has volunteered to maintain a large City Park Trail Native Pollinator Garden since 2017.
Personal Background
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Katie Lane neighborhood resident for 9 years
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Live with my wife, Sara, and our two young sons
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Children attend Valentine Hills Elementary and Highview Middle School
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M.Arch, University of Minnesota; B.S., The Ohio State University
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Designed and built his family's Net Zero Ready Home with on-site renewable energy.
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I enjoy: fixing old things, talking with neighbors, continually learning, watching football, and riding on trails.
My Community Experience
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2024–Present: Arden Hills Planning Commissioner
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2024–Present: Mounds View Public Schools student‑athlete coach
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2017–Present: Installed and maintain a 2,000‑square‑foot pollinator garden on the Diagonal Trail adjacent to Hazelnut Park
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Former Arden Hills Parks and Recreation soccer coach
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Former AIA Minnesota Architectural Foundation Board Member
Professional Background
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Sustainability & Affordability: Led city, county, and sustainability guidelines planning and approvals for 147 zero‑carbon, affordable, owner‑occupied homes for Habitat for Humanity Twin Cities at The Heights in Saint Paul.
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Leadership: Principal (business unit leader) for a large 200+ person architecture firm, where I lead and build teams to help tackle the problems of Twin City communities.
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Single‑Family Homes: General contractor for my family’s Arden Hills net‑zero‑ready home, featuring high efficiency, renewable energy, and a pollinator garden.
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Housing: Architect for over 2,000 built mixed‑use housing units in the Twin Cities area, with a focus on market‑rate apartments with integrated affordability.
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Health and Campus Planning: Master planning for Mayo Clinic’s Rochester and Scottsdale campuses, and replacement hospitals in Korea, Dubai, Qatar, Kentucky, Seattle, Fargo, and Minneapolis.
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Complexity: Design and Construction Manager for U.S. Bank Stadium’s world’s largest pivot doors, leading multiple design and construction organizations by creating an atmosphere of collaboration, teamwork, and trust.
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Management: Ben uses his construction management training and experience to effectively manage risk, change, schedule, safety, schedule, quality, and budgets.
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Technology: As a member and active contributor to the American Public Works Association, Ben understands the digital tools and information management systems that cities use to manage budgets, create high ROI maintainence plans, and to do more with less.