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Century Ponds Development
DR Horton is proposing to redevelop the former Ramsey County Ponds golf course, which closed in 2021. The Century Ponds project is a proposed 207-unit development consisting of single-family homes and townhomes on the 92.25-acre site located southwest of Lower Afton Road East and Century Avenue South. The development is proposed to include internal roads and connection to municipal utilities. The site layout is designed to be sensitive to existing natural features, with a focus on preserving wetlands, natural areas, and the vegetated buffer along the western boundary. Where feasible, portions of the former cart path will be repurposed into a community trail system to enhance connectivity and access to open space.
To move forward with this project, the developer needs City Council approval of the following requests: Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, Preliminary Plat, Planned Unit Development, Wetland Buffer Variance, Design Review, and Public Vacation of an Easement.
The Decision Process - Where Does This Project Currently Stand?
Approved October 27, 2025
Community Design Review Board
Reviewed this request on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and recommended APPROVAL
Planning Commission
Reviewed this request on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and recommended APPROVAL
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
Reviewed this request on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and recommended APPROVAL
City Council
APPROVED this request on Monday, October 27, 2025
Step 1: Development Application
After learning if the use could be considered on the property, continued meetings with City staff to address items like density, stormwater, utility connections, traffic, and more could be warranted. Once the concept is fully formed, the Developer submits an application to the Community Development Department. State law allows a maximum of 120 days for the city to act on the development application after it is accepted for processing.
Step 2: Planning Commission Review
Community Development staff schedules the item for a Public Hearing and review by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is a group of volunteer citizens who are appointed by the City Council to review proposed developments and make recommendations to the City Council.
The city sends out a notice of the Public Hearing meeting date to property owners within 500 feet of the development. A notice is also published in the newspaper used by the city for legal notices.This is an opportunity for citizens to participate in the Planning Commission meeting and provide their input to the commission members for consideration.
The Planning Commission considers the legal rights of property owners to develop their property, the zoning ordinance and Comprehensive plan requirements, any findings of fact, public input and staff conditions. Based on their findings, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council.
Step 3: City Council Meeting
The City Council then reviews the project and considers the recommendations of the Planning Commission and staff, zoning ordinance compliance, Comprehensive Plan compatibility, public feedback, and all other background reports to make a final decision. If the Council approves the proposal, the developer can begin to work to obtain the necessary permits for construction upon completing all conditions of approval.
The City of Maplewood encourages resident involvement and participation in the development review process.
Fall 2019:
As part of its budget process, Ramsey County proposed to realign its golf course portfolio and permanently close the Ponds at Battle Creek in Maplewood, a plan the County approved.
August 2020:
The city of Maplewood and Ramsey County signed a cooperative agreement to conduct a community engagement process facilitated by Perkins & Will.
At the time, this planning process also included a parcel north of Lower Afton Road. The DR Horton proposal does not include the northern parcel, known as Site A.
November 2020 to March 2021
The city and county held community meetings, stakeholder discussions and online surveys to review potential development scenarios for the south Maplewood properties.
July 2024
DR Horton attended the July 8, 2024, City Council Workshop meeting to discuss their concept plan to develop the property.
With the feedback gathered during the July 8, 2024, City Council Workshop and two community meetings, held August 15, 2024, and September 21, 2024, DR Horton developed a revised proposal. This proposal was presented at two additional community meetings held on December 12, 2024, and December 18, 2024. Further studies of the area concerning traffic and infrastructure will also take place.
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
City staff determined that an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) was required for a potential project of this size.
Alliant prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed development in accordance with Minnesota rules, evaluating the project's potential for environmental impacts. If the EAW identifies the potential for significant adverse environmental effects, the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) may require additional review through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The City of Maplewood is the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) for reviewing the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The EAW was distributed to the required jurisdictions and announced in the EQB Monitor on July 1, 2025, which initiated the mandatory 30-day public review and comment period. The City accepted public comments on the EAW until July 31, 2025. The City Council reviewed the EAW on August 25, 2025, along with all submitted comments, and determined that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required for the proposed project. A copy of the final Response to Comments, Findings of Fact, and Record of Decision can be found in the link below.
- Staff Report
- Meeting Minutes (will be posted once available)
- Final Response to Comments, Findings of Fact, and Record of Decision, approved on August 25, 2025
Additional Information
- View the full EAW (Entire document - 60 MB)
- EAW without Appendix (1.2 MB)
- Appendix A - FIGURES (5.6 MB)
- Appendix B - WETLAND DELINEATION INFORMATION (46.3 MB)
- Appendix C - MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WELL INDEX LOG (152 KB)
- Appendix D - MN DNR NATURAL HERITAGE INFORMATION SYSTEM (NHIS) DETERMINATION LETTER (2.4 MB)
- Appendix E - ALLIANT ENGINEERING 2024 ECOLOGICAL STUDY (2.6 MB)
- Appendix F - MnSHPO Review (1.2 MB)
- View the project notice in the EQB Monitor Volume 49, Number 26, published July 1, 2025
- View the EAW Public Notice, published in the Pioneer Press on June 27, 2025