St. Paul City Council Meeting Summary - October 15, 2025

The St. Paul City Council convened on October 15, 2025, with five members present and two excused. The council processed a mix of routine consent items, including bond resolutions and legal appointments, alongside substantive discussions on zoning reforms, heritage preservation, and property abatement appeals. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the Traditional Neighborhood District zoning study and approving historic designation for the Theodore Ham Brewing Company, alongside a public hearing regarding a landowner's appeal over tall grass and native plantings.

Consent Calendar

• Items 6 through 25 (excluding items 10, 13, and 24) were approved unanimously after being pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
• Resolution 25-1598: Authorized the city's revised rank list of 2026 state general obligation bonding requests (Version 2) to be submitted to the Minnesota Management and Budget. This item was adopted unanimously.
• Rules Suspension: The rules were suspended to allow immediate consideration of Resolution 25-1650, required due to a Friday deadline.
• Resolution 25-1650: Appointed the Public Rights Project as special counsel in the matter City of Boston et al. versus Department of Homeland Security et al. (filed in the District of Massachusetts). The resolution was adopted unanimously. Councilmember Bowie noted the counsel would be provided pro bono with no cost to the city.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing on Zoning (Item 28): No members of the public testified on the rezoning of 1059 Maryland Avenue.
• Public Hearing on Abatement Appeal (Item 29): Mark Pachala, the homeowner at 2016 Fremont Avenue, testified regarding his appeal of a summary abatement order for tall grass and weeds and a vehicle abatement order.
  • Position: Mr. Pachala expressed frustration over a lack of clear guidance on compliance for managed native plantings versus overgrown turf lawns, stating that the current process creates a financial burden (contributing to a $200+ monthly increase on his mortgage) and forces the destruction of pollinator habitats he is trying to cultivate. He requested specific parameters and departmental direction on what constitutes acceptable maintenance to avoid future abatement orders.
  • He noted that while he has spoken with Department of Safety and Inspections staff, he feels his property is being targeted and lacks the resources to immediately clear the yard or understand the specific regulatory distinctions between a "native planting" and a "turf lawn" under the code.
• Item 29 (Withdrawn): Item 29 was withdrawn by the city attorney before the public hearing commenced (as noted in the transcript flow, though Mr. Pachala was clearly heard on the continuation of his appeal).

Discussion Items

• Conduit Revenue Bonds (Items 10 & 13):
  • Item 10 (Twin Cities German Emergency School Project): Resolution 25-1545 was discussed. Councilmember Yang expressed opposition, citing negative fiscal impacts on school districts, specifically St. Paul Public Schools. He stated he would not support conduit revenue bonds for charter or private schools. The resolution was adopted 4-1 (with Yang opposed).
  • Item 13 (Metro Deaf School Project): Resolution 25-1556 was discussed. Councilmember Yang again expressed opposition based on the same fiscal concerns regarding charter schools. Councilmember Coleman expressed support, emphasizing the importance of investing in community accessibility improvements. The resolution was adopted 4-1 (with Yang opposed).
• Traditional Neighborhood District (T) Zoning Study (Item 26):
  • Senior Planner Spencer Miller Johnson presented the staff report, outlining changes to modernize 2011 zoning standards to align with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Key proposed amendments included clarifying T district purposes, increasing height limits in T2/T3 by 10 feet, adding density bonuses for affordable housing, and streamlining design standards.
  • Community Feedback: The planning commission received 51 testimonies (46 written, 5 verbal). Themes included strong support for the study, interest in rezoning more land to T districts, and interest in combining T1 and T2 districts.
  • Staff Position: Staff explained that combining T1 and T2 was not recommended because T1 is currently underutilized and overly restrictive; the proposed amendments aim to make T1 useful for small-scale mixed-use rather than merging them. A future scope of work may include proactive city-initiated rezonings, which were not part of the current text amendment process.
  • Outcome: The ordinance was laid over to November 5th for a public hearing and second reading. Councilmember Johnson expressed excitement about the long-term investment and the process.
• Heritage Preservation District (Item 27):
  • Project Description: Designation of the Theodore Ham Brewing Company as a Heritage Preservation Site to facilitate the redevelopment of the East and West End Complexes, including 196 affordable housing units (30-70% AMI) and a commercial marketplace. The project leverages approximately $28 million in state and federal historic tax credits (20% each).
  • Discussion: Staff explained that local designation triggers Heritage Preservation Commission review for exterior changes but does not freeze development. The designation is critical for financing the $91.8 million renovation costs. A boundary change was proposed to exclude the Hope Academy.
  • Outcome: The amendment was approved and laid over to October 22nd for a public hearing and second reading.
• Abatement Appeal (Item 29 Continued):
  • Recommendation: Hearing Officer Ms. Mormon recommended denying the appeal and setting a compliance deadline of October 20th for the property to meet the 8-inch grass limit, noting the owner's intent to use managed native plantings but failing to clearly distinguish them from an overgrown turf lawn in the submitted photos.
  • Council Deliberation: Councilmembers Bowie and Yang expressed concern regarding the short timeframe and the lack of clear guidance for property owners wishing to maintain native pollinator gardens. They highlighted the need for the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) to provide educational resources or direct the appellant to expert agencies (e.g., Master Gardeners).
  • Decision: Councilmember Johnson moved to lay the matter over to November 5th to allow time for DSI to visit the site, clarify the current condition (as photos were from September), and potentially draft language regarding community education on native landscapes.

Key Outcomes

• Voted to Adopt: Resolution 25-1545 (German Emergency School Bonds), Resolution 25-1556 (Metro Deaf School Leases), Resolution 25-1598 (2026 Bonding Request), and Resolution 25-1650 (Public Rights Project Legal Counsel).
• Voted to Lay Over (Next Steps):
  • Ordinance 25-59 (Zoning Study): Laid over to November 5th for public hearing and second reading.
  • Ordinance 25-61 (Theodore Ham Brewing): Laid over to October 22nd for public hearing and second reading.
  • Ordinance 25-58 (1059 Maryland Ave Rezoning): Public hearing closed; matter laid over to October 22nd for final adoption.
  • Resolution 25-55 (Pachala Abatement Appeal): Laid over to November 5th. DSI is requested to inspect the property and consider providing compliance guidance/resources to the appellant.
• Legislative Hearing Items: Items 30-34 (excluding item 33 which was addressed above) were approved unanimously after the public hearing was closed with no further testimony.
• Community Updates: Councilmembers shared upcoming events including Halloween parties in Dayton's Bluff and Dilith & Case Recreation Centers, a neighborhood cleanup ("Trash Party") in Ward 4, and a community conversation on reparations in Ward 1.