St. Paul Planning Commission Meeting – February 17, 2023

The St. Paul Planning Commission met on February 17, 2023, at 2:30 PM CT. The meeting began with the swearing‑in of three new commissioners (Commissioners Yachty, Luis, and Pega) and introductions of all commissioners and staff. The commission then received reports from its standing committees, discussed ongoing studies (the 1‑to‑4 Unit Housing Study and the Anti‑Displacement Task Force), and was informed of a minor master plan amendment for the Ford site (Highland Bridge) regarding car‑share parking. No public comments or testimony were heard. Three zoning items were voted on and approved.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were heard.

Discussion Items

• Approval of Minutes (February 3, 2023): The minutes were not available; the chair noted they would be addressed later.
• Committee Openings: The chair and planning director announced openings on the Transportation Committee and the Communications & Nominations Committee, and invited new commissioners to volunteer.
• Zoning Committee Report (Commissioner Riley): Three rezonings were presented and voted on (see Key Outcomes).
  • 271 Snelling Avenue North: Rezone from RT1 to I1 (light industrial) to provide transitional industrial use. District 13 made no recommendation; no letters of support or opposition. Committee voted 4‑0 in favor. Commission approved with one abstention.
  • 869 W. 7th Street (Northwest corner of Cayuga and W. 7th): Rezone from RT1 to RT2. District 5 made no recommendation; no letters. Committee voted 4‑0 in favor. Commission approved with one abstention.
  • 1598 Colborne Avenue: Rezone from I2 to I1 (light industrial) to allow a parking lot for an industrial plant. The site is adjacent to residential parcels. Four letters of opposition were received, but no one spoke at the meeting. The committee discussed whether to use I1 or IT; they chose I1 to consolidate zoning with adjacent I1 parcels. Committee voted 4‑0 in favor. Commission approved with one abstention.
• Comprehensive & Neighborhood Planning Committee Report (Commissioner Holst):
  • The committee has been meeting weekly to discuss the 1‑to‑4 Unit Housing Study Phase 2, which would update zoning in most residential neighborhoods. The committee plans to bring the study to the full Planning Commission for a public hearing in April 2023 (target date April 14). A series of specific questions will be released to guide public feedback. Staff will produce a condensed presentation and summary materials, and will conduct at least two webinars in mid‑March, plus direct outreach to community organizations, including in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali. Commissioners encouraged early review of the materials and suggested that the Communications & Nominations Committee assist with outreach.
• Transportation Committee Report (Chair): The committee’s next meeting is postponed to March 6. At the last meeting, Public Works Director Sean Kershaw discussed the Mayor’s proposed 1% sales tax proposal, which would add $30 million per year for residential street mill‑and‑overlays. The proposal must first pass the state legislature, then go to a city‑wide ballot.
• Communications & Nominations Committee: No updates, but it was suggested that the committee could help with outreach for the 1‑to‑4 Unit Housing Study.
• Liaison Reports:
  • River Corridor Committee: The chair noted that two commissioners will be approached to serve.
  • Anti‑Displacement Task Force (Commissioner Mitchell): The task force is reviewing data on gentrification across St. Paul, including a 20% drop in Latino population on the West Side and increases in Asian and African American populations. They are also examining business displacement. The task force will move to recommending policy tools soon. It was noted that the 1‑to‑4 Unit Housing Study is being informed by this data, as zoning changes can be an anti‑displacement tool.
  • Port Authority / Hillcrest (Commissioner Mitchell and staff): The Port Authority has updated its workforce agreement, shifting from a target of 70% St. Paul resident hiring to an incentive‑based system where employers deposit money into escrow and can earn it back by hiring local residents, especially from the surrounding zip code. Concerns were raised about whether these jobs are low‑wage and whether retention is tracked. The Port Authority has not yet reported back to the commission on these issues.
• Minor Master Plan Amendment – Ford Site (Highland Bridge): Planning staff announced a proposed minor amendment to allow car‑share parking in the public right‑of‑way, rather than only on private property, to accommodate the car‑share provider Our Car. The amendment would keep the existing requirement but add the option of public‑right‑of‑way spaces. The first hub will be on Cretin Avenue with four parking spaces (two for car‑share, two for electric vehicle charging). The decision is administrative and will be issued after a 10‑day appeal period. Commissioners asked about the number of spaces and the precedent, but no formal action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Rezonings:
  • 271 Snelling Avenue North: Approved (1 abstention) – rezone from RT1 to I1.
  • 869 W. 7th Street: Approved (1 abstention) – rezone from RT1 to RT2.
  • 1598 Colborne Avenue: Approved (1 abstention) – rezone from I2 to I1.
• Next Steps: The 1‑to‑4 Unit Housing Study will be brought to the Planning Commission for a public hearing on April 14, 2023. The commission will release a set of questions for public feedback. Staff will prepare a condensed summary and conduct outreach in multiple languages. The minor master plan amendment for the Ford site will be issued administratively; the 10‑day appeal period begins after the meeting. Commissioners were encouraged to review materials and submit questions in advance.