Saint Paul Planning Commission Meeting: Rezoning and Similar-Use Appeal – February 7, 2025

The Saint Paul Planning Commission met on February 7, 2025, at 14:30 UTC. Note: The agenda for this meeting is dated February 21, 2025, but the meeting date is recorded as February 7, 2025, per the provided metadata. The meeting included routine approvals, a contested zoning appeal, and committee reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the February 7, 2025 Planning Commission meeting (motion by Commissioner Syed, second by Commissioner Presley) – approved unanimously.
• 10 River Park Plaza Rezoning (File 24-078480): Rezone from T3M traditional neighborhood with master plan to ITM transitional industrial. The Zoning Committee recommended approval; the Commission approved without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• At the Zoning Committee public hearing for the 560 Randolph appeal, 23 people spoke in favor of the appeal and none against it. Speakers argued that the proposed use conflicted with small area plans, including the Great River Passage Master Plan, and with community visions for a pedestrian-oriented riverfront district. No additional public comment was taken during the full Commission meeting.

Discussion Items

560 Randolph Avenue Appeal (File 25-005778)

• Staff presentation: T. An Anderson, planner with the Department of Safety Inspections, explained that SCC Environmental Services applied for a statement of clarification for a solid-waste truck dispatch center, fleet maintenance, and compressed-natural-gas refueling on the 4.25-acre parcel zoned I-1 light industrial. The Zoning Administrator determined the use was similar to a public works yard or maintenance facility, which is permitted in I-1. The West 7th Fort Road Federation appealed, arguing the four statutory findings for similar use were not met.
• The four findings: (1) use is similar in character to permitted uses; (2) traffic generated is similar; (3) use is not first permitted in a less restrictive district; (4) use is consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Staff stated that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan takes precedence over area plans and designates the property as industrial; the site has an active industrial history (most recently a tow truck operation), and more than 100 uses are permitted in I-1.
• Commissioner Reilly asked whether other comparable uses were considered; staff replied that over 100 I-1 uses were examined, and the public works yard was the most similar.
• Commissioner Taghioff (who dissented in the Zoning Committee) explained that neighbors pointed to the Great River Passage Master Plan, which envisions the nearby "Island Station" district as a river-oriented arts and leisure area, conflicting with the broader industrial land-use map. He noted the difficult balance between specific area plans and the comprehensive plan.
• Commissioner Starling argued the public/private distinction is not a valid basis for dissimilarity, citing privately owned school buses and Metro Transit vehicles; she noted the decision to contract out trash collection is a municipal service choice, not a land-use difference.
• Commissioner Riley argued the use fits the I-1 district (service business, vehicle storage/maintenance) and that the question is not rezoning but whether the use is appropriate under current zoning. He also cited potential climate benefits of locating the facility within the city.
• Director Robinson noted that the surrounding area remains an active industrial/working waterfront corridor with rail access and grain elevators and that any future rezoning would likely require a property-owner-initiated application or a new zoning study.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved.
• 10 River Park Plaza Rezoning approved.
• 560 Randolph Appeal: The Commission voted unanimously to deny the appeal, thereby upholding the Zoning Administrator's similar-use determination (solid-waste truck dispatch center/maintenance facility is similar to a public works yard).
• The draft annual report from the Communications and Nominations Committee was accepted. The final report and election of officers (including Chair, Vice Chairs, and Secretary) will be considered at the next regular meeting on March 7, 2025.

Committee Reports

• Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: Reported minor text amendments to the zoning code (housekeeping items, e.g., deleting obsolete references to R1/R2/R3) will come to the full Commission for approval; next meeting scheduled for March 5, 2025.
• Transportation Committee: Announced a meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall Annex to discuss the Point Douglas Regional Trail, a 3.5-mile shared-use trail between Battle Creek Regional Park and I-94/Bailey Road, design approximately 60% complete.
• Communications and Nominations Committee: Nominated Kristine Grill (Chair), Nieeta Presley (First Vice Chair), Mauricio Ochoa (Second Vice Chair), and Elizabeth Starling (Secretary); subcommittee chairs were also nominated. Elections will take place on March 7, 2025.