Saint Paul Planning Commission Meeting - April 4, 2025

The Saint Paul Planning Commission met on April 4, 2025, to approve minutes from a prior meeting, hear committee reports, conduct a public hearing on minor text amendments to the zoning study, and receive informational presentations on the American Planning Association national conference and a tour of a recently completed mixed-income development at 411 Lexington Parkway.

Public Hearing: Minor Text Amendments Zoning Study

• The Commission held a public hearing on proposed minor text amendments to the zoning study. No members of the public testified. The hearing was closed, and the matter was referred back to the Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee (CNPC) with the record held open for written testimony until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025. The motion passed unanimously, with Commissioner Martinson abstaining on the earlier minutes approval but not on this vote (the motion was made by Commissioner Holtz, seconded by Commissioner Ortega; all in favor, no opposition, no abstentions).
• Commissioner Riley asked whether the full Commission would have a chance to deliberate before a final vote; Director Robinson confirmed that deliberation would occur after public testimony was received. Commissioners were encouraged to email questions or comments to staff.
• CNPC Chair Holtz reported that the committee met the previous Wednesday and voted to move forward significant adjustments to the T2 and T3 zoning districts, which will come to the full Planning Commission soon.

Committee Updates

• Zoning Committee: No items at the April 4 meeting. The next meeting is April 23, 2025, with three items: a conditional use permit for an impound lot on Bosch Channel Road, a conditional use permit for 841–857 Grand Avenue (height increase at Victoria and Grand), and a site plan review for 560 Randolph Avenue.
• Transportation Committee: No meeting on April 7. The April 21 meeting will include public works items on shared mobility and the downtown sidewalk plan.

New Business: Informational Items

• Summary of American Planning Association National Conference: Director Robinson presented highlights from a session titled "Can Your Zoning Hack It" attended in Denver. The session featured speakers from Greenville, Pomona, and Code Studio. They discussed Euclidean vs. form-based vs. modular zoning codes, defining zoning problems, and the importance of aligning zoning with economic and consumer trends (e.g., delivery-based consumption). The session included a hands-on "code hack" exercise where participants tried to fit different housing types onto a lot given current regulations. Robinson noted that Saint Paul’s code already addresses many issues other cities are struggling with, such as parking minimums. Commissioners discussed the need to integrate land use and transportation planning, the impact of delivery services on building design, and the potential value of conducting a similar activity for public outreach or commission education.
• Summary of 411 Lexington Parkway Tour: Director Robinson shared a virtual tour of “The Nine at Lexington Station,” a mixed-income development that had previously come before the Commission. The building includes amenities such as a lobby with real-time transit information, transit passes for all residents, an accessible mailroom, remote work pods, a gym with a dance studio, a pet spa, a swimming pool, a bike garage with a washing station, a special loading dock for moving trucks, a solar array, and a rooftop deck. Affordable units are provided through the 4D program; the building is mixed-income. The manager is a local resident, and a coffee shop will open on the ground floor. Commissioners appreciated seeing the completed project and noted the transparency of the building’s website regarding fees and utilities.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes from the April 4, 2025 Planning Commission meeting (motion by Commissioner Holtz, seconded; one abstention from Commissioner Martinson).
• Closed the public hearing for the minor text amendments zoning study, referred the matter to CNPC, and held the record open until April 21, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. (motion by Commissioner Holtz, seconded by Commissioner Ortega; unanimous vote).
• Received informational updates on the APA conference and the 411 Lexington Parkway tour, with no formal action taken.