Saint Paul Planning Commission Meeting – July 25, 2025

The Saint Paul Planning Commission met on July 25, 2025, at 8:30 AM in City Hall Conference Center Room 40. The meeting covered approval of corrected minutes from July 11, two conditional use permits, a public hearing on the Hamline Midway Neighborhood Plan update, committee reports, and a presentation on the 2026 budget process. The commission also thanked Commissioner Ismail Khadar for his service on his last day.

Minutes Approval

• The commission approved the July 11, 2025 minutes after correcting an error: the item on the 2026 Budget Process and Engagement (Roman numeral X) was struck because the presentation did not occur at that meeting. The motion passed 13–0–1 (Commissioner Martinson abstained).

Zoning Committee

• 25-045-732 General Leo’s NCUP – Reestablishment of a nonconforming commercial use as a general store at 469 Anita Street. The commission adopted the resolution with final plans approved by zoning administration, limiting hours to 10 PM. Passed unanimously.
• 25-044-869 Women’s Advocates CUP – Conditional use permit for a shelter for battered persons (up to 24 adult residents and minor children) at 362 Cleveland Avenue N., with a modification of the 1,320-foot minimum distance requirement to 1,037 feet (a 283-foot reduction). Mitigating factors included a large topographic arc separating the site from conflicting uses. Passed unanimously.
• 25-040-900 Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul CUP – Conditional use permit with modification to use a building at 1010 Bandana Boulevard as an emergency housing facility for families. The zoning code limits such shelters to 16 residents in this district unless modified. After discussion, the commission adopted a motion to approve with a condition limiting total occupancy to 80 families plus Interfaith Action staff living on site for operational purposes. The applicant was comfortable with the 80-family cap. Staff noted the hotel has 110 rooms, and the applicant’s current staffing supports the 60-family number but 80 provides flexibility. The motion passed.

Public Hearing – Hamline Midway (D11) Neighborhood Plan Update

• Justin Lennandusky, organizing director for the Hamline Midway Coalition, testified in support of the plan, noting it engaged hundreds of neighbors over five years following the pandemic and civil unrest. He highlighted the neighborhood’s focus on housing, opioid addiction, environmental concerns, air quality, trash cleanup, waterway protection, and renter defense. No other public testimony was offered.
• The commission closed the public hearing, left the record open until 4:30 PM on Monday, July 28, 2025, and referred the plan to the Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee for review. Motion passed.

Committee Reports

• Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee – Next meeting scheduled for August 6, 2025; no agenda set.
• Zoning Committee – Next meeting scheduled for July 31, 2025, at 3:30 PM.
• Transportation Committee – August 21 meeting canceled; next meeting scheduled for August 4, 2025.
• Communications‑Nomination Committee – No report.

New Business – 2026 Budget Process and Engagement

• Jabari Knox, aide to the Mayor’s Office, presented the 2026 budget engagement process. Last year’s budget was $855 million. The budget address is confirmed for August 15, 2025. Knox distributed a QR code for a budget game (8–10 minutes) that allows stakeholders to prioritize programs, snow plow services, public safety improvements, and other areas. The mayor’s office has engaged at eight locations, including coffee shops and restaurants across wards. Commissioner Holst asked about a potential decrease in public safety staffing and its connection to fentanyl epidemic interventions; Knox explained that public safety investments cover both sworn officers and community partners. The commission thanked the presenters.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned.