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Record of Proceedings

St. Paul Planning Commission Meeting – March 26, 2026 (Transcript Discrepancy: April 3, 2026)

Planning Commission — Thursday, March 26, 2026
BodySt Paul, Minnesota
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, March 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 30:09

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

I will now call to order the April 3rd, 2026 meeting of the St.

0:04

Paul Planning Commission.

0:06

The first item of business is uh roll call.

0:09

Uh Sam?

0:10

Commissioner Grill.

0:11

Present.

0:12

Commissioner Hackney.

0:14

Commissioner Holst.

0:15

Here.

0:16

Commissioner Johnson Becker.

0:18

Here.

0:18

Commissioner Martinson.

0:20

Here.

0:21

Commissioner Presley.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Commissioner Riley.

0:26

Commissioner Starling.

0:28

Here.

0:29

Commissioner Tagieff.

0:31

And Commissioner Thomas.

0:34

Seven present.

0:36

Thank you.

0:38

Next up is approval of the March 20th, 2026 Planning Commission meeting minutes.

0:43

Do I have a motion on the minutes?

0:45

So moved.

0:46

Motion by Commissioner Holtz.

0:47

Do I have a second?

0:48

Second.

0:49

Second by Commissioner Starling.

0:50

Is there any discussion on the minutes?

0:53

All right.

0:54

Seeing no discussion, we'll move forward with the vote.

0:56

All those in favor?

0:57

Aye.

0:58

Aye.

0:59

Any opposed?

1:00

Any abstentions?

1:01

Abstain.

1:02

Uh Commissioner Martinson abstains.

1:04

I abstained too.

1:04

I wasn't here.

1:05

And Commissioner Presley abstains.

1:07

All right.

1:08

Uh the minutes pass.

1:12

Uh next up are public hearings.

1:14

Um I'm going to read a little script for you now.

1:20

Uh this is the public hearing portion of our agenda.

1:23

Planning commission decisions on most types of zoning applications, including conditional use permits, non-conforming use permits, site plans, and variances are final decisions unless appealed to the city council.

1:34

Planning commission decisions on rezonings and master plan amendments are only recommendations to the city council who make the final decision.

1:42

Planning commission findings must have a rational basis based upon the St.

1:45

Paul zoning code and applicable state and federal laws.

1:49

Today we are holding a public hearing with the following rules and procedures.

1:52

One, after I read them, we will hear a staff report.

1:56

We'll hear a staff report, and then I will open up the floor for commissioners to ask questions of staff.

2:01

The applicant will then be given an opportunity to speak about their request and answer any questions from the commission.

2:08

After that, I will open up the public hearing on the item.

2:11

All testimony and questions should be addressed to the chair and relate to the proposal before the commission.

2:17

If you are a member of the public that would like to comment on a specific item, you may do so by standing between the two center microphones, stating your name and home location for the record.

2:27

After you complete your testimony, please sign in on the sheet to your right.

2:30

Testimony will be limited to no more than two minutes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Land Use Regulation████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Economic Development█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Paul Planning Commission Meeting – March 26, 2026 (Discrepancy: Transcript States April 3, 2026)

Note: The provided meeting date is March 26, 2026, but the transcript begins with "April 3rd, 2026 meeting". This summary uses the instructed date and notes the conflict.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of March 20, 2026 minutes: Motion carried with abstentions from Commissioners Martinson and Presley.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • 44 Isabel Street East Conditional Use Permit (flea market): No public speakers; public hearing closed without testimony.

Discussion Items

  • 44 Isabel Street East CUP – Outdoor Sales (West Side Ice Arena): Staff presented a recommendation for approval, noting the property is unused June–October. The applicant, Vang Fang Yang of Minnesota Flea Market LLC, described the market’s mission to support low-income families and expand opportunity to the West Side. The market has operated in Maplewood since 2022, with 40–50 vendors and 200–300 attendees in good weather. The commission approved the permit.
  • Green Roof Incentives Amendment: Third reading; no testimony. Commission approved moving the amendment to the city council.
  • Planning Commission Annual Report: Approved and sent to the mayor and city council. Commissioners requested future updates on major projects (River’s Edge, the Heights, Ford site), ADU implementation, and single-family zoning outcomes.
  • New Business Requests: Commissioner Riley requested presentations on River’s Edge, the Heights, and Ford site; also suggested reconsidering the city’s official newspaper (Pioneer Press). Commissioner Holtz asked for ADU and single-family zoning updates.
  • Site Plan Review: March 31 meeting reviewed 1420 Mississippi River Boulevard (hilltop condos); April 7 has no cases.
  • Director’s Announcements: Director Robinson updated on downtown 2050 plan RFP, T District zoning map amendments (six corridors), amended bylaws, sign code study, major development site updates, data recovery from cyber attack, and potential reports on permit data. Commissioner Holtz inquired about meeting time change; a poll showed not all could attend, so the issue will be revisited.
  • Comp Plan Timeline: Staff expects to bring an update to the commission in summer 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • 44 Isabel Street CUP: Approved (conditional use permit for outdoor sales/flea market).
  • Green Roof Incentives Amendment: Approved and forwarded to city council.
  • Planning Commission Annual Report: Approved and sent to mayor and city council.
  • Future Agenda Items: Director noted upcoming work plan items (downtown 2050, T District maps, etc.). Commissioners’ requests for presentations will be considered.
  • Meeting Time Change: On hold due to scheduling conflicts; will be re-polled in a few months.

Meeting Transcript

I will now call to order the April 3rd, 2026 meeting of the St. Paul Planning Commission. The first item of business is uh roll call. Uh Sam? Commissioner Grill. Present. Commissioner Hackney. Commissioner Holst. Here. Commissioner Johnson Becker. Here. Commissioner Martinson. Here. Commissioner Presley. Here. Commissioner Riley. Commissioner Starling. Here. Commissioner Tagieff. And Commissioner Thomas. Seven present. Thank you. Next up is approval of the March 20th, 2026 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Do I have a motion on the minutes? So moved. Motion by Commissioner Holtz. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Starling. Is there any discussion on the minutes? All right. Seeing no discussion, we'll move forward with the vote. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Abstain. Uh Commissioner Martinson abstains. I abstained too. I wasn't here. And Commissioner Presley abstains. All right. Uh the minutes pass. Uh next up are public hearings. Um I'm going to read a little script for you now. Uh this is the public hearing portion of our agenda. Planning commission decisions on most types of zoning applications, including conditional use permits, non-conforming use permits, site plans, and variances are final decisions unless appealed to the city council. Planning commission decisions on rezonings and master plan amendments are only recommendations to the city council who make the final decision. Planning commission findings must have a rational basis based upon the St.

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