Saint Paul Planning Commission Meeting – July 24, 2026

Note: The agenda listed the meeting date as July 31, 2026, and the chair called the meeting to order as “Friday, August 31st.” This summary uses the date provided by the user (July 24, 2026) per instructions. The transcript and agenda do not agree on the date.

The meeting focused on the future of the Rondo neighborhood. Commissioners heard a detailed presentation on the Rondo Small Area Plan, discussed procedural aspects of a nonprofit-led small area plan, and voted to release the draft plan for public review with a public hearing set for September 11, 2026. The meeting also honored Commissioner Hackney on his final meeting with a resolution of appreciation.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The Planning Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the June 26, 2026 meeting (Commissioner Presley abstained due to absence).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during this meeting.

Discussion Items

• Resolution of Appreciation for Commissioner Hackney: Chair Grill introduced a resolution honoring Commissioner Hackney for his service since moving from California to St. Paul. The resolution praised his work on eliminating consent petitions (2022), the 1–4 unit housing study, traditional neighborhood amendments, and the Hamms rezoning and heritage preservation. Commissioner Hackney gave remarks thanking staff and fellow commissioners, calling his service “the great honor of my time in St. Paul.” The resolution passed unanimously (Commissioner Presley abstained).
• Rondo Small Area Plan Presentation: Keith Baker (Executive Director, Reconnect Rondo) and Lance Bernard (TC2 consultant) presented the plan, emphasizing its community-led process (2022–2026) and restorative development principles. Key points:
  • The plan envisions a land bridge over I-94 to reconnect the Rondo community, creating 21 acres of new land, 576 housing units, 1,000 new residents, and 110,000 square feet of development.
  • The plan addresses past harms: 700 homes and 300 businesses lost; estimated 48% home ownership loss and 61% population loss. A past prosperity study estimated $35 million in lost tax revenue (snapshot 1980) could have funded 4,800 four-year degrees at the University of Minnesota.
  • Current annual costs in Rondo: $30 million in unrealized taxes, $57 million in Medicaid spending, $22 million in preventable disease costs.
  • Financing: A “4P” model (public, private, philanthropic, people) is proposed, with the land bridge as a transportation element that can leverage federal transportation dollars.
  • Next steps: NEPA process underway; a Restorative Development Authority bill to be introduced; three innovation demonstration projects planned (including the XL Energy site).
• Commissioner Questions & Process Discussion:
  • Commissioner Riley asked about tension between the Rondo plan and the competing “boulevard” approach from Our Streets. Baker responded that Our Streets is a policy advocacy organization, not representing the most harmed, and that MnDOT considered the boulevard and did not move it forward.
  • Commissioner Tagioff asked how the land bridge is essential to achieving goals. Baker explained that the land bridge creates new land in a landlocked city and is a tool to leverage transportation funding; even without it, restorative development principles remain key.
  • Commissioner Starling raised process concerns about a nonprofit bringing a small area plan directly to the commission rather than through district councils. Staff (Tony Johnson) clarified that the plan spans two planning districts (District 8 and others), making a standalone document appropriate. Director Robinson affirmed that staff reviewed the plan for consistency with the comprehensive plan and would not bring an unaligned plan forward. Commissioner Presley (who recused herself due to her consulting role with Reconnect Rondo) noted that this follows precedent of other neighborhood plans and that engagement with district councils has occurred.
  • Commissioner Martinson asked about engagement with district councils; Baker reported 7–8 presentations to various councils, including Union Park, Summit University, and Lex-Ham.
  • Commissioner Riley and Director Robinson discussed how the plan’s restorative development principles could inform the city’s 2050 comprehensive plan, particularly around resilience (economic, social, climate).

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Release Rondo Small Area Plan for Public Review: Commissioner Thomas moved to release the draft plan for public review and set a public hearing for September 11, 2026. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Riley and passed unanimously (Commissioner Presley recused).
• Resolution of Appreciation for Commissioner Hackney: Passed unanimously (Commissioner Presley abstained).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after site plan review items were noted as none.