Public Meetings - St Paul, Minnesota

Approval of Minutes - The minutes from the August 22, 2025 meeting were approved by a voice vote with no discussion. Chair’s Announcements - Chair announced she will be absent for the next meeting and will arrange coverage. Planning Director’s Announcements - Director Newton’s last day with PED was noted; Melanie McNann will serve as interim director. Zoning Committee: 1059 Maryland Rezoning - Item: Rezone 1059 Maryland Ave from B2 (community business) to T2 (traditional neighborhood). The HRA applied to market the vacant property for development. - Committee Recommendation: Approval 5-0. - Discussion: Commissioner Riley challenged the staff report’s characterization of surrounding zoning, noting that adjacent parcels are primarily residential (single-family), not commercial. He expressed a preference for H2 zoning to allow more multi-family housing, given weak commercial demand in the area. Commissioner Ortega moved to lay the item over for two weeks to allow staff to correct the findings. The motion passed without objection. - Outcome: Item laid over for two weeks for revised findings. Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: Congregate Living Zoning Study - Presentation: Bill Dermody presented draft code amendments addressing sober houses, supportive housing, shelters, minimum separation distances, and the reasonable accommodations process. Issues identified include: state law changes (recovery residences), funding shifts affecting classification, and concerns about large unsupervised sober houses (up to 40 residents). - Proposed Amendments: - Reduce minimum separation distances from 1,320 ft to 600 ft (or 300 ft with an arterial street) for supportive housing and similar facilities. - Amend reasonable accommodations process from automatic approval to a registration system aligned with federal law. - Cap sober house residents at 10 in all districts. - Delete automatic approval language and require individual evaluations. - Discussion: Commissioners discussed the definition of “arterial,” the appropriateness of separation distances, and conditional use permit requirements for battered person shelters. Commissioner Riley raised concerns about requiring conditional use permits for protected populations and suggested tying thresholds to family definitions. Commissioner Holst noted opportunities for language updates (e.g., outdated references to “mental retardation”). - Outcome: Motion to release draft amendments for public review and set a public hearing for October 17, 2025 passed. Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: Traditional Neighborhood District (T) Zoning Study - Presentation: Spencer Miller-Johnson reported on the public hearing held in July 2025. 510 testimonies were received (46 written, 5 verbal); all but one supported the study. Key themes: support for the study, interest in rezoning more land to T, and calls to combine T1 and T2 districts. Staff did not recommend combining T1 and T2 but proposed four tweaks: update intent statements, exempt civic institutional uses from building facade continuity standards, update building materials list, and remove obsolete term “cabaret.” - Discussion: Commissioner Riley opposed exempting civic institutional uses, arguing that variances already exist for such cases and that the exemption undermines design standards. Commissioner Ortega noted that some testimony was conditional on affordability, which the city cannot guarantee. Staff clarified that the density bonus for affordable housing is tied to 60% AMI to avoid entering subsidy territory. - Outcome: Motion to recommend adoption of the text amendments to the City Council passed. Transportation Committee - No meeting held. Next meeting scheduled for September 15, 2025. The committee is seeking new members. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved. - 1059 Maryland rezoning laid over for two weeks. - Congregate Living Zoning Study: draft released for public review; public hearing set for October 17, 2025. - Traditional Neighborhood District Zoning Study: recommended to City Council for adoption.

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting took place on August 22, 2025, but the provided metadata specifies August 15, 2025. This summary uses the metadata date per instruction. The Saint Paul Planning Commission met on the above date to approve minutes, hear updates, and act on zoning and planning items. The meeting was chaired by Kristine Grill. Key actions included approving a conditional use permit for a bar, recommending approval of a master plan amendment and variances for Nova Classical Academy, and recommending approval of the Hamline Midway 2030 Neighborhood Plan. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (July 25, 2025): Motion by Commissioner Homus, seconded by Commissioner Hackney. No discussion. The minutes were approved unanimously. Planning Director’s Announcements - Director Yasmine Robinson reported on the ongoing recovery from a cyber attack since July 25, 2025. City systems (drives, internet phones) are not fully operational. Communication may be delayed. A citywide laptop inoculation with software is underway; full recovery expected in weeks. Chair’s Announcements - Chair Grill thanked commissioners for patience during her absence (backpacking and illness). - Under new business, Chair Grill announced she will be out from approximately September 17-30 for her wedding. Discussion Items Zoning Committee: 25-053-864 Cups and Cheers CUP - Conditional use permit for a bar with more than 5,000 sq. ft. at 1624-1626 White Bear Ave N. The establishment is extending hours to 2 a.m., recategorizing it from restaurant to bar. No physical changes. The District Council recommended approval. Zoning Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. The commission adopted the resolution approving the conditional use permit with a motion, seconded, and passed on a voice vote with no opposition. Zoning Committee: 25-054-206 Nova Classical Academy Addition - Application to amend the Victoria Park Master Plan, change parcel designation from fixed residential to institutional, and request variances for FAR, door/window openings, front yard setback, parking lot frontage, and interior landscaping. The project is a new building with storm shelter and curriculum space. The District Council submitted a letter of opposition. Zoning Committee voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the master plan amendment and variances as a package. - Commissioner Riley abstained, expressing concern about removing residential land use but supporting the variance rationale. Commissioner Martinson questioned whether the commission was overriding local neighborhood plans and asked about committee deliberation. Commissioner Hackney noted the site constraints (brownfield remediation cap) limit residential viability. Commissioner Shannon and Commissioner Syed stated the proposal meets the findings. Chair Grill commented the site is a difficult plot and the applicant is a good neighbor. The commission voted: all in favor except Commissioner Riley and Commissioner Homus (abstentions). The item passed. Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: Hamline Midway 2030 Neighborhood Plan - The committee had previously reviewed the plan. No public input at the hearing. Staff presented and there were no questions. The committee recommended approval to the full commission. Motion by Commissioner Homus, seconded by Commissioner Martinson. No discussion. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the City Council. Transportation Committee: Robert Street Reconstruction - Committee chair reported on a presentation from Chris Powers (MnDOT) about the Robert Street reconstruction project (Kellogg Blvd to Annapolis St). Project cost $49 million, includes G Line BRT stops, sewer/water replacements, separated bikeways, safety improvements, roundabout. The committee approved a resolution granting municipal consent to MnDOT, which will go to the City Council. No formal vote by the full commission; the committee’s recommendation is direct. Key Outcomes - Approved: Conditional use permit for Cups and Cheers (unanimous voice vote). - Approved: Nova Classical Academy master plan amendment and variances (passed with two abstentions: Commissioners Riley and Homus). - Recommended to City Council: Hamline Midway 2030 Neighborhood Plan (unanimous). - Transportation Committee: Resolution on Robert Street reconstruction approved and forwarded to City Council. - Next Steps: Zoning Committee will meet next Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee will hold an additional meeting on August 27 to continue discussion on the congregate living zoning study. - Administrative: Commissioner Riley will leave the Transportation Committee due to schedule conflicts; a replacement will be found.

The Transportation Committee of the Planning Commission convened on August 12, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Room 42 at the City Hall Conference Center. The sole agenda item was a presentation on the Robert Street Reconstruction project by Chris Bower of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). No minutes or transcript were available for this meeting; the agenda indicates no other discussion, public comments, or votes were recorded.

No meeting occurred on July 30, 2025, based on available records. The only agenda provided is for an August 8, 2025 meeting that was canceled. No minutes or transcript exist for the July 30 date. No public comments, discussion, or votes were recorded.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no discussion items, public comments, or decisions can be summarized.

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.

Note: The agenda and transcript reference July 11, 2025, but the provided timestamp dictates the meeting date as July 3, 2025. The St. Paul Planning Commission met on July 3, 2025, to approve minutes, consider three conditional use permits, receive committee reports, hold a public hearing on the Traditional Neighborhood District (T District) Zoning Study, and discuss new business. All votes were unanimous. Public Comments & Testimony - Public Hearing on T District Zoning Study: Six speakers testified, all expressing strong support for the proposed zoning text amendments and calling for further expansion of T districts. - Luke (Sustained St. Paul, 1423 Elinor Avenue) supported the technical changes (height limits, dimensional standards, simplified design standards) and urged a subsequent study to expand T districts, consolidate business districts, rezone arterial streets, and legalize small-scale commercial uses in residential districts. - Gail Hansen (2023 Portland) requested that density bonuses in T zones be tied to affordability and that the same rules apply to RL1, H1, and H2 districts, and that the student housing overlay be updated. - Jacob Hooper (renter, 1020 Cobio Avenue) echoed support for the changes and wanted T districts expanded citywide. - Michelle Molstead (Ward 1 renter, Sustained St. Paul, 702 Holly Avenue) supported the study and amendments. - Cody Fisher (1017 Ashland Avenue) supported the proposals and called for a broader study to promote housing abundance and climate resilience. Discussion Items - Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the May 30, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously. - Zoning Committee Items: Three conditional use permits were presented and approved unanimously: 1. Venue 1944 Rental Hall CUP (839 University Ave W): Reception/rental hall; no controversy; recommended approval. 2. 2284 7th Street W CUP (2284 7th St W): Conversion of ground-floor commercial to more than 50% residential; approved with conditions. 3. 1190 James CUP (1190 James Ave): Reuse of a large structure for a wellness club (main floor and side lot) with owner-occupied residence above; capacity limited to 16 people; concerns about parking addressed; approved unanimously. - Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: - Energy Park Commercial Development District Expansion: The committee reviewed the proposed expansion for comprehensive plan compliance and found it conforms; the full commission voted to recommend approval. - Public Hearing on T District Zoning Study: Held as described above; public hearing closed. - Transportation Committee: Report given; next meeting scheduled for July 21, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. - New Business: The 2026 Budget Process and Engagement presentation from the Mayor’s Office was deferred to a future meeting due to efficiency. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved: Unanimous. - All three conditional use permits approved: Unanimous (no abstentions). - Energy Park expansion: Recommended for approval as conforming to the comprehensive plan. - Public hearing closed: Record remains open for written testimony until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025. - Future study suggested: Commissioner Riley proposed a motion to support an additional study on expanding T districts, but it was deferred to the Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee for further discussion. - Budget presentation deferred: The 2026 budget item will appear on a future agenda.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no summary of discussions or decisions can be generated.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no summary can be generated.