Public Meetings - St Paul, Minnesota

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for the meeting scheduled on December 13, 2024 at 14:30 UTC. Therefore, no detailed summary of discussions, decisions, or public testimony can be generated.

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

The meeting took place on December 10, 2024. No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no discussion items, public comments, consent calendar items, or decisions can be summarized. Please refer to official city records for further details.

The Transportation Committee of the Planning Commission met on November 26, 2024. Note: The published agenda indicates the meeting was scheduled for November 18, 2024, 4:30–6:00 p.m. No transcript or minutes were provided for this meeting, so this summary is based solely on the agenda. Agenda Items - Safe Streets for All Federal Grant & MnDOT Matching Grant – David Peterson (Public Works). No further details available. - Capital City Bikeway Kellogg Boulevard Phase 2 – Anna Potter (Public Works). No further details available. - Downtown Mobility Plan – Anna Potter (Public Works). No further details available. Key Outcomes No decisions, votes, or directives are recorded due to the absence of minutes or transcript documentation.

The St. Paul Planning Commission held its final meeting of 2024 on December 13, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The commission approved minutes from the November 15 meeting, received chair and director announcements, and addressed several zoning items, including a contentious review of a conditional use permit for the University of St. Thomas, a nonconforming use reestablishment, and two Macalester College proposals. A key vote on the St. Thomas driveway condition passed 7–6 (with one abstention), and the remaining zoning items were approved unanimously. Approval of Minutes - The minutes from the November 15, 2024 Planning Commission meeting were approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Holtz, seconded by Commissioner Syed). Chair and Director Announcements - Chair Kristine Grill thanked commissioners for their work during the year, noting challenging and contentious cases. - Planning Director Yasmine Robinson echoed the thanks, highlighted the importance of the commission’s work, and announced that the next Planning Commission meeting would be on January 10, 2025. The 2025 calendar had been distributed. Discussion Items University of St. Thomas – Review of CUP (Condition 16 – Goodrich Avenue Access Drive) - Background: The University of St. Thomas held a 2004 conditional use permit with condition 16 requiring removal of a loading drive between Goodrich Avenue and the BINS Refectory upon remodeling of BINS or Grace Hall. A 2024 remodeling of BINS triggered the condition, but the driveway was not removed. The Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) issued a violation notice, which was not appealed. - Zoning Committee Recommendation: The committee recommended modifying condition 16 to allow the driveway to remain for limited uses (deliveries, maintenance, emergency vehicles) and permit current use for up to two years during construction of a multipurpose arena. The committee voted 2–2 (with one abstention) to advance this recommendation. - Commission Debate: Several commissioners expressed concerns. Commissioner Taghioff argued that the original settlement intent was to remove the driveway upon major reinvestment, which is now occurring with the arena construction. Commissioner Ortega questioned the university’s compliance history. Commissioner Riley noted that the driveway is not connected to internal circulation and that emergency access can be provided elsewhere. Commissioner Starling supported the original condition, calling it necessary and reasonable. Commissioner Martinson supported the committee’s modified version. - First Vote: The committee’s recommendation failed on a roll call vote (Commissioners Risberg, Ochoa, Holtz, Holmes, Johnson Becker, Kadar, Ortega, Riley, Taghioff voted no; Martinson, Starling, Syed voted yes; Hood abstained; tally: 3 yes, 9 no, 1 abstain). - New Motion: Commissioner Taghioff moved to retain the original condition 16 as written, with the effect that the driveway must be removed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Risberg. The commission discussed findings and legal basis under zoning code §61.108, concluding that the condition is necessary, reasonable, and possible. - Second Vote: The motion to retain the original condition passed 7–6 (with one abstention). Commissioners in favor: Risberg, Holtz, Hood, Holmes, Johnson Becker, Kadar, Ortega, Riley, Thomas? (The transcript shows “yay seven” but the roll call list is inconsistent; the final count was 7 in favor, 6 opposed, 1 abstention, based on the Chair’s announcement.) - Outcome: DSI will enforce removal of the driveway and report back to the commission on the timeline. 637-639 Ohio Street – Reestablishment of Nonconforming Use (Dance Studio) - The property, a former church, had been used as a dance studio for 20 years but was vacant for about a year due to a change in ownership and COVID-19. The applicant sought to reestablish the nonconforming use. The zoning committee unanimously recommended approval. - The commission approved the motion unanimously by voice vote. Macalester College – Rezoning (T2 to RM1 & VP) and CUP (Campus Boundary Expansion and Setback Modification) - Rezoning: To allow construction of a student welcome center and coffee shop on the north side of Grand Avenue, the college proposed rezoning parcels from T2 (traditional neighborhood) to RM1 (multiple family) and VP (vehicle parking). The VP lot would replace parking lost to construction and serve adjacent businesses. The zoning committee unanimously recommended approval. - CUP: The college sought to expand the campus boundary to include the rezoned parcels and to modify front yard setbacks along Grand Avenue from 50 feet to 0–10 feet. - Discussion: Commissioner Riley asked about deconstruction of three houses on the VP site. The college indicated they would salvage materials. Commissioner Ortega noted the houses are already owned by the college and used as offices. The committee’s recommendations were adopted. - Votes: Both the rezoning and the CUP passed unanimously by voice vote. Committee Reports - Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: No meeting held; no report. - Transportation Committee (Commissioner Risberg): Reported on three items (Safe Streets for All grant, Capital City Bikeway Phase 2, Downtown Mobility Plan). Next meeting scheduled for January 13, 2025. - Communications-Nomination Committee: No meeting held; officers election expected in January. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved unanimously. - University of St. Thomas CUP: Original condition 16 retained; driveway must be removed. DSI to enforce and report back. Vote: 7–6–1. - 637-639 Ohio Street dance studio reestablishment approved unanimously. - Macalester College rezoning approved unanimously. - Macalester College CUP approved unanimously. - No old or new business. Meeting adjourned.

The Transportation Committee of the Planning Commission met on November 12, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. (agenda lists November 18, 2024, creating a discrepancy with the provided meeting date). The only agenda item was a presentation on the Rondo Streets Study by David Peterson and Jeannette Rebar of Public Works. No minutes or transcript are available; therefore, no discussion, public testimony, or decisions can be summarized from this meeting.

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

Date Note: The agenda and raw transcription indicate this meeting occurred on November 15, 2024; however, the user-provided date is October 17, 2024. This summary uses the assigned date and notes the discrepancy. The Planning Commission convened to approve previous minutes, act on two zoning items from the Zoning Committee, receive status updates from committees and staff, and conduct a discussion on training topics for 2025. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes from September 27, 2024: Motion by Commissioner Thomas, second by Commissioner Holtz. Passed unanimously without discussion. Planning Director’s Announcements - Drive‑throughs Zoning Text Amendment: City Council laid over the decision until September 2025 to coordinate with a forthcoming T district study. - 470 White Bear Avenue Rezoning: Laid over to December 4, 2024. - New Web Pages: Updated Planning Commission and Zoning Committee web pages have been launched, with FAQs and reorganized content to better serve the public. Zoning Committee – Discussion Items 97 Oxford Street North – Conditional Use Permit (24-084-295) Proposal to increase the number of residents at a sober house from 24 to 34. The Zoning Committee voted 3‑1 to recommend approval. The full Planning Commission approved without further discussion. 10 River Park Plaza – Master Plan Amendment (24-082-486) Amendment to the West Side Flats Comprehensive Plan addendum, changing the land use designation on 2.9 acres from mixed residential to office/light industrial. - Process Concerns: Commissioner Ortega questioned why the West Side Citizens Organization (West Co) was not included earlier and felt the process deviated from past practice. - Staff Response: Staff explained that because the West Side Flats Master Plan is an addendum to the comprehensive plan, the amendment must go through the Planning Commission; normally such a small change would be handled administratively. The application was noticed for 30 days (longer than typical zoning), and future public hearings will occur at City Council and potentially before the Metropolitan Council. The adjacent foundry creates a land‑use conflict with the current residential designation, and the change provides a buffer between industrial and residential uses. - Other Commissioner Views: Commissioner Hood noted additional hearing opportunities; Commissioner Reilly said the process was an improvement but needed clearer communication to the public. - Vote: The motion passed, with Commissioner Tagan opposed. 286 Marshall Avenue – Conditional Use Permit A proposal for 35 units of supportive/sober housing was laid over to the next Zoning Committee meeting to allow continued dialog between the applicant and neighbors. The committee heard public testimony at its previous meeting. Committee Reports - Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: Did not meet. Next meeting scheduled for a future date (reported as "a week from Monday" according to the November 15 transcript). - Transportation Committee: Did not meet. According to the November 15 agenda, the next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2024. - Communications‑Nomination Committee: Did not meet. - Task Force/Liaison Reports: None. New Business – 2025 Training Topics Planning Director Yasmine Robinson led an open discussion to identify topics for commissioner training in 2025. Commissioners suggested the following: - Parliamentary procedure training. - Clarification of the commission’s legal powers and the scope of its authority. - A high‑level flowchart showing the planning process from the City Comprehensive Plan through PED, committees, and decisions. - Improved orientation for new members, including a digital handbook, a SharePoint site, and a "buddy" system. - Relationship mapping with other bodies: Board of Zoning Appeals, Heritage Preservation Commission, Port Authority, Capital Area Planning Board, and the Recovery Act Reparations Commission. - Deeper policy sessions on housing, industrial land preservation, and the city’s anti‑displacement work. - A shared resource list (books, documentaries, TPT shows) and staff picks. Director Robinson will prioritize and build a training program based on input and anticipated upcoming work. Key Outcomes - ✅ Minutes approved unanimously. - ✅ 97 Oxford Street CUP approved. - ✅ 10 River Park Plaza Master Plan Amendment approved with one opposed (Commissioner Tagan). - 🔄 286 Marshall CUP continued to next Zoning Committee meeting. - 📝 Training topics gathered; staff will develop a program for 2025. Note on Dates: All timeline references in committee reports stem from the November 15, 2024 agenda/transcript. The meeting date assigned for this summary is October 17, 2024.

This meeting was originally scheduled for October 25, 2024, but was canceled according to the provided agenda. The raw transcription is empty and no minutes are available. The user-specified date of October 11, 2024 does not match the agenda date. Therefore, no proceedings took place on the stated date. Consent Calendar - No items were considered because the meeting was canceled. Public Comments & Testimony - None. Discussion Items - None. Key Outcomes - No decisions or votes occurred. The meeting did not convene.