Public Meetings - St Paul, Minnesota

The agenda, minutes, and raw transcript for this meeting were not provided. Therefore, no summary can be generated. Please ensure the source material is included for accurate summarization.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no specific discussion items, public comments, votes, or outcomes can be summarized. The meeting occurred on 2022-12-05 at 10:30:00+00:00, but no further details are available.

The St. Paul Planning Commission met on December 2, 2022 (note: the meeting transcript repeatedly refers to 'December 9th', creating a date discrepancy; this summary uses the date provided by the user). Chair Rango Morales convened the meeting, which included staff updates, zoning committee actions, committee reports, and recognition of retiring staff. Key actions included approval of a rezoning for a corner store at 981-983 Fuller Avenue, approval of a variance and site plan for a five-story deeply affordable senior housing development at Zero Madison Street, and a rezoning for that property. The commission also recognized long-serving Planning Commission Secretary Sonia Butler for her service. Public Comments & Testimony - Community members voiced concerns regarding the Zero Madison Street development, particularly about excavation of the bluff, tall retaining walls, alteration of the natural landscape, and the perceived profit-driven nature of the project (though the developer is a non-profit). Commissioner Riley noted that public commentary also addressed impacts on views from the St. Dennis bluff residents and safety of the bluff. Some questioned the appropriateness of multifamily housing on that site. Discussion Items - Zoning Committee Report (Commissioner Riley): - 981-983 Fuller Avenue rezoning: Property rezoned from R1 (single-family residential) to T2 (traditional neighborhood) to allow a corner store with a duplex. This second attempt succeeded with neighborhood support; District 8 and staff recommended approval. Committee recommended approval. - Zero Madison Street – Variance and Site Plan: Proposal for a five-story, 36-unit deeply affordable senior housing development with 7 structured parking spaces, located behind the Highland Chalet on a steep bluff. Variances sought for significant regrading, tall retaining walls, and trough-shaped yards. Committee discussed geotechnical reports, bluff stability, and living conditions for lower-floor residents. Conditions attached requiring coordination with DSI and Public Works. Committee voted 11-1 (Commissioner Moore opposed) to recommend approval. - Zero Madison Street – Rezoning: From R1 to RM2 (medium-density multifamily) to allow the senior housing. Committee recommended approval unanimously. Commissioner Riley noted the land was stolen from original occupants, and the lot was platted in the 1920s as buildable. - Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee (Commissioner Holst): Did not meet; next meeting December 21 to begin Phase 2 of the 1-4 Unit Housing Study (104 infill study). Commissioner Grillo noted this is one of the most impactful regulatory changes. Commissioner Canton promised treats for attendees. - Transportation Committee (Commissioner Risberg): Meeting on Monday, December 5 at 4:30 PM to discuss Front Avenue mill and overlay project with bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements. - Communications and Nominations Committee (Director Padita): Active reviewing applications for three commissioner vacancies; draft recommendations to mayor’s office. Working on 2022 annual report. Seeking additional committee members. - Task Force Liaison Reports (Commissioner Moore): Anti-displacement task force update: Community Advisory Committee met; survey launched in English, Spanish, Hmong, and other languages. Next CAC meeting in February. Commissioner Moore highlighted types of displacement (direct, indirect, cultural) and noted that disparity between African Americans and the dominant culture stood out to analysts. - Old Business – Recognition of Sonia Butler: Luis (staff) and commissioners thanked Sonia Butler, Planning Commission Secretary since 2006, for her dedicated service and contributions to PED. Key Outcomes - Approved (unanimously) rezoning of 981-983 Fuller Avenue from R1 to T2. - Approved (11-1) variance and site plan for Zero Madison Street senior housing development, subject to conditions including geotechnical reports and coordination with city departments. - Approved (unanimously) rezoning of Zero Madison Street from R1 to RM2. - Next meetings: December 21 for CNPC; December 29 for a zoning committee public hearing; transportation committee December 5. - Commissioner vacancies to be filled; Sonia Butler recognized and will depart. Additional Notes - Date discrepancy: User-provided meeting date is December 2, 2022, but transcript states December 9. This summary uses December 2 as instructed. - No agenda or minutes were available; summary based solely on transcript. - The meeting also included staff updates on hybrid meeting technology, zoning fee updates, and upcoming planning initiatives (Reconnect Rondo, Mississippi River Critical Area, T district study, River Balcony Master Plan).

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

The meeting was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2022, per the agenda; however, the provided timestamp indicates the meeting occurred on November 10, 2022. This discrepancy is noted here as no minutes or transcript are available to clarify the actual date. Discussion Items - Introductions, new committee members – 15 minutes allocated for introductions. - Fish Hatchery Trail – Bryan Murphy (Parks) presented on the trail for 20 minutes. No further details, public comments, or votes are available from the provided materials. Key Outcomes - No votes, decisions, or next steps were recorded in the available agenda. The meeting may have included routine updates and introductions, but the absence of minutes or transcript prevents confirmation.

Note: The agenda provided for this meeting is dated November 18, 2022, but the user specified the meeting date as November 4, 2022. This summary uses the specified date, with the discrepancy noted. The meeting was primarily informational, featuring a presentation from Joe Spencer of the Downtown Alliance on the Downtown Development Strategy. No formal votes or decisions were taken. Planning Director’s Announcements - Luis Pereira announced that Metro Transit is assembling work groups for the Purple Line (formerly Rush Line) station area planning. Six station group areas in Saint Paul were identified: 10th Street, 14th Street, Mount Erie; Olive, Cayuga, Payne, and Arcade; Cook and Maryland (Phalen Village area); and Larpenteur. The groups will help guide station platform locations and connections. An online application is open for interested residents and business owners. NAO Partners, involved in the anti-displacement project, will handle engagement for Metro Transit. - December Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for December 9th and possibly December 23rd, contingent on zoning committee applications. - The 2022 annual report outline will be brought to the Communications-Nominations Committee in December for review. Presentation: Downtown Development Strategy (Project Update) Joe Spencer (Downtown Alliance) presented an informational update on the downtown development strategy. Key points: - Vision: A downtown that is "alive with people" at all hours, with a mix of uses (residential, commercial, entertainment) rather than distinct districts. - Data: Using Placer AI anonymized cell phone data, evening visitors (4 p.m. to midnight) have consistently outnumbered daytime visitors (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) since 2018. As of October 2022, evening visitors are at 80% of pre-pandemic levels, while daytime visitors are at 52%. - Goals: Increase downtown population from 10,000 to 30,000 (200% growth) and jobs from 55,000 to 75,000 (36% growth) over 15–20 years. These targets exceed the citywide forecast of 30,000 new residents and 20,000 new jobs by 2040, as noted by Planning Director Luis Pereira. - Steering Committee: Co-chaired by CEOs of Securian and Ecolab, including the mayor, council members, Ramsey County Board chair, Port Authority, Chamber of Commerce, and Capital River Council. - Development Sites: Identified key public and private sites: River Center parking ramp (convention center hotel), River’s Edge site (county-owned), Central Station Metro Transit site, St. Joseph’s Hospital campus, and parking lots under Kellogg Mall Park and near the depot. - Next Steps: A consultant RFP has been issued for market, viability, economic impact, and prioritization analysis to align partners on a sequence of projects. The goal is to move from agreement on individual projects to a unified, prioritized strategy. Discussion Items on Downtown Strategy Commissioners and staff engaged in a wide-ranging discussion: - Commissioner Presley envisioned an active downtown after 5 p.m. and vibrant, connected spaces. - Commissioner Underwood emphasized connectivity, parking challenges, and the need for a downtown mobility plan. She noted the dated downtown plan (last updated 2005) and the importance of integrating transit projects like the Riverview Corridor (potential streetcar alignment on 7th Street, Kellogg, or 5th/6th). - Commissioner Mitchell raised concerns about streetscape quality: many ground-level facades are parking ramp walls or opaque glass, lacking pedestrian-friendly storefronts. She cited the need for clear glass and variety. - Commissioner Kantner asked why arts and cultural sites were not highlighted as development opportunities. Spencer responded that visitor destinations are already a strong asset, attracting about 7 million visitors annually, but acknowledged the need to continue championing the arts. - Commissioner Reilly supported riverfront development and connectivity from the Xcel Energy Center to CHS Field. He favored a pedestrianized mall or enhanced streetscape between districts. - Commissioner Hood suggested that the Riverview Corridor could include a downtown loop to improve circulation, and noted that the city needs a downtown mobility plan. - Commissioner Syed questioned the lack of alignment among the city, county, and businesses historically. Spencer attributed it to a concern about "getting in one another's lane" rather than disagreement. - Commissioner Rangel Morales noted the importance of gradually increasing density in neighborhoods adjacent to downtown (e.g., West Side Flats, Sears site) to support downtown vitality. - Commissioner Taghioff advocated for a single east-west pedestrian-friendly corridor rather than upgrading all streets, and suggested converting 5th and 6th Streets to two-way to reduce traffic speed. - Spencer responded that on-street parking can act as a barrier for pedestrians and stimulate storefronts. He also discussed signage regulations: Saint Paul’s restrictive sign code may hinder vibrancy, and he showed historical photos comparing 1926 and today to illustrate the difference. He noted that 26% of downtown housing units are affordable or public housing, a strength compared to other downtowns. Committee Reports - Zoning Committee: No business. - Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee: No meeting held. Commissioner Underwood recognized Commissioner Seanne Thomas for receiving the Alice O’Brien Award from the city council, and Commissioner Nieeta Presley for authoring a cover article in the Ramsey County Historical Society journal on "Green Book Locations in the Historic Rondo Community, 1940 to 1956." - Transportation Committee: Commissioner Hood reported that two new citizen members were welcomed (Barbara Flornoy from Frogtown and Shelby Gannon from the West Side). The committee discussed the design of the Fish Hatchery Trail reconstruction, expected completion in July 2024. The next meeting has not been scheduled. - Communications-Nominations Committee: Chair Underwood reported that the committee met earlier that morning. There are vacancies for Wards 2, 4, and 6 starting January 1, 2023. Multiple applicants were received and ranked; a slate of recommendations will be sent to the mayor for interviews. The committee also collected applications from other wards for future turnover. - Task Force/Liaison Reports: Underwood provided an update on the Riverview Area Station Area Planning Task Force. The group reviewed the segment from Davern to Montreal, focusing on opportunities for economic development and housing. The next meeting will address specific station locations. Connectivity to the Ford site and the Spur Line bike trail were noted as consistent themes. Key Outcomes - No votes or formal decisions were taken. The meeting was informational. - The Downtown Alliance will proceed with the consultant RFP to prioritize development projects and align partners. - The Planning Commission will continue to provide input on downtown strategy, zoning, and planning updates. - The Communications-Nominations Committee will finalize its recommendations for mayoral interviews regarding vacant Planning Commission seats. - The 2022 annual report will be prepared for the January 2023 meeting. - The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2022, with a possible December 23 meeting.

This meeting took place on October 28, 2022 at 10:30 AM UTC. No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided. Therefore, no summary of discussion, decisions, or public testimony can be generated. Please consult other records for information about this meeting.

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting date as October 28, 2022, but the provided timestamp is October 21, 2022. This summary uses the latter per instruction. The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. with Chair's announcements and a report from Planning Director Luis Pereira. The commission unanimously approved three zoning items, delayed a public hearing on river corridor regulations, and received updates on committee activities. Zoning Committee Actions - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 22-093-588 – 909 Selby Avenue (180 N Milton/Selby): Conversion of ground-floor commercial space to over 50% residential in a T2 district. Staff and zoning committee recommended approval. The commission approved the motion unanimously. - Nonconforming Use Reestablishment 22-102-55 – 694 Sherburne Avenue: Reestablishment of a duplex use that became nonconforming due to zoning changes. Approved unanimously. - Conditional Use Permit 22-101-953 – 315 E Cook Avenue: Supportive housing facility for up to 12 clients. The zoning committee added a condition (beyond the staff recommendation) that residents may not store vehicles on nearby streets; only staff or visitors may park there. The motion passed unanimously with that condition. Comprehensive & Neighborhood Planning Committee - The committee meeting was canceled; no report. Transportation Committee - The next scheduled meeting (October 31) was canceled; the next is November 14. Communications-Nominations Committee - Commissioner Underwood reported ongoing recruitment for open planning commission positions. The committee will meet prior to the next planning commission meeting (likely November 14). The annual report will be discussed soon. Task Force/Liaison Reports - Riverview Corridor Planning: Commissioner Underwood noted ongoing conversations about development opportunities around Davern/St. Paul Avenue and Homer/Montreal Avenue, including connections to the Ford site. No formal action was taken. Old Business – River Corridor & Floodplain Overlay Zoning Amendments (Merca Ordinance) Planning Director Pereira summarized stakeholder concerns received since the draft ordinance was released for public hearing (originally set for November 18, 2022). Key issues included: interpretation of state rules for the urban core district (downtown river bluff), compatibility with existing height districts and river corridor views, and potential impacts on key development sites (River Center ramp, Ramsey West, former jail site, and others). The Downtown Alliance requested a delay to align with its upcoming downtown investment strategy. Staff recommended rescheduling the public hearing from November 18, 2022, to January 20, 2023, to allow more review time. Commissioner Presley moved to delay; Commissioner Underwood seconded. The motion passed unanimously. New Business - Director Pereira announced that Joe Spencer, Director of the Downtown Alliance, will present at the next planning commission meeting to discuss the downtown investment strategy. - Caroline Finley, a 17-year City of Saint Paul employee, will join the planning commission as the new planning secretary, succeeding the retiring Sonja Butler. She will start in late November/December. - The November 10 zoning committee meeting was canceled due to no applications. Key Outcomes - Three zoning approvals passed unanimously (909 Selby CUP, 694 Sherburne NCU, 315 E Cook CUP with added parking condition). - Public hearing for River Corridor & Floodplain Overlay Zoning Amendments delayed from November 18, 2022, to January 20, 2023 (motion carried unanimously). - Future agenda item: Downtown Alliance presentation at the next planning commission meeting. - Staff change: Caroline Finley will assume planning secretary duties upon Sonja Butler's retirement.

Note: The instruction states the meeting took place on October 13, 2022, but the agenda provided is for Monday, October 17, 2022. No minutes or transcript are available to confirm the actual proceedings. Based solely on the agenda, the meeting was scheduled to include the following items: Discussion Items - Como Regional Park Trail Master Plan – Presented by Dave Ronzani (Parks); 30 minutes allocated. - Grand Round Nodes – Presented by Dave Ronzani (Parks); 20 minutes allocated. No public comments, votes, or decisions are recorded in the provided materials.