The existing District Council system of Saint Paul was established in the late 1970s to facilitate effective, informed, and representative community participation in local governance issues. Numerous residents of South Como, the portion of District 6 west of Dale Street, expressed their desire to be included in District 10 over the course of a number of years. At the request of Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, City planning staff conducted a study of the boundary between Districts 6 and 10. That report can be found here. 

A public meeting was held on January 9th, 2012, and public testimony was accepted through Open Saint Paul and in the form of letters and emails to the City. After this meeting, District Council 6 and District Council 10 both wrote letters of support for a boundary change. Following these letters, City staff made a recommendation to the City Council to change the Planning District boundaries. On March 20, 2013, the City Council passed a resolution changing this boundary to include South Como in District 10, to be effective on January 1, 2014. For more information, please contact Michelle Beaulieu at or 651-266-6620.

The City Council recently adopted amendments to Chapter 62 of the City's Zoning Code, which deals with nonconforming lots, uses, and structures, and sections in Chapter 64 dealing with nonconforming signs. The amendments make Saint Paul's zoning code consistent with Minnesota Statutes Sec. 462.357 Subd. 1e as amended by the State Legislature in 2004 and 2005. The amendments also clarify and simplify the language to make the ordinance easier to interpret and enforce. The City Council adopted the amendments to Chapter 62 as Ordinance 12-71, which was effective on January 19, 2013. The amendments to Chapter 64 were adopted as Ordinance 12-77 and became effective on February 9, 2013.

Copies of these ordinances are available online using these links: Ord 12-71 and Ord 12-77.

Between 2011 and 2012, the Riverview Economic Development Association (REDA) lead a small area planning effort for the District del Sol Commercial Corridor. Planning efforts are focused on revitalization of the Robert Street and Cesar Chavez Street intersection. The City Council approved the plan, pending Metropolitan Council approval, on February 6, 2013.

District del Sol Small Area Plan

For more information contact Kate Reilly, City Planner, at 651-266-6618 or

On October 19, 2012, the Planning Commission completed its review of the Great River Passage Master Plan as an addendum to the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan. The resolution is here. The Commission recommended some minor text changes to the document and, with these changes, found the Addendum consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and recommended adoption of the Addendum by the Saint Paul City Council. A summary of public testimony is here and written testimony is here. See also the draft Great River Passage Master Plan, Proposed Addendum to Saint Paul's Comprehensive Plan (the changes recommended by the Commission will be made once the City Council adopts the document).

For more information contact Lucy Thompson, Principal City Planner, at or 651-266-6578.

The Saint Paul Planning Commission initiated the Near East Side Task Force in late 2010.  The Task Force met from March 2011 through February 2012, focusing is on commercial-industrial redevelopment, commercial vitality, and community building, and developed a work plan entitled the Near East Side Roadmap. The City Council approved the Roadmap and related zoning study on September 26, 2012.

The Greater Lowertown Master Plan (adopted April 18, 2012) was the result of a year-long process led by the Greater Lowertown Master Plan Task Force, which raised nearly $200,000 to hire a consultant team to work with community members on a vision for the future of Lowertown.  For information on the task force, see: www.visionlowertown.com.  

For more information, please call Lucy Thompson, Principal City Planner, at 651.266.6578. 

The District 6 Plan focuses on three issues: Resolving the conflicts between housing and industrial businesses in the industrial area southeast of the Como/Front/Dale intersection; possible improvements so the Como/Front/Dale intersection functions better and is more attractive; and focusing on the policies in previously adopted District 6 plans that have yet to be implemented.

Work on the zoning study was completed in March 2012, and staff have prepared a report and recommendations, including a draft ordinance that would restrict conversion of one- and two- dwellings (single family homes and duplexes) to student housing in certain areas. Following a public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to forward the study and draft Student Housing Neighborhood Impact Overlay District ordinance on to the City Council, with a recommendation that the ordinance not be adopted. The City Council held a public hearing on June 20, 2012, and the following week voted to adopt the ordinance, which went into effect in August 2012.

For more information on the ordinance or to register a student rental property, click here.

In November, the City Council approved the Lower Afton Station Area plan. The purpose is to plan for an improved park and ride facility to accommodate expanded bus service that may transition to commuter rail in the Red Rock Corridor.

The plan addresses an area approximately 1/4 mile around the proposed future commuter rail station. Topics include multi-modal transportation access, platform location, and cultural, historical, and environmental context. Long-term concepts include a low-profile 275-stall parking facility located north of Lower Afton Road, and a pedestrian bridge over Highway 61 to the rail platform. The plan also calls for restoring and enhancing green space, as well as connecting to local and regional trails and parks.

On June 16, 2010, the Saint Paul City Council approved comprehensive amendments to Saint Paul’s off-street parking requirements.  On May 23, 2012, the Council followed with amendments to off-street parking requirements for establishments serving wine, beer or liquor, or with an entertainment license.  Information on both studies and the amendments are available here.

The City of Saint Paul’s Official Zoning Map has transitioned from a paper format to an electronic-based (geographic information systems, or GIS) map. The new zoning map replaces the previous black and white map panel format. The new map is available in pdf format in color and black and white, and an interactive version is available on the City's GISmo page.

A detailed report to the Planning Commission was included in the May 21, 2010 Planning Commission packet.

Approving the new GIS-based zoning map required an amendment to the City's zoning code.  The new GIS zoning maps became the official zoning map on January 5, 2011.

 For questions or comments please contact Anton Jerve via email or at 651-266-6567.

Older Activities