6:00pm (unofficial) meeting starts
6:15pm: Introductions, welcome members of the public
Luke Hanson, Sustain Saint Paul, attended as a member of the public.
6:20pm: Review & approve April - September 2022 meeting minutes, October 2022 agenda
Meeting minutes were not approved due to lack of a quorum. Several months’ minutes will need to be approved at the January 2023 in-person meeting.
6:35pm: Single family zoning invited speaker(s)
Emma Siegworth and Luis Pereira of the City’s Department of Planning and Economic Development presented on the City’s 1-4 unit housing study, conducted under Council Resolution 18-204. The factors driving the study are low rental vacancies, a high proportion of cost-burdened households, and high expected growth in the number of Saint Paul households by 2030. Current zoning in St. Paul is 70% single-family, 14% single/duplex and only 11% two- to four-unit housing (the “missing middle”). The study is evaluating potential zoning code amendments to allow more 2, 3 and 4-plexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which would increase overall housing density in support of the transit-supportive density goals of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Environmental benefits of denser housing would include lower heat loss, stormwater management, lower transportation emissions, etc. The proposed zoning changes could create more rental housing, more flexibility for multigenerational households, and cluster arrangements for homeless housing. It would also address historic racism: the earlier mix of single and multi-family housing rezoned to single-family as a tool of racial exclusion after racial covenants became illegal.
Members asked whether the zoning changes could also work to make buildings solar-ready, as well as ready for networked geothermal (an alternative to natural gas for heating).
Luke Hanson presented on Sustain Saint Paul (SSP), an organization whose mission is abundant housing, low-carbon transportation, and sustainable land use. SSP seeks to make it easy to live safely and conveniently without a car while providing the tax base to sustain necessary services in St. Paul. The organization originated in the context of the Highland Bridge development, in response to opposition around traffic in spite of a housing shortage, and is now also involved in the discussions around The Heights (formerly Hillcrest). SSP seeks to promote higher density housing, walkable neighborhoods, eliminate minimum parking requirements, promote energy efficient housing, and reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled by creating alternatives to car ownership (walking, biking, public transit). All of these require denser housing. Current zoning requirements actually make denser housing more difficult, e.g. a 25’ minimum setback, caps on buildable area on a lot, prohibitions on more than one dwelling per lot, etc. These have implications for climate justice because they lead to higher emissions, heat islands, low canopy cover, and housing shortages. SSP is pushing for zoning changes that would allow up to 4 units per lot. Current examples include 4 tiny houses near DeGidio’s Restaurant for homeless veterans, and the Rice Street Gardens affordable housing development centered around a land trust.
In 2023 there will be specific options and proposals brought forward by City staff for consideration, and CJAB could weigh in with specific comments/feedback at that time if desired.
7:35pm: City & Reconnect Rondo joint grant Reconnecting Communities application
Russ Stark reported on a joint funding application by the City and Reconnect Rondo to the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a vision and plan for an African-American Cultural and Enterprise District, including a land bridge, in Rondo. This is in the context of the broader conversation around the future of I-94 and MnDOT’s study of alternatives, which CJAB will be taking up in future meetings. Different alternatives will have different implications for traffic and pollution in the Rondo area.
Members asked if there are other examples of freeway capping and/or removal. Russ mentioned San Francisco’s Embarcadero and Detroit.
7:45pm: Updates
-
From city staff
None
-
From the Executive Committee
Dominique Diaddigo-Cash has been nominated as a potential co-chair, replacing Melissa Wenzel, and Alice Wagner-Hemstad as a youth representative, replacing Adri Arquin, on the executive committee. Both members have interest, but cannot be officially approved until there is an in-person meeting with a quorum.
There are additional Board vacancies for 1 youth member and 2 additional open slots.
-
From Board Members
None
8pm Adjourn