Zoning Studies
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Background
The Saint Paul Planning Commission initiated the Minor Zoning Code Amendments Study to clean up small errors and remove references to old regulations.Summary of Amendments
The proposed minor amendment changes are as follows:
- Fence rules that are in line with the 1-4 Unit Housing Study amendments
- Removal of references to zoning districts that were eliminated
- Removal of the term “townhouses” because they fall under the classification of multi-family
- Removal of the word “special” from rules for conditions of approval, because it is no longer a standard term in the City’s Zoning Code
- Removal of a section of text from the Travel Demand Management (TDM) plan applicability rules that was mistakenly published
- Removal of references to parking minimums
- Clarification of the recent electric vehicle parking requirements
- Various typos
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Minor Zoning Code Amendments Study on:
Friday April 18, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
Room 40 City Hall (Basement)
15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102The draft amendments can be viewed here.
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Saint Paul’s Zoning Code controls how much housing can be built in certain parts of the City. These requirements make it difficult to build enough new housing to fix Saint Paul’s current housing shortage. City Council Resolution 18-1204 and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan call for studying ways to allow more housing in all areas of the City.
The 1-4 Unit Housing Study has two phases. Phase 1 of the study focused on small housing, accessory dwelling units, and parcels that are smaller or larger than normal; these amendments were adopted by the City Council on January 19, 2022 in City Council Ordinance 22-1 and go into effect March 5, 2022. Phase 2, the broader and more in-depth study, has been receiving technical analysis from housing, development, and financial experts, and is entering a stage of intentional public engagement around zoning and housing. This page will be updated with more details as they are available.
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The Saint Paul City Council held a public hearing on the Drive Throughs Zoning Study, on Wednesday November 13, 2024 and laid the item over to their September 3, 2025 meeting. Please see the Planning Commission's recommendation, a background memo to the Planning Commission, a map of existing drive throughs, and a matrix of existing drive throughs.
Questions to Bill.Dermody@stpaul.gov or 651-266-6617.
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The Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) was designated by Governor’s Executive Order in the 1970's to provide coordinated land planning and regulation for the 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River through the seven-county metropolitan area.
Governor’s Executive Order 79-19 required local units of government to adopt local plans and regulations for the MRCCA based on standards and guidelines it provided to preserve and enhance the natural, aesthetic, economic, recreational, cultural and historical values of the corridor, including providing for continuation and development of a variety of urban uses where appropriate and protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
The draft local ordinance would replace the existing River Corridor Overlay Districts chapter of the Saint Paul Zoning Code and move the newer, 2010-era floodplain management ordinance based on FEMA flood insurance requirements back into the Zoning Code.
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The City of Saint Paul is working on a Zoning Study to consider Zoning Code text changes to the East Grand Avenue Overlay District in response to policy direction in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the new Summit Hill/District 16 Neighborhood Plan, which is currently in progress. The Zoning Study includes technical analyses completed by Planning and Economic Development staff as well as an Advisory Committee led by a consultant.
Major Redevelopments
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The Ford Site is 135 acres of land along the Mississippi River and the former home of Ford Motor Companies' Twin Cities Assembly Plant. After closure, the City of Saint Paul and multiple partners spent a decade engaging with the community, studying environmental impacts, and approving a final plan for the site's redevelopment. Ryan Companies, as master developer of the site, is executing the City's plan of a new connected, livable, mixed-use neighborhood with clean technologies and high-quality design for energy, buildings, and infrastructure. It will be woven into the existing community; support walking, biking, and transit; and provide services, jobs, and activities that every generation can enjoy.
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The Hillcrest Master Plan will determine future land uses and a new street network for the 112-acre former golf course on Saint Paul’s East Side. In 2019, the Saint Paul City Council approved bonds for the Saint Paul Port Authority to purchase the site. The Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) has led the master plan process, in collaboration with community members, consultants, and the Port Authority. Community engagement throughout the process has outlined how to build opportunity and community wealth on the redeveloped Hillcrest site – bringing more housing, jobs, and public amenities.
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Minnesota United FC, a North American Soccer League team, constructed a 20,000 seat major league soccer (MLS) stadium at I-94 and Snelling Avenue, as part of a planned and coordinated redevelopment of the entire 34.5 acre site that also includes the Midway Shopping Center (property owned by private landowner RK Midway). The goal is to create a new urban village surrounding the stadium that includes retail, office, residential and public open space uses, recognizing that this development will take place in phases over time.
