St. Louis Park approves zoning change for medical clinics
The St. Louis Park City Council voted to allow small medical and dental clinics in neighborhood residential areas, a decision that sparked debate about whether the city should plan comprehensively for such changes or respond to individual requests as they arise.
The council approved a zoning amendment on August 21 that permits medical and dental clinics under 2,500 square feet in three neighborhood zoning districts (N2, N3, and N4). The motion carried with one abstention. The amendment came in response to an application by Liz Hackman and Sarah Knight to open a clinic on the south side of Lake Street, near the high school and existing commercial areas like McDonald's and Texatona Mall.
The proposed change includes specific conditions to protect residential neighborhoods. Clinics would be limited in the types of medical activities they can perform—for example, hazardous waste generation would be prohibited. The amendment also requires standard development protections like parking, landscaping, and screening requirements.
However, the vote revealed a significant divide among commissioners about the city's approach to zoning changes. Council member Mia Devicha abstained, arguing the city was making "broad zoning code changes in a reactive manner" without robust planning. She questioned why the council would approve medical clinics but not other small businesses like bakeries, coffee shops, or hair salons—raising concerns about a "slippery slope." "I don't actually know if today is the day to make this decision," Devicha said.
Other commissioners disagreed. Tom Weber argued that local government works in two ways: through visionary planning and through responding to immediate needs. "There is nothing wrong with being reactionary to a specific thing in the moment," he said. Staff noted that the public hearing process allowed community members to voice concerns, and the lack of opposition suggested community acceptance of medical clinics in these areas.
The debate reflects broader questions about how St. Louis Park should update its zoning code. The city's Comprehensive Plan 2050 may provide an opportunity for more comprehensive discussions about what types of businesses belong in neighborhood areas, according to meeting discussions.
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Votes (1)
Public Hearing for a Zoning Text Amendment to Allow Medical/Dental Clinic and Office Uses in N2, N3, and N4 Zoning Districts
Dissent: Mia Devicha abstained from the vote, expressing strong disagreement with the process of making broad zoning code changes in a reactive manner without a more robust, proactive discussion.
Moved by John Flanigan [1:04:14] · Seconded by Jim Bencky [1:05:07]
The public hearing concerned an application by Liz Hackman and Sarah Knight to amend the zoning ordinance. The proposed amendment would allow medical/dental clinics and offices under 2,500 sq ft in N2, N3, and N4 districts with specific conditions, including limitations on activities like surgery and hazardous waste generation. Commissioners debated the interpretation of medical activities (e.g., X-rays), traffic impacts, and the broader policy implications of making such amendments in response to individual applications. There was a strong discussion about whether this was a 'slippery slope' and if more comprehensive planning for neighborhood commercial uses was needed, rather than reactive changes. Staff provided context on the current zoning code, previous code updates, and the legal limitations on granting variances for use types.
Notable Quotes (5)
So the intent is to add the land use medical dental clinic and office uses that are less than 2,000 square foot in a very similar manner that office districts that office uses are allowed in these districts.
are these currently existing dental practices able to do X-rays in their practices? Is that considered part of radiotherapy or not?
like why why are we okay with a medical clinic a dental clinic but not your local bakery but not the coffee shop we always dream about on the corner the hair salon these are not allowed today and I I feel like this actually and this is where like I don't actually know if today is the day to make this decision.
I'm not super worried about any kind of slippery slope. I think a codelike this I think the the gears of a local government happen in two ways and one of them is the visionary what can we foresee for a future and what should we plan for which I think we did a lot of work in but there's no way that this seven this group of seven people caught everything and then the other way you live into a local government is by reacting there there is nothing wrong with being reactionary to a specific thing in the moment.
if an applicant had come in here proposing a hair salon or a coffee shop, that would have gone out to the public to say, 'Hey, this is a proposed change to allow these and these uses.' And we would have had a public hearing where folks who either liked or disliked that would have an opportunity to voice that. And that's kind of the fact that nobody came out to say we dislike this. we don't think this is an appropriate use is the the community commenting on that this is an appropriate use in this this form right
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
The primary legislative document being amended to allow new uses in specific neighborhood districts.
The overall body of regulations governing land use, mentioned in context of recent updates (Phase One, Phase Three).
The city's long-range plan, mentioned as the basis for initial zoning code updates and a framework for future discussions.
The upcoming long-range plan, identified as a future opportunity for broader discussions on neighborhood character and commercial uses.
Neighborhood zoning districts, with the amendment focusing on N2, N3, and N4.
Mixed-Use zoning district, used as a comparison for allowed uses and development standards.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Debate on Reactive vs. Proactive Zoning Code Updates
Impact of Commercial Uses on Neighborhoods
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