North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Zoning Code Definitions Review and Amendment
Mixed-Use Zoning Districts Consistency Review
Downtown Design Manual Update Strategy
Planning Commission Work Plan Progress
Council Liaison and Commissioner Reports
Votes (3)
Review of Zoning Code Definitions (Townhouses, Duplex, Twin Homes)
Dissent: None
The discussion centered on proposed amendments to definitions for dwelling single-family, dwelling townhouse, dwelling two-family, and dwelling multiple family. Staff proposed adding language for clarity, such as 'occupied by one family for living purposes' for single-family dwellings and requirements for separate building service utilities for townhouses. The distinction between twin homes (separate lots) and duplexes (single parcel) was clarified. Commissioners questioned redundancy in 'occupied for living purposes' but agreed on consistency with state statute. The value of clear definitions, given past discussions, was emphasized.
Review of Mixed-Use Zoning Districts for Consistency
Dissent: None
Staff presented a review of Sections 154.07 and 154.08 of the zoning code, comparing them against the Downtown Design Manual and Comprehensive Plan. Proposed changes included updating district terminology (e.g., 'corridor highway' to 'corridor mixed-use') and adding comprehensive plan language to the MU1 (Downtown Mixed-Use) district, such as 'superior' and encouraging development that maintains heritage. A major point of discussion was the potential to allow multi-family residential in the MU2 (Mixed-Use) district. Commissioners generally favored allowing it, with a strong leaning towards requiring a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow for negotiated terms, flexibility in setbacks and heights, and site-specific review, rather than making it a permitted use. A commissioner also suggested removing the word 'intensification' from the MU3 (Corridor Mixed-Use) district description to avoid public pushback regarding traffic concerns. Another suggestion was to alphabetize lists of permitted uses for easier navigation.
Downtown Design Manual Update
Dissent: None
The commission discussed the necessity and approach for updating the Downtown Design Manual. It was confirmed that the manual is still valuable but needs updates to its content and potentially its format. Staff proposed an internal approach, utilizing the city's communications person, Ava, who has publishing software capabilities, to handle the text updates and layout. This internal method was presented as a way to save money and ensure future editability compared to hiring an external consultant. Commissioners expressed strong support for the internal approach, emphasizing the importance of creating an easily editable document for future staff.
Notable Quotes (9)
for a dwelling single family I'm proposing to add in at the end occupied by one family for living purposes would seem maybe not necessary but that's a clarifying point.
I just feel like you know it's occupied regardless of whether it's being used for a a business or a residence. So you're thinking splitting hairs. It feel it right and it feels seems redundant. Sort of redundant. Sort of. That's that's all I'm saying. It just seems seems redundant.
Will they make it clearer and better? Sure. This is one of these projects. If I had six other things to do, this wouldn't be one of them. But it was a good time. Yeah. It's good to have solid definitions because words. I haven't been very on here very long and we've had the discussion about these definitions a few times. Yeah.
Yeah. I was wondering if there is a definition. Superior seems like an awfully nebulous word.
Well, the one the one thing with PED is you get flexibility on say setbacks, building heights, those kind of things. That may be to the advantage of the developer or to the advantage to the city, right? Well, let's say the developer wants to go four stories, but the city says, 'Well, that's fine, but now you have to increase your setbacks.'
I would say I would say then if it gives us more versatility I would say let's go for the PUD.
on D, I really wonder if we should strike the small portion where it says intensification of existing commercial centers. Uh, not that we don't want to do that. ... I just think that unfortunately anytime that we talk about intensification of a use that gives some people the reason to get their knickers in a twist about the amount of extra traffic and that type of thing that it's going to generate. And I think we can still be aiming for that without necessarily using the word intensification in that sentence.
Or my second point there is if the layout and organization is generally sufficient for the city to use and if the planning commission thinks so then have staff tackle the text updates the words uh and then we'll figure out what photos should be there or Not.
And if we already have that ability on staff, then I would say let's keep it in house. And if we need to, I would even propose that we suggest or allow for the purchase of software that might that the city may not have now that would allow that to more easily happen, you know, for it to be constructed in such a way that it could be easily changed internally for the future.
Ordinances & Resolutions (24)
General reference to state legal frameworks, particularly concerning building codes and dwelling definitions.
General reference to state and local building regulations.
A specific residential zoning district, intent being checked for dwelling definitions.
A specific residential zoning district, intent being checked for dwelling definitions.
The city's comprehensive zoning regulations, undergoing review and proposed amendments.
Reference to meeting materials containing existing zoning definitions.
State-level legal documents referenced for specific wording in dwelling definitions.
State-level regulations for construction, referenced for dwelling unit requirements.
Specific section of the zoning code related to mixed-use zoning district language.
Specific section of the zoning code related to mixed-use zoning district language.
A city document guiding development and design in the downtown area, being reviewed for consistency with zoning and proposed for an update.
The city's long-range planning document, referenced for goals and policies, specifically the 2040 plan.
Reference to meeting materials containing sections of the comprehensive plan.
Reference to meeting materials containing downtown goals and policies from the comprehensive plan.
Visual representation of city zoning districts, used to identify MU2 areas.
A type of development approval that allows for greater flexibility in design and zoning requirements through negotiation, proposed for multi-family residential in MU2.
An older memo outlining options for updating the manual, including public input.
A packet of information from the Metropolitan Council outlining regional growth projections and infrastructure requirements for the city.
The city's updated comprehensive plan, to be aligned with the Met Council system statement.
A financial and planning document outlining capital projects, scheduled for review.
A city program offering financial assistance for exterior building improvements.
A school expansion project recently approved by the city council.
Amendments to the zoning code related to property encroachments and setback requirements, recently approved by the city council.
A new ordinance governing the division of land, recently approved by the city council.