North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Thursday, October 1, 2026
North St. Paul Community Center Property Platting
Sign Ordinance Text Amendments
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (Permits, Walls, Driveways, Accessory Buildings)
Student Built Homes and Property Acquisition
Votes (3)
Public Hearing: Community Center Addition Preliminary Plat
Dissent: None
Moved by Mark Cachini [0:37:34] · Seconded by Alvarez [0:37:37]
The existing Community Center site comprises five properties with irregular lines, some cutting through buildings and parking areas, and street right-of-way issues. A survey highlighted these due to a potential buyer. The proposed plat reduces five lots to three, dedicating one large lot for the Community Center (1.39 acres) and two smaller lots retained by the city. It also dedicates new right-of-way along Sephila Boulevard and includes new utility easements. Although two proposed lots are under the 35,000 sq ft minimum, staff argues it improves a non-conforming situation. The buyer desires the parking lot with the building, and existing shared parking agreements will remain. The council will review both preliminary and final plats simultaneously.
Public Hearing: Sign Ordinance Text Amendments
Dissent: None
Moved by Mark Cachini [0:40:22] · Seconded by Sorrow [0:40:29]
Staff identified deficiencies in the sign ordinance concerning wall sign protrusion limits and the absence of duration limits for temporary signs. An ordinance was drafted to address these, but subsequent public comments raised new concerns. To properly incorporate this feedback, staff recommended continuing the public hearing to a later date.
Public Hearing: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (Permits, Walls, Driveways, Accessory Buildings)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mark Cachini [1:09:00] · Seconded by Alvarez [1:09:21]
The proposed amendments aimed to clarify when zoning and building permits are required for various property improvements like retaining walls, driveways, fences, and patios, and to standardize definitions for accessory structures. Key changes included specific permit requirements based on retaining wall height, fence finish side guidelines, and defining carports as garages and greenhouses/gazebos as accessory buildings for zoning. Concerns were raised regarding potentially burdensome permit requirements for like-for-like replacements (patios/driveways) and the impact of counting small gazebos/greenhouses toward accessory building limits. The commission moved to approve with specific alterations to address these concerns: modifying language for patios/driveways to require permits only for 'installing or enlarging' (not 'replacing') and adding an exemption for gazeos/greenhouses under 100 sq ft from accessory building standards.
Notable Quotes (9)
However, as part of the due diligence for the city and the buyers, the city had a community center property survey last July. And that survey identified several concerns and issues with existing property lines for the five existing lots in relationship to the existing buildings, driveways, and parking spaces.
The primary reason is the buyer of the community center wants parking.
So the city council will consider the preliminary plat and the final plat on October 20th.
We're recommending the plane commission adopt the resolution uh approving community center edition or recommend, excuse me, to the city council that they adopt the resolution approving the community center addition to North St. Paul preliminary plat and subject to two conditions.
So, at this point, I'm recommending that the plan commission continue the public hearing to a future meeting and table taking any action on this ordinance because we'll bring it back with some changes to better address the concerns that were expressed to us.
So again, it's part of our continuous review to improve clarify sections of the zoning ordinance. We found that the code is not real clear when there are permits whether zoning per permits or building permits required for retaining walls.
But you're right. It it it would cut into the the number of accessory or there is a limit on the number of accessory buildings.
I think that feels more approachable, but new or an expansion that makes sense because that could change things. I would agree with that.
I'm writing as the city considers or no city exempts gazeos and green houses less than 100 square ft from the standards and requirements in this section.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Proposed plan to reconfigure five existing lots around the Community Center into three, addressing property line and easement issues.
The final, cleaner version of the plat to be recorded at Ramsey County, based on the preliminary plat.
City regulations governing land use, lot sizes (e.g., MU3 district minimum 35,000 sq ft), setbacks, and accessory buildings.
Document for approving the Community Center Addition to North St. Paul preliminary plat.
Proposed changes to regulations for wall signs and temporary signs.
Referenced for standards related to retaining wall heights and accessory building sizes for permits.
A new or clarified permit type for various improvements not covered by building permits, ensuring compliance with zoning regulations.
Required for significant construction, clarified for retaining walls over 4ft and accessory buildings over 200 sq ft.
Comprehensive proposed changes to clarify permit requirements, definitions for structures, and standards for fences, walls, and driveways.
City's long-range planning document, scheduled for an update kickoff meeting.