North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Casey Lake Park Hockey Rink Rehabilitation and Multi-Use Development
Southwood Park Ecological Restoration and Community Use
Quick Trip Car Wash Expansion
Residential Fence Height Variance
Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance Update
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments
Article 7 Sump Pump Discharge Agreement
Votes (6)
Quick Trip Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Site Plan Review
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Schwar [0:18:14] · Seconded by Council member Norby [0:18:20]
Quick Trip sought approval to add a second car wash bay at its 2275 Anchor Drive location. The proposal included minor landscape alterations (with a net increase in trees and shrubs) and ensured architectural consistency with the existing structure. Staff confirmed the project's compliance with zoning, setback requirements, and adequate utility capacity. The Planning Commission had previously recommended approval.
Variance Request for 2718 16th Avenue East (Fence Height)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Schwar [0:25:00] · Seconded by Council member Norby [0:25:02]
A homeowner at 2718 16th Avenue East requested a variance to build a 6-foot fence in their front yard, where city code typically limits fences to 4 feet. The property is directly adjacent to a commercial Dairy Queen, creating a unique situation where the commercial property would be permitted a 6-foot screening fence. The Planning Commission and the Dairy Queen owner supported the variance, recognizing the practical difficulty for the residential property owner.
Outdoor Recreation Grant Opportunity for Casey Lake Park Hockey Rink
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Schwar [0:38:22] · Seconded by Council member Woods [0:38:26]
Staff sought council approval to apply for a DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant to revitalize the 30-year-old Casey Lake Park hockey rink. Proposed improvements include new dasher boards, a concrete surface for year-round use, LED lighting, and ADA accessibility upgrades throughout the park. The estimated project cost is $450,000, with a potential 50% matching grant from the DNR. The Ramsey Washington Watershed District expressed interest in partnering for related site restoration and stormwater management.
Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance Update
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Woods [0:46:17] · Seconded by Council member McKenzie [0:46:21]
The council reviewed and adopted amendments to the mobile food vendor ordinance. Changes clarified the definition of 'mobile food vendor' to include non-permanent structures, mandated fire department safety inspections, and aligned license expiration dates with the calendar year (December 31st) for administrative efficiency. New provisions were added for long-term vendors (operating for more than seven consecutive days), requiring site plans, property owner consent, permission from nearby food businesses, and a zoning review. A penalty of a double application fee was introduced for operating without a license.
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member McKenzie [0:53:32] · Seconded by Council member Norby [0:53:36]
The council adopted a series of zoning ordinance text amendments, following recommendations from the Planning Commission. These amendments refined definitions (e.g., 'bay', 'fenestration', 'limited production'), updated the use table (e.g., striking 'manufactured housing' from R1, adding 'delis' and 'bakeries', broadening 'automobile' to 'motor vehicle'), and, significantly, codified design standards from the Downtown Design Manual into the zoning code. This codification aims to strengthen architectural and design expectations for new developments or major remodels in the downtown district, covering aspects like facade length, materials, window transparency, and street network preservation. The amendments only apply to future projects, not existing structures.
Sump Pump Discharge Agreement with Article 7
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Woods [0:58:08] · Seconded by Council member McKenzie [0:58:11]
The council approved an agreement with the owners of the Article 7 apartment building at 2515 7th Avenue to resolve an unpermitted sump pump discharge into the city's sanitary sewer. Due to potential ground contaminants, the groundwater cannot be discharged into the storm sewer. The agreement requires the owners to install a meter to accurately measure the variable flow into the sanitary sewer, obtain necessary permits, and be responsible for any associated Met Council fees, ensuring proper treatment and accurate billing.
Notable Quotes (14)
Will they be putting the st will they be putting the um the landscaping back then on the outside of the new one?
I did get a message back saying that they had checked in with their uh mechanical engineer, the folks that do the the plumbing and stuff on this and they uh were satisfied with the result that the existing water and sewer service are adequate for the addition.
I was on the planning commission when we voted for uh the quick trip and they're they run like a Swiss watch. They said 110 days we're done. Not 111, 110. So they're they know how to get things done.
But when the residential property owner wants to put up the fence, they're limited what the fence code says that can occur on a residential property and that's 6 foot or actually 7 foot and then only 4 foot in the front yard. So it's a quandry.
I know when we did, uh, Housy Park, they, you know, some of the residents were concerned because we lost our baseball diamond down there because it was an ADA.
It's my understanding that all the park improvements would be eligible including the ADA improvements that they require.
Can you explain to me how the dates will work um for the license because I know some other places have like an overlap period instead?
Mr. Mayor, members of council, usually what I have seen in a situation like that is if someone is coming in to apply for a permit on December 15th for something like this, they're probably not going to be using it on December 16th. So, usually what we would do is we would say they should apply for a next year's permit. We would issue a permit effective January 1st and then it would just run for that year.
The only thing I'd be concerned about is if there's a change in insurance.
Ken, thank you very much. You you did wonderful um presenting this to the planning commission and I was very proud of the planning commission. Um they had some wonderful dialogue um that went back and forth that did result in some changes.
if we codify all this that all the existing buildings downtown meet these codes currently, right? ... We're not making codes that basically say you're going to have to immediately make changes or anything to the existing buildings.
No. No. Um, Council Member Woods and members of the council, this would only be these standards would only go into effect for newer remodeling projects going forward.
I have one. because this involves sack charges. Um, does the the Met Council have to review this?
the agreement is clear that any of those fees that are incurred are also the responsibility of the property owner.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Approving a conditional use permit amendment for Quick Trip car wash expansion.
Approving site and design plans for Quick Trip car wash expansion.
Grant opportunity for Casey Lake Park Hockey Rink restoration.
Capital Improvement Program budget for 2028, allocating funds for Casey Lake Park.
Ordinance undergoing proposed amendments for definitions, licensing, and long-term vendor provisions.
City zoning ordinance subject to text amendments, including definitions, use table, and downtown design standards.
Source for design standards being codified into the zoning ordinance.
Agreement with Article 7 apartment building owners for managing and billing unpermitted sump pump discharge.
Request for Proposals for the city's solid waste contract.