North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Asphalt Company Operations
Civic Engagement and Community Events
Votes (3)
Conditional Use Permit for Special Infill Housing at 2007 6th Street North
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Muick [00:16:32] · Seconded by Commissioner Alvarez [00:16:35]
The Planning Commission considered a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a student-built house at 2007 6th Street North, part of a long-standing program with ISD 916/CTC. Staff explained how the project met infill housing criteria and general CUP standards. Public comments included inquiries about potential property value and a request for privacy screening from an adjacent homeowner. The commission discussed the importance and quantification of screening, ultimately agreeing to add a condition for staff to work with the neighbor on a satisfactory solution.
Setback Variance for Student Build House at 2007 6th Street North
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Rothy [00:34:03] · Seconded by Commissioner Weiss [00:34:05]
The commission reviewed a variance request for the student build house, necessitated by the R2 zoning's 25-foot front and rear setbacks that would leave only a 10-foot buildable area. Staff proposed 18ft front and 6ft rear setbacks to match an existing student home. A public commenter highlighted inconsistencies in variance documentation and questioned the house's affordability. Commissioners expressed concerns about the 6-foot rear setback's impact on building codes and backyard usability, proposing an adjustment to 14ft front and 10ft rear setbacks, which staff confirmed as feasible with minor adjustments.
Margaret Street Commons Redevelopment Request for Proposals (RFP)
Dissent: None
The Community Development Director recommended issuing an RFP for the Margaret Street Commons Redevelopment site due to strong developer interest, emphasizing the importance of a transparent process. A proposed timeline was outlined, including staff drafting the RFP for the September 5th Planning Commission meeting. Commissioners generally supported the RFP approach, with one requesting explicit mention of the downtown bus stop in the RFP to inform developers. Discussion also touched on the types of proposals expected, favoring ground-floor retail with multi-story residential above.
Notable Quotes (8)
This property does fit that it's a the minimum lot width is 50 ft this current lot lot is well the width is about 108 ft and their square footing minimum for R2 is 3,630 Ft this lot is 596 ft so it does meet that requirement.
the homes we've done in the past have been on the open market and they sold for about 480,000... he's he's going to list in that 480 to 500,000.
I certainly think if if that is the you know the direction of the Planning Commission we can add that as a as a condition of approval that would then be forwarded to the council.
if you take this piece of property take the 25 ft front 25t uh rear you're left with a 10t space to build on I don't think anybody's going to buy a 10- foot depth home so that is that is the reason for the requested variance from the lot or from the setbacks.
now there's another document it's called zva 24-1 and on the I don't know does it have Pages no they don't have page numbers but I would guess it's the second page maybe it isn't maybe it's even the third page it doesn't have a number it says I can go find it again explain how you want to vary from the applicable provisions of the ordinance it says front yard setback to be 12.7 ft... the rear yard setback to be 11.3 ft H H you find that to be confusing I do okay you need to correct that.
building codewise even if you're at 6 ft you're going to be limited on the number of Windows you can put over there you're going to be limited in the exterior materials you can put there because of the fire separation distance so you're you're creating design issues by putting it that close to the property line.
typically what happens is when when when we get some really good interest in a Redevelopment site it's usually best to go for an RFP that way it's free you know it's open it's transparent it's available so I I what I'm recommending to the Planning Commission that you should consider posting for an RFP for Redevelopment of that site.
I do have one request that when you do the RFP please mention that there is a the downtown bus stop is located in that block because I don't want to see a developer either get caught unaware by that or you know come up with a plan that requires us shifting that with at least not without you know notice ahead of time.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Administers conditional use permits for special infill housing.
Lists conditional uses allowable as infill housing.
The general city code governing zoning ordinances, referenced for harmony and intent.
Administers lot variances.
A specific document related to the variance request, noted for having conflicting setback information.
The city's officially adopted plan, to which conditional uses and variances must be consistent.
Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of the Margaret Street Commons site.