St. Paul City Council members recently reviewed a proposal to rezone property at 213 Bates Avenue in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood, signaling a potential shift towards more mixed-use development in the area. The application, put forth by All Mar Development Group, seeks to change the property's classification from H2 residential to T1 traditional neighborhood zoning.

The proposed rezoning, introduced as Ordinance 26-28 during a recent council meeting, is intended to align the parcel with the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which designates the area as an urban neighborhood. This designation advocates for a blend of residential options and limited, neighborhood-serving commercial activities.

According to Stefan Doarte Breen, a planner with the Planning and Economic Development Department, the T1 zoning district would permit a variety of low-intensity commercial uses. "The T1 traditional neighborhood zoning district permits a range of residential and low-intensity commercial uses such as barbers and beauty shops, bakeries, coffee shops without drive-thrus, artist studios, general retail under 5,000 square feet, and general office that are complimentary to the mix of multi-family residential and single-family residential in the area," Breen explained to the Council. This diverse allowance for businesses is intended to integrate seamlessly with the existing mix of residential and commercial structures already present in the vicinity, which includes a home goods store, an auto service garage, and a bakery within a few blocks.