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99-89QR�IGINAL • Council File # -`�� Resolution # Green Sheet # G �a tg Presented By RESQLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MtNNESOTA Referred To Committee_ Date �3 1 Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan: S�a.ry and General Policy 2 3 WI�EREAS, the Planning Commission has recommended a Sumiziary and General Policy Chapter for the 4 updated Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, and 5 C WFIEREAS, the Summary and General Policy was the subject of a public heazing before the City Council 7 and the Planning Commission on December 7, 1998, and 8 9 WHEREAS, the Summary and General Policy fulfills the p1an update objective to have a brief generai 10 statement of development policy that encompasses the plan's several chapters, and 71 12 WHEREAS, under Minnesata StatuCes Chapter 473.864, Subd. 2, Saint Paul is required to update its � Comprehensive Plan regularly and to submit an updated Plan by ttie end of 1998 (or to an extended date), 15 RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saint Paul adopts the Summary and General Policy as an ! 6 amendment to the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan contingent on further review by adjacent communities and 7 the Metropolitan Council. doption Certified by Conncil Secsetary BY �e �=� proved by Mayox: te `( v!�Z ( By' Fozm Approved by City Hy: � Approved by r r By: l!�/a�vr+�, 1-IT-99 �� , � ,dopted by Council: Date 1\ \ �ti �y `�� alg - 8'9 � u CI� QF` .SA�T pA.�. 390 Ciry Ho11 Telephone: 651-26fr8310 Norm Coleman, Mayor IS V✓est Ke[IOgg Boulev¢rd Facrimile.' 65I-228-8513 Saint Pau1, MN �5102 3anuary 12, 1999 City Council President Dan Bostrom Councilmembers Dear Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers: T am pleased to transmit and recommend for your adoption two chapters for the updated Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan which the Planning Commission has prepared: the Housing Plan, and the Summary and General Policy. The Suminary and General Policy will provide a brief and broad statement of City development policy and will help to clarify the interrelationship among the plan chapters. It sets out the important themes for our next several years of progress that underlie the • entire plan. As you know, considerable community discussion lies behind this draft of the 5aint Paul Housing Plan. Some earlier drafts, and, before these, an issue paper were the subject of discussion at numerous community meetings and at the public hearing which you sponsored jointly with the Planning Commission. I believe the new draft provides significant direction for our community effort and recognizes well the broad range of partnership efforts that progress on our housing objectives requires. Most importantly, it recognizes the importance of addressing the housing needs of households of all incomes—those who live here now and those who might be attracted to move into the city. I commend it for your careful consideration. I recommend that the City Council adopt both of these contingent on the Metropolitan Council and adjacent community reviews still to come. i erely, 0 � �'�--�—� C'� ^'1 Norm Coleman Mayor � a�� Page 20, General Policy 18, Open space and River Counectious. Modify language to make it clear that the objecrive of strengthening neighborhood connecrions to the river is not limited to neighborhoods along river tributaries: Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced � , through appropriate trail and road connecfions, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer particulaz opporiunities for enhanced connections. The Dakota County review menrions particular support for, and willingness to work with Saint Paul on: • Collaborating with neighboring communiries and other regional jurisdictions to achieve development that reinforces a strong, sustainable role for the city and the region as a whole... • Supporting the green corridors project of the DNR and the restorafion and protection of natural areas generally. • Providing regional trail connections • Pedestrian and bicycle faciliries on the planned I-35 bridge • Improvement of transit • The street classificarion which they find consistent with Dakota County's functional classification system. � City of Minneapolis In their review, Minneapolis finds our housing and land use chapters to be compatible with the Draft Minneapolis Plan and mentions the following as important azeas of consistency between the two cities in policy direction: • Protecting and enhancing neighborhoods • Concepts of neighborhood livability and economic vitality • Supporting a wide variety of housing types and location choice for all households • Supporting a variety of housing densities and housing designs comparible with our neighborhoods � , . .. r city of saint paul planning commission resolution file number 99-04 date January 8, 1999 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL POLICY OF THE SAINT PAUL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, a summary and general statement of development policy is a key component of an updated Saint Pau{ Comprehensive Plan needed to communicate the essential elements of the plan to the community, inform City development activities and meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, Minnesota Statutes Sections 473 and 473H; and WHEREAS, a draft document was published for community review and discussion in October 1998; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held jointly by the Saint Paul Planning Commission and the Saint Paul City Council on December 7, 1998, notice of which was published in the Saint Paul � Legal Ledger November 24 and 25, 1998; and WHEREAS, the Commission finds broad community support for the policy directions recommended by the plan integrating neighborhood concerns within the broader City-wide goals in the pfan; and has made revisions to the draft in response to specific concerns raised and information provided in the course of the community discussion and public hearing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the City of Saint Paul approves the Summary and General Policy as an element of The Saint Pau! Comprehensive Pian, contingent on review by adjacent communities and the Metropolitan Council; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends the Summary and General Policy to the Mayor and to the Saint Paui City Council for preliminary adoption and for inclusion in The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan to be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council. moved by Geisser seconded by in favor Unanimous � against i� �• City of St. Paul Office of the City Council 320 City Hall , Saint Paul, MN 55102 (651) 266-8570 fNTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM DATE: March 15, 1999 TO: Councilmembers and Legislative Aides G FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst �V�G�/"" SUBJECT: Summary and General Plan Amendments (3/17/99 Policy Session, Agenda Item # 35) and Housing Plan Amendments (3117/99 Policy Session, Agenda ltem # 36) Attached is a list of all proposed Summary and Housing Plan amendments that have been forwarded to me by Councilmembers over the last rivo weeks. The items are listed in page number order, according to the page being amended. Ken Ford, Nancy Homans and I have compiled and discussed the amendments. Where appropriate, comment has been provided on specific aznendments. The Council is currently scheduled to amend the Summary and Housing Plans on Wednesday Mazch 17'� and lay them over to Mazch 24�' for final adoption. Please contact me with any questions or comments on these plans. Please note that this memo and attachments have also been emailed to you. attachments cc: Ken Ford and Nancy Homans, PED Gerry Strathman and Nancy Anderson, Council Reseazch Phil Byrne and Peter Warner, City Attomey's Office � � c� ��ti � �� Q` � �� l � c�nr couNC�� PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL PLAN 1. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 12, General Policy 3, Water Resources, add bullet. Protection of surface water resources from inapprovriate discharges from waste disnosal and contaminant release sites PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo in packet. 2. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 19, General Policy IS. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: Conrinuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use Chapter, with corrective actions wherever necessary to mitieate adverse environmental impact of existing industrv includine ina�pronriate discharge from waste disposal and contaminant release sites PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo in packet. 3. Author Councilmember Bostrom, Location page 20, General Policy 18 amendment, Open space and River Connections.• Neighborhood connecrions to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced , through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River lributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer narticulaz opnortuniries for enhanced connections. PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo iR packet. 4. Author Councilmember Benanav, Location page 24, Generad Policy 24 amendment: Intensive Use of Industrial Land. Increasing density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of City sites with industrial and/or business potentiaL Factors to be considered are the number of iobs Uer sc�uare foot and ner acre and the coveraee of buildine to land. Office uses may offer greater potential than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. PED Staff Comment: This is an appropriate definition of density. Author Jerry Blakey; Location page 26: GP32. Inclusive Community. We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. The Citv, in �artnersh� with the Miiuiesota Fair Housing Center and other interested community oreanizations will coonerate to identifv and eliminate unlawful discriminarion in residenrial sales and mortg�e lendine PED Staff Comment: It is appropriate to add this emphasis here. We suggest just a little revision to eliminate some redundancy. PED ALTERNATE LANGUAGE: The Citv will c000erate with the Minnesota Fair Housin�c Center and other interested communitv orqanizations to identifv and eliminate unlawful discrimination in the Saint Paul housinq market includina the rental market the for sale- market. and mortqaqe lending. ��,'� \ CITY COUNCIL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING PLAN 1. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page I0, insert fourth paragraph: 6. Discriminarion continues. DesUite conrinuing efforts on the nart of federal, state and local govemments, bias continues to act as an impediment to a si¢nificant number of home seekers in Saint Paul. The Institute on Race and Povertv of the Universitv of Minnesota concludes that the Twin Ciries metro azea is annong the nation's most residentially seere�ated. A fair housing audit bv the Mimiesota Fair Housin� Center has found that racial bias is a sienificant factor in rental housin� PED STAFF COMMENT: Policies related to addressing discrimination and enforcement of the Federal Fair Housing Act are important additions to the Housing Plan. ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6. Discrimination continues. Despite continuinp efforts on the oart of federal, state and local qovernments, bias continues to act as an impediment to a siqnificant number of home seekers in Saint Paul. HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. 2. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 12, insert final paragraph: 43 d. Additional resources skeel� must be identified and used in partnership with those code enforcement efforts to assist properry owners to make the necessary repairs and improvements before there is significant deterioration. 3. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page I4, insert final paragraph: 5.1 a. [to encourage the construction of new units, the City should] make assisU'ng potenrial developers a riori , when necessary, in the assembly and clean up of land and the construcrion of infrashuchxre. This should include devising mechanisms to more easily transfer the ownership of tax-forfeited properties to community development corporations or other community-based organizations for development. 4. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 16, insert fznal paragr¢ph: 5.3 a. Advocate for additional reforms of those State ta�c provisions that discourage the conshuction and ownership of rental housing, includine decreasing the tax rate on residential rental �roDertv 5. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 16, insert final paragraph: 53 b. Stron 1 encourage xrajef local employers to invest in the production of rental housing to serve their workforce, on their own or in partnership with other businesses, eovernment a¢encies and nonnrofit organizarions. 6. Author Counci[member Blakey; Location page 19: 6.1a. The Legislature should commit additional funds to the Metropolitan Livable Communities Demonstration and housing accounts as an incenrive for suburban and stronger central city communiries to produce affordable housing. The citv also insists that the Metronolitan Council enforce all aereements to nrovide low-income housing in the municipalities that urilized public funds for infrastructure expansion since 1973. �� ' PED STAFF COMMENT: The link between low-income housing and infrastructure improvements that was made by the Metropolitan Council in the 1970s was related to the Council's role in reviewing applications made by cities for federal parks and open space funds. Positive reviews on those applications was related to the city's performance in providing affordable housing. That review mechanism was eliminated during the Reagan administration. There are no outstanding "agreements." As federal funding programs have changed, the Metropolitan Council no longer has a role in leveraging local participation in the production of affordable housing. Instead, the Council is the lead implementing agency for the Metropolitan Livable Communities Accounts that offer incentives for the production of affordable housing. To more fully address the issues raised by this proposed amendment, planning staff recommends the following plan amendment: ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6.1.a. . Encouraqe the Minnesota Leaislature to provide adequate fundinq for communities to meet Livable Communities poals for affordable housinp and to adoot the other orovisions of the Metr000litan Council's Housina Reform Initiative includinq an incentive oroqram for communities to lower housinp construction costs associated with local requirements, a reassessment of the state buildinq code, rental housinq resources for replacement housina and rehabilitation, new rental housinq resources. fundina for homeless assistance, preservation of existina federallv assisted rental housinq and suaaort for new and rehabilitated ownership housinq. � Author Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 20, inseK new fzrst paragraph: b. The Citv and its partners should encourage the Minnesota Leeislahue to strenethen the Livable Communities Act to make it more likely to have a real impact on the availabilitv of affordable housine for the metronolitan region. This is important given the results of the recent studv bv the Universitv of Minnesota Center for Urban and Reeional Affairs which indicates that even if all the nroduction �oals of the Liveable Communities Act aze met, the reeion will still fall behind in affordable housine provision by complerion of Livable Community Plans. [This amendment will cause the renumbering of the current 6.1.b-e to 6.1.c-f.J 8. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 20: 6.2 [With its partners, the City should:] a. Lobby for the expansion of federal and, especially, state fmancing for the construction and preservarion of affordable housing throughout the region. Specificallv the Citv will nropose for current and future legislative aeendas that the state double, thereby achievine 1% of the state budget for housine, its exnenditures on housing bv sienificantiv increasin¢ its approuriations for the Mimiesota Housins Finance Agencv and for imnlementation of the Livable Communities Act. 9. Authors Counci[members Coleman ¢nd Lantry; Location page 20: 6.2 [With its partners, the City should:] b. Identify new local resources that can be used to leverage additional public and private fmancing. HRA resources represent flexible fund sources that can and should be tapped by City policy makers. Addirionally, the City should dedicate one half of its Neiehborhood STAR Program revenue for housing develonment for at least the next two years. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENT: This makes the plan consistent with the City Council action taken in CF# 99-237 directing that the STAR guidelines be revised to accomplish this on March 10, 1999. � 10. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page ll, insert second paragraph: d. The citv will lobbv the Public Housing Agencv (PHA) to create a position of ombudsman/advocate at PHA. connected with community organizations, who can work with PHA clients to fixll explain their ri ts, responsibiliries and housine onrions. PED STAFF COMMENT: The concems that led to this proposed amendment relate to difficulties faced by people looking for housing or emergency shelter. In too many instances, housing advocates tell us, people have a hard time getting good information. That issue is bigger than the Public Housing Agency and the PHA is not now in a position to assume responsibility for such a service. The nature of the issue suggests, rather, a series of recommendations related to inter-agency communication and better attention to public information. PED ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE: The Housinq fnformation Office should work with approoriate service providers to develoo and distribute orinted materials or on-line resources related to available emerpencv shelter and transitional housinq services as well as to services available from the wide variety of advocacv orqanizations. lla. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 22, amend: 6.4 Among the 300- 400 units of housing to be constructed each yeaz, 60-80 should be affordable to households with incomes below $A% 55% of the regional median, � . In the event that the total number of units consiructed falls short of 300-400, affordable units should represent 20% of those that are constructed or rehabilitated While the high cost of new construcfion, the limited availability of subsidy funds and the City's need to expand its taac base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold at market rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construction. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3A;-69an�-89 55 percent of the regional median income by 1. Investing public financing in developments where �-te 20% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $9 55 en rcent of the regional median income, �€e€ . Developments in neighborhoods with little affordable housing and strong housing markets should be encouraged to provide more than 20 percent of their units to lower income households while those in weaker mazkets should be asked to provide a smaller share. l lb. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 22: 6.4 Among the 399- 400 units of housing to be constructed or rehabilitated and rerixrned to the mazket each yeaz, HA-89 200 should be affordable to households with incomes below 30% of the regional median, with at least half, or 1� going to those to be affordable to households ' ;ne�iat2 earnine minimum wage, and annual income of $11.000. In the event that the total number of units conshucted falls short of 300-40Q affordable units should represent 20% of those that aze conshucted or rehabilitated While the high cost of new construction, the limited availability of subsidy fixnds and the City's need to expand its tax base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold a �� at market rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construcrion. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3&-68 an�$9 30 percent of the regional median income by a. Investing public financing in developments where �p-te �8°fo 50% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $8 30 uercent of the regional median income, with half of those for households � e�� minimum w�e, and annual income of $11 000. Developments in neighborhoods with little affordable housing and strong housing markets provide more than �$ 50 percent of their units to lower income households while those in weaker mazkets should be asked to provide a smaller shaze. 11 c. Author Councilmember Benanav; Location page 22: 6.4 Among the 300-400 units of housing to be conshucted, 20% 6A-$A should be affordable to households with incomes below $9% 50% of the regional median, with at least half going to those to be affordable to households with incomes below 38% 30% of the regional median. In the event that the total number of units conshucted falls short of 300-400, affordable units should represent 20% of those that aze constructed. While the high cost of new construction, the limited availability of subsidy funds and the City's need to expand its tas base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold at mazket rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construcrion. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3A;-6A-a�-&9 30 percent of the regional median income by a. Invesring public financing o� in developments where �rie ZO% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $8 30 ercent of the regional median incom°� vhni�ld h1_�______,.,: ._ _ �n r ti.:_ ___:._ i_- '- L Y . In order to accom lu ish this �oal the Citv of Saint Paul on an annual basis shall require that at least 20 nercent of all publiclv assisted housing developments of 5 units or more either rental or ownershi� shall be affordable to families at or below 30 nercent of the metronolitan median income Only developments of 5 units or mare are subiect to the 20 percent requirement PED STAFF COMMENT ON 11 a and 11 b: [Please note that PED Staff comment was prepared prior to the Benanav proposal, and therefore there are no PED staff comments on 11c.] The Planning Commission's plan recommends the construction of 300-400 units a year with 60-80 being affordable to households with incomes below 80% of the regional median and half of those being affordable to households with incomes below 50% of the regional median. If total production does not reach 300- 400, the Commission proposes that the City's goal for the production of affordable units should be 20 percent of total production. In establishing its goal, the Commission's concerns were two: (1) that the goal be achievable with identifiable resources that are likely to be available over time; and (2) that the goal be in the context of expanding the supply of units for households at ali income levels. It is important to note that the plan does not assume that the city's major initiative in the area of ��' � `� affordable housing will be in new production. The plan, rather, hopes to promote a modest addition to the city's affordable stock each year to compensate both for demolitions and improving market conditions that have resulted in higher rents. The high cost of new construction and the Iimited availability of land mean that most of the housing needs of lower income households�specially those that need family-size units—will continue to be met by the existing housing stock. A second important caveat is that production goais do not assume CitylHRA wi11 be substantiaf{y involved in the construction of all 6,000 units. Indeed, it is the expectation that many of the market units will be privately constructed—perhaps with public assistance in the assembly and Gean-up of the land. The lower the income group the housing is expected to serve, of course, the higher the public investment that will be required. The impact of the Blakey amendment would be to significantly shift the proportions of new units proposed by the plan, increasing the level of public investment that will be required. Instead of 2� percent of the units constructed each year being subsidized to the level required to make them affordable to lower incomes households, fifty percent or two hundred of the four hundred units constructed each year would require the level of subsidy (for construction and on-going maintenance) comparable to that required for public housing. Staff supports an increase in the goal for the production of affordable units and a reduction in the income threshold provided that: a. The goal remains "in scale" with the produc6on goal for market rate housing; b. The goal is linked to actual production so that if market conditions result in fewer than 300-400 total new units per year, the goal for the construction of affordable units is proportionately reduced;and c. The higher goal is linked with the identification of a new funding source. In establishing a goal for the percentage of any given project that should be affordable to lower income househoids, a minimum project size for applicable projects (e.g. 4, 8, or 12 units) should be established. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENTS ON 11c. Councilmember Benanav's proposal is para{let to one adopted in Minneapolis last summer. The Minneapolis policy reads: " that the City of Minneapolis, on an annual basis, shall require that at least 20 percent of all publicly assisted housing developments of 10 units or more, either rental or ownership, shall be affordable to families at or below 30 percent of the metropolitan median income. All publicly assisted rental projects must accept the use of Section 8 rental assistance either by site-based or portable certificate. Only developments of 10 units or more are subject to the 20 percent requirement." 12. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 23: 6.5 The City should � reaffirm its commitment to the Replacement Housing Policy outlined in Chapter 93 of the Administrarive Code, ensure that there aze units constructed to replace all housine units lost since Januarv1998, and ensure that those units contain the net number of bedrooms lost to demolirion. Exisring policy requires that City agencies proposing the demolition of conversion of afFordable rental housing shall provide the City Council with an affordable rental housing analysis outlining the impact of the proposed project on the availability of such housing in the City. Under certain circuxnstances, including when there has been a net loss of affordable rental housing units (those affordable to households with incomes below 55% of the regional median), the director of PED shall recommend the replacement of units slated to be lost. The City Council has fmal responsibility for approving, amending or rejecting that recommendarion. If the Council determines that units should be replaced, adequate funds to finance the construcrion of those replacement units within three years shall be approved by the agency proposing the project. Inasmuch as the ordinance was adopted in 1989 and has not been revised since then, any issues o�°�_� `'I relafive to its implementafion should be idenrified and addressed as part of the process of implementing the plan. PED STAFF COMMENT: Chapter 93 of the Administrative Code ouiiines the City's current Replacement Housing Policy. The basic provisions of that policy include: a. Any request to the City Counal for approvaf of a city-assisted project that wouid involve the demolition or conversion of affordable rental housing must be accompanied by an affordable rental housing analysis that describes the balance of units produced and units demolished since 1989 as weli as market conditions such as vacancy rates and prevailing rents for units of similar size in the city. b. The PED director shall review the analysis against the goals for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing that are to be set forth in an annual housing production plan filed with the city clerk by January 31 of each year. c. The PED director shall make a recommendation as to whether replacement shall be required and, if so, what kind of units shall be constructed. d. The director shall make a recommendation to replace units under any of the following circumstances: i. If the analysis shows there has been a net loss of affordable rental units; ii. If the type of affordable rental units to be demolished are the type of units that the city has determined through its housing production and preservation goals to be needed in the city and the number of units to be lost equals or exceeds 20. iii. If the affordable rental housing lost is due to an activity funded from one of three federal programs. e. The director shall propose means by which the replacement housing will be constructed and financed. f. The city council shall have final responsibility for approving, amending or rejecting the director's recommendation. The principle benefit of the existing ordinance in addressing the demolition/replacement housing issue is that decision makers, whose responsibility it is to balance competing policy objectives, have good information on the impact of the proposed demolition and a recommendation on how replacement can be achieved. It does not, however, tie the council's hands when specific circumstances might suggest replacing fewer than 100 percent of the units to be lost. It is good policy and staff recommends that we continue to rely on it—and be more diligent in meeting its requirements—as the most appropriate response to this issue. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENT: Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry have introduced a separate resolution, CF# 99-260, addressing this point. It 1) reaffrms commitment to maintaining the needed level of affordable housing in the City of Saint Paul; and 2) requests that the Director of the Planning and Economic Development Department prepare and present an affordable housing analysis per Chapter 93 of the Administrative Code by May 26, 1999 for discussion by the City Council. 13. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 26, at end: 6.10 Work to overcome bias in the housin¢ mazket. The City recognizes that over th�rt�yeazs have �assed since the oriEinal enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act nrohibitin¢ discrimination in housinE and vet bias confinues to affect Saint PauPs racial and ethnic minoriries the disabled and families with minor children. The task of overcomin2 bias must be accented as the joint resuonsibility of federal state county and Cityyovernments in cooperarion with private and nonprofit sectors To this end the City will support: 1. Svstemic testine in the housinp, mazket to identi bias 2. Enforcement of Saint Paul's human ri¢hts ordinance in respect to housine discrimination 0 �� 3. Educational and outreach pro�rams directed towazds housing providers includine landlords rental aeents real estate sales personnel mortgaee lenders uropertv apnraisers and proper[y ivsurers 4. Outreach pro�rams d'uected towards neiehborhood oreanizations and district nlanning councils to promote ¢rassroots awazeness of the nroblem 5. Creation of a Saint Paul Fair Housing Council comprised of representatives of citv �overnment. the nrivate sector, community a�encies and the Minnesota Fair Housin Center which shall advise the City in its oneoine work to idenrify and overcome unlawful bias through testine, enforcement plaunin� educarion and outreach. PED STAFF COMMENT: Policies related to addressing discrimination and enforcement of the Federal Fair Housing Act are important additions to the Housing Plan. Planning staff, however, is hesitant to recommend policies related to the establishment of a Saint Paul Fair Housing Council and systematic testing to identify bias without a better understanding of the City's Department of Human Rights' existing efforts related to Fair Housing and the budget implications of these recommendations. At the time this report was prepared, that information was not yet available. ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6.10 Work to overcome bias in the housinq market. The Citv recoqnizes that over thirtv vears have oassed since the oriqinal enactment of the Federal Fair Housinq Act prohibitinq discrimination in housinq and vet bias continues to affect Saint Paul's racial and ethnic minorities, the disabled and families with minor children. The task of overcominq bias must be accepted as the ioint responsibil� of federal state countv and Citv qovernments in c000eration with orivate and nonorofit sectors. To this end, the Citv will su000rt: 1. Enforcement of Saint Paul's human riqhts ordinance in resoect to housinp discrimination 2. Educational and outreach proqrams directed towards housinq providers includinq landlords rental aaents real estate sales oersonnel mort�c aqe lenders arooertv appraisers and orooertv insurers 3. Outreach proprams directed towards neiqhborhood orqanizations and dist�ict olanninq cou�cils to promote arassroots awareness of the problem HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. 14. Author Cauncilmember Blakey; Location page 26, at end: 6.11 The Citv must lo ace a moratorium on demolition of shuchually sound rental housin¢ units until the city's rental vacancy rate exceeds 5%. PED STAFF COMMENT: One goal shared by almost everyone involved in discussions about the Housing Plan is the construction of a significant number of new housing units in the city. Without new production, vacancy rates will continue to decline and rents will conti�ue to increase. The issue raised by this proposed amendment is whether it will encourage, discourage or have no effect on our ability—and the ability of our private and non-profit partners—to produce new housing. Because of the limited supply of vacant land—especially in the neighborhoods—the production of new units will likely involve some amount of redevelopment and the demolition of existing units. The HRA Board, it seems, should have the flexibility to decide that the demolition of one or more "structurally sound" units is justified when new units are being produced. A moratorium would reduce the Board's flexibility and, in the long run, may slow down the process of getting to the point where vacancy rates reach 5%. 15. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 26,insert at end: 6.12 The Citv and its nartners should fiurther e�lore policy outions used b�other major metropolitan azeas such 7 �� as residential hotels. local trust funds develoned from a stream of revenues from real estate transaction fees: zoning changes like inclusionarv zoning or densitv requirements. 16. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 28, at end: 73 Fair Housine Plannins. Staff assi�ned to convene the Housing Coordination Team shall also be assigned to the Saint Paul Fair Housing Council. as idenrified in 6.10 above, and shall in coonerarion with the Fair Housing monitor and evaluate the citds proQress on an annual basis. The Council shall in coo�eration with assigned staff oresent its findines for inclusion in the Housine Acrion Plan and make such recommendations as mav be necessary and prouer to fulfill the �lan and meet objectives towazds building an inclusive communitv. PED STAFF COMMENT: See comments for previous amendment. PED recommends not adopting this amendment without thorough consultation of Human Rights staff. HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. CITY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS TO THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL PLAN ADOPTED 3/24/99 �� M\ �' �o� C� d ��u�� (��$� Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 12, General Policy 3, Water Resources, add bullet: Protection of surface water resources from inapprOpriate dischaz¢es from waste disposal and contaminant release sites. 2. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 19, General Policy I5. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: Continuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use Chapter, with corrective actions wherever necessar�to miti�ate adverse environmenta] imnact of existing industry, includin�pUro�riate discharge from waste disposal and contaminant release sites 3. Author Councilmember Bostrom, Location page 20, General Policy 18 amendment, Open space and River Connections: Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced , through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer particulaz opportunities for enhanced connections 4. Author Councilmember Benanav, Location page 24, General Policy 24 amendment: Intensive Use of Industrial Land. Increasine density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of City sites with industrial and/or business potential. Factors to be considered are the nuxnber of iobs per square foot and per acre, and the coverage of building to land. Office uses may offer greater potenrial than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. 5. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 26: GP32. Inclusive Community. We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. The City will coonerate with the Mimiesota Fair Housing Center and other interested communitv oreanizations to identify and eliminate unlawful discrimination in the Saint Paul housing mazket, includin�the rental market, the for sale-market, and mort�aee lending. 6. Author Councilmember Harris; Location page 16 insert sixth bullet, GP10. [Pedestrian Safety and Quality. Saint Paul will strengthen the quality of the pedestrian experience in residenrial and business areas. Transportation and Land Use Chapter policies support:] ! School safety proezams as adonted. GREEN SHEET TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES �,.�,�.o.�� No �� 61219 � ❑2 an,.,.ou�r . � �«iac ❑,.�.��. r�� S( J��J` � � �S �.lP u ❑3 r�,��„�sr�n ❑ (CIJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Mayor Recommendation and City Council Adopeion of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan: '�_- Summary and General Policy A PL4NNING CAMMISSION _ CIB CAMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION A Sraff Update of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan IFAPPROVED Flas this pe�SOMrm ever worKed under a conhaG farMia departmeM7 YES NO Has tnie pewoMrm e.er eeen a ciy emvbv�7 YES NO Does this pe�rm possess a sidll not riormaUYP�%%� by anY wrteM cdY emP�M'ee4 YES NO Is this peisoMrtn a tarpeted veiMoY7 rES rio yain all vea answers m seoarate sheet arM attach to areen shee[ An additional chapter of the Comprehensive Plan will be completed, meeting the update requirements of State law. None Failure to meet the requirement of State law. TRANSACTIONi COETIREVRlUEBUDfiETED�qRCLEONE) VES NO ACTIVITY NUI�ER � SUMMARY AND GENERAL POLICY The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Draft for City Council Review January 1999 qq -�9 � �J � Recommended by the Saint Paul Planning Commission January 8, 199 CTTY OF SAINT PAUL DEPARTMF,NI' OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT � � � . SU M MARY AN D GENERAL POLICY The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Draft for City Council Review January 1999 Recommended by the Saint Paul Planning Commission CITY OF SAINT PAUL DEPARTMEM OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEM . � � q 4-89 .� �� u r1 LJ Contents Introduction The Setting for a New Plan Plan Vision and Themes Ten Principles for City Development Geogrephy and Environment Neighborhoods as Urban Villages Downtown Saint Paul Corridors for Growth Transportation Economic Opportuni�/ Community Development Regionallnterdependence Comprehensive Plan 5 6 7 10 11 12 16 17 21 22 25 26 3 Introduction • his document provides a broad statement of the Ciry's T development policy and, as an overview of the enlire Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, helps to clarify the interrelation- Shlp of the othel' Chapters. The summary includes general policy in the areas of Economic Development and Community Development which, though supported by policies in all functional areas, is not found in other chapters. When the 1998-1999 plan update is completed, the citywide por- tion of the Plan wiil consist of the following chapters: Directions for 2000, Plan Summary and General Policy Land Use Plan (1998, Recommended by the Planning Commission) Housing (Community Review Draft published October, 1998) Transportation (Adopted 1997) Parks and Recreation (Adopted 1997) Library Services (Adopted 1996) Water Conservation and Emergency Response Plan (1996) • River Corridor Plan (Adopted 1987 (to be updated 1999) Implementation A storm water management plan will be added at a later time, after the management plans for all of the watershed districts within the City are complete, as required by law. � Comprehensive Plan 5 ��-8`t The Setting for a New Plan Some of the most important trends that the Saint Paul community is • responding to in the effort to forge new development policy can be briefly described as follows: The 'IWin Cities region will grow over the next 20 years, adding some 550,000 people and 300,000 households according to The projections of the Metropolitan Council. The region has addressed its costly sprawling devel- opment pattern and acknowledged that a sustainable future requires more effective accommodation of growth within built-up areas, including the central cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Increased use of cars along with more households and without continued expansion of the highway system into the hinterland means that increasing traffic could well detract from the area's quality of life without altemative movement systems and new land use patterns. Both neighborhoods and business districts of Saint Paul which reflect the city's historic urban character well are highly valued today. New urbanist approaches to development gaining popularity throughout the country are evidence of a new realization of the value inherent in the historic neighbor- hood grid and sidewalk-and-neighborhood-street-connected living-shop- . ping-working that prevails in a variety of forms in much of Saint Paul. The effort well along to plant 25,000 trees, re-establishing something of the natural character of the Mississippi River corridor, is but one indication of a high level of commitment, broadly shared, to better stewardship of our nat- ural environment and renewed appreciation and enjoyment of Saint Paul's outstanding river bluff setting. The departure of some heavy industry has created new opportunity to meet this objective. Market confidence, the sometimes intangible factor that causes people to see a particular neighborhood as a sound opportunity for investment in housing or business, varies widely across Saint Paul. There's ample demon- stration of strong attraction for the urban neighborhoods the City provides. There's evidence as well that some neighborhoods are not secure and that careful strategy is required to support reinvestment. A regional shortage of housing affordable even to moderate and low-wage workers, and a very low vacancy rate for rental housing are aspects of the housing market that regional and City policy must address. There is also a growing network of vigorous partnership efforts involving business and resident organizations, non-profit organizations, city, county � and state govemments and the Saint Paul Schools addressing physical, 6 Ciry of Saint Paul . : economic and social needs, rebuilding community, working to redress the lack of confidence where it exists. � The Midway, Saint Paul's extensive business area between the two down- towns, is attracting new business investment today as it has for several years, and downtown Saint Paul is experiencing a rebirth with major new corporate building investment, a wealth of new cultural facilities, and a growing housing market. Urban analysis and experience in the United States is leading many to realize new economic potential for central city neighborhoods and their populations that have suffered from the disinvest- ment inherent in the physical and economic development patters of recent decades. And Saint Paul is well "above average" for its success in building its economy, expanding economic opportuniry by an increase of some 7,000 jobs in the 1990s. Plan Vision and Themes We envision a future Saint Paul that is the best of its present and past: � strong neighborhood communities, a vital downtown area, growing busi- ness and industry, easy, inviting connections among neighborhoods and districts and with our river and natural topography. one of Saint Paul's strengths is its traditional neighborhood fabric, made up of the strong and diverse communities within its borders. Our neighbor- hoods offer housing opportunities that are affordable and attractive to people within a very broad income range. As more and more business and living opportunities become concentrated in neighborhood business centers and near transit corridors, public transit, bicycles and walkways will become more acceptable means of transportation contributing to an improved environment. In our vision, downtown Saint Paul is a thriving 24-hour business, cultural and entertainment center, as well as a highly desirable urban residential location. New business and industry, well integrated with existing neigh- borhoods and new housing opportunities, have replaced the polluted land and outdated infrastructure of the Phalen Corridor to the east and the Great Northem Corridor to the west. University Avenue and West Seventh Street have become attractive corridors with strong business centers, new resi- . dential developments and pedestrian amenities attractive to transit riders. The Mississippi River Corridor, while continuing to accommodate a wide Comprehensive Plan variery of urban users, offers a vast green refuge at the city's heart, exten- sive new opportunities for public enjoyment, and an anchor for the park and trail system that shapes the entire city and strengthens the visibility of � its natural setting. Three themes capture the opportunities and needs of this vision. �'il'OW t�l Saint Paul welcomes new opportunities for growth. Saint Paul can realize new vitality by claiming a significant share of the new growth anticipated for the region. Opportunities are being defined in several key areas: on the downtown riverfront, along the Phalen and West Seventh Corridors, in the Great Northem Corridor through Frogtown, in the Midway and along University Avenue. )ob opportunities continue to expand. New business and cultural facilities open downtown. Likewise, the housing market reflects the growth pattem. Business development and housing con- cems recognize that neither wili be at its best unless both grow in an inte- grated and complementary fashion. QUQIlt11 Of PIQCe We cherish our place on the river and � intend that places throughout St. Paul will offer beauty and delight. /� new levei of concem for quality of p[ace is evident in our neighborhoods and in downtown and riverfront development. Highland Village and reno- vation in the University/Raymond area are representative of business cen- ters throughout the Ciry where this same intent to build with a quality wor- thy of our urban architectural heritage is evident. We have learned that sus- tainable success requires places designed to serve the community function- ally, aesthetically and socially. Quality of place for Saint Paul means: • Neighborhoods that attract people and make them want to stay; • Attractive housing that meets a wide variety of needs; Business districts that invite walking, promote community interaction and are safe; • Strong, positive visual interest for pedestrians, bikers, walkers and riders; � 8 City of Saint Paul _.. Visual and physical connection to the city's natural base of land, water and ciean air; and �• Industry that biends harmoniousiy with its urban neighbors. WC'.II-BClllg we�l-6eing for Saint Pau� citizens depends on economic growth and life-supporting jobs, as well as cultural, educational and recreational opportu- nities, including community services that nurture family and individual life. Saint Paul's commitment to well-being for families and individuals is evi- dent in its sustained interest in economic development, its newly expanded community effort in work force development, in the housing policy's emphasis on a broad range of housing opportunity, and in the main themes of the I 996 Community Development Agenda: • An Even Better Piace to Raise Children means a community � commitment to education, child care and family-supporting healthy neighborhoods. No 7�vice with Poverry means expansion of job opportunities appropri- ate for Saint Paul households and preparation of citizens for the emerging job market. • High Quality Ciry Living means the creation of safe, economically diverse neighborhoods with quality housing at a broad range of prices, participation in all aspects of community life without racial or ethnic barriers, and continued physical improvement of the city EJfective Civic Collaboration means that our efforts are stronger and more productive because we are working well together with shared objectives: the City, neighborhood organizations, the business commu- nity, Ramsey County, the State of Minnesota, the Saint Paul Public Schools, private service providers and foundations. . Comprehensive Plan g Ten Principles for City Development • General Policy 7. Ten Principles for City Development. The following princi- ples, originally developed as part of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework," have been established as guiding principles for general development in Saint Paul. 1. Evoke a sense of place. With each change, Saint Paul will work for a strengthened sense of place that reflects the city's natural beauty and exceptional heritage. 2. Restore and establish the unique urban ecology. Reconnection of our urban fabric to the Mississippi River that drew the area's original inhabi- tants wiIl promote a balance between urban and natural systems throughout Saint Paul. 3. Invest in the public realm. The public realm sets the stage for develop- ment and provides the network of connections. We will maintain and enhance this investment, designing improvements to promote safety and quality with an emphasis on improving the pedestrian environment. �� 4. Broaden the mir of land ases. We will take advantage of the diversity • of activity that is recognized as a special advantage of an older city. Residence, work and cultural opportunities in close proximity can reduce travel costs and enrich community life. 5. Improve conneclivity. Improvement of urban life in Saint Paul will occur by facilitating movement, access and connection among activities and places. 6. Ensure that buildings support broader city goals. Saint Paul will con- sider each addition to the community fabric as an opportunity to enhance its broader location. 7. Build on exis�ng strengths. We will make every effort at city and neighborhood levels to recognize and enhance the treasures we have in our economic, cultural, architectural and natural heritages. 8. Preserve and enhance heritage resourcea SainY Paul will continue To preserve and enhance its rich legacy of historic resources. 9. Provide a balanced network for movement. Provisions will be made for movement by car, public transportation, bicycle and on foot in a bal- anced manner throughout Saint Paul. • 10 Ciry of Saint Paul � � �J � 10. Foster public safery. We wiil keep public safety at the forefront in design and management of the public realm and apply safety criteria in the evaluation of any proposed private development. Geography and Environment The Mississippi River and its dramatic bluffs drew the earliest settlers to the area and remain the strongest definers of Saint Paul as a place. Diminishing heavy industry and years of progress in cleaning up the river have created new opportunitles for enhancement of the setting, improve- ment of environmental quality, and access to the area's strong natural fea- tures. A return to the river is an opportunity to strengthen quality of place at the heart of Saint Paul and, with connections and extensions along the tributaries, throughout all of Saint Paul. GP2. Topography and the Natural Environment. Saint Paul will strengthen its identity by reinforcing its topography and natural environment. This is the first goal of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework." Supporting policies from the Land Use and the Parks and Recreation chap- ters include: • Implementation of the land use themes from "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework," • Creation of new access to the riverbanks and bluff lines, • Promotion of the vision of the Great River Park, • Conformance of policies and ordinances with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Management plan, • Restoration of greenway and natural habitat linkages, • Reconnection of neighborhoods to the river with natural landscaping and, where possible, restoration of surface water in tributary corridors, and � Appropriate development of sites with river valley views and protection of views where appropriate.. • Conformance of development with Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area regulations. Comprehensive Plan 11 .. �, • Continued development restriction, and acquisition where appropriate, for protection of bluffs. � � GP3. Water Resources. Saint Paul will continue to protect its water resources in accordance with its water resources policy, including: • Promotion of natural storm water management solutions to minimize and improve the quality of runoff, including enforcement of standards for storm water detenrion ponds, connection of catch basins to the storm sewer system, • Enforcement of erosion and sedimenY control measures, • Completion of a watershed management plan for Saint Paul after the management plan for the Middle Mississippi River Water Management Organization is completed in 1999, and • Continuation of public education measures outlined in the Water Resources plan. + GP4. Wastewater Facilities. A comprehensive sewer plan update (Tier II) will be completed in 1999. In the meantime, improvement of wastewater handling � in Saint Paul will continue through established measures, which include: Complete elimination of storm water infiltration into the sanitary sewer system through removal of any remaining rain leader/storm sewer connections and eradication of leaks in the sewer system, • Identification of current status and future needs of wastewater flows, Continuation of the management program for on-site sewage treatment systems, which requires regular inspection of all systems, correction of nonconforming systems and testing of water supply welLs. Neighborhoods as Urban Viltages Saint Paul is a city of strong, well-known neighborhoods, each with its own character and community organizations. It has been a long-standing � city policy to maintain and enhance the unique character of those neigh- borhoods. The "Traditional Neighborhood Design" and "New Urbanism" 72 City of Saint Paul � � > � movements represent recognition of the value of Saint Paul's neighbor- hoods in contrast to typical suburban development. New Urbanist practices • provide some direction for maintaining and enhancing the strengths of our existing neighborhoods. � GPS. Neighborhoods as Urban Yllages. Opportunities to live, work and shop in close proximity will reinforce the urban village characteristics of Saint Paul neighborhoods. Improvements and new developments should con- tribute to a high quality, visually inviting, pedestrian-friendly environment. Land Use and Housing chapter policies support: • Application of urban village principles in neighborhood planning and development, • Recognition of the variety of physical forms that make for good neighborhoods in Saint Paul, • Compatible mixed use within single buildings and in separate buildings in close proximity, . Emphasis on pedestrians in neighborhood business centers, supported by design guidelines for designated pedestrian-oriented village centers, .• Building and landscape design that define public areas and strengthen a sense of place, . Diversity of housing type and cost at the neighborhood level, Attention to social and economic factors, along with physical planning and development, and . A balanced transportation system. � GP 6. Take Care of the Housing We Have. Most of the current and future resi- dents of Saint Paul will live in the city's existing housing stock. Original construction and on-going investment yield a high level of quality in many Saint Paul neighborhoods that have strong attraction in the regional hous- ing market today. In some neighborhoods, a pattern of disinvestment has led to deterioration and declinin� values. Housing chapter policies include: Continue and e�cpand efforts to enhance the city's traditional neighbor- hood design. • Continue a commitment to the preservation of historically and architec- � turally significant buildings and neighborhoods. Comprehensive Plan 13 • Step up code enforcement matched with additional resources for repair and rehabilitation. • Strategically focus efforts to stem deterioration and declining values. r • Improve management and maintenance of rental property. � GP7. Meet New Housing Market Demand. Households the children have left, and newer households they haven't yet joined, represent growing segments of the area housing market for at least the next decade. Households in this market are looking for aitematives to the single family home with its own yard: townhouses, condominiums and other properties more easily main- tained or leff for a week of travel. Renters make up a portion of this market. Housing Chapter policies include: • Encourage the production of 300-400 housing units a year, primarily attached units attractive to growing segments of the regional housing market most amenable to urban neighborhood opportunities. • Promote good design solutions for housing that meets newer market needs and complements, and is integrated welI with, existing Saint Paul neighborhoods, designs that use the smaller development sites creative- ly and that provide for housing in mixed-use nighborhood centers. • • Encourage the production of rental housing. Encourage innovative development through regulatory reforms. � GP 8. Ensure Availability of Affardable Housing, A generally stronger housing market, the almost total absence of any new production of renta] housing in any price range, and the reduction in federal funding for rental assis- tance are all putting pressure on the portion of the city's housing stock that is affordable to lower income households. In some instances, the price of that housing is being bid up to the point where it is no longer affordable. In others, lack of continuing investment has resulted in physical deterioration and demolition. The need for such affordable housing exists throughout the metropolitan region. Relative to most communities, Saint Paul has a large supply of well- managed low cost housing. Since there are challenges to that supply, preservation is the City's primary objective, though the construction of new low-cost units will be required as well if redevelopment is to meet the needs of Saint Paul neighborhoods. Encouragement of much more ade- quate provision of housing opportunities throughout the region is also part � of the City's strategy. Housing Chapter policies include: 14 Ciry of Saint Paul r I � • Challenge the region to ensure that each metropolitan community provides a full range of housing choices in order to meet the needs of � households at all income levels. • Work with public, private and philanthropic partners to identify and secure significant additional resources to enable the preservation and construction of affordable housing, both within the city and throughout the region. • Preserve existing federaly assisced housing through partnership efforts with HUD and other area agencies and support continued good maintenance and modemization of the public housing supply. • Stimulate the construction of a modest number of new affordable housing units each year, particularly in neighborhoods where affordable housing is in limited supply. • Support a variety of initiatives that will allow lower income households to move into home ownership. • Link services with affordable housing. • In partnership with Ramsey Counry and other private and non-profit agen- cies, implement the provisions of the Saint Paul/Rnmsey Counry Five-Year � housing and Homeless Services Plan as it is adopted by the City Council. • Preserve and improve existing privately-owned rental housing units. + GP9. Neighborhood Traffic and Parking. Provisions for traffiC and other means of circulation will enhance neighborhood environments and support community connections. 'I7ansportation chapter policies support: • Priority for neighborhood traffic control, • Attention to neighborhood character in the design of traffic and parking facilities, • Enhancement of pedestrian environments, Use of smaller circulator buses and neighborhood transit hubs in a redesigned transit system, • Continued enhancement of the parkway system, and • Continued use of permit parking to protect residential areas adjacent to high parking demand commercial and institutional uses. � Comprehensive Plan �5 � GP 10. Pedestrian Safety and Quality. Saint Paul will strengthen the quality of the pedestrian eacperience in residential and business areas. Transpor-tation • and Land Use chapter policies support: • Compact "urban village"neighborhoods with commercial, civic and institutionai activity, • Physical definition of streets and pubiic piaces by architecture and landscape design, • A neighborhood traffic calming program, Physical changes, where appropriate, to slow traffic and protect pedes- trians, and • Street, building design and a mix of uses downtown to promote pedes- trian use. Downtown Saint Paul Downtown Saint Paul fixlfills many roles. It is an important regional office � center and home base for majar corporations, a civic/government center for the State of M[nnesota and the Twin Cities metropotitan region, a civic center for the east metro region and the city, an entertainment and cultural center of significance to the state, and a distinctive urban residential neigh- borhood. While it shares a loss of retail dominance with other downtowns, it retains a retail core, and new retail strength can be anticipated as a com- plement to the growth of other functions downtown. �` GP 17. Vbrant Downtown. The city, business community, state government and cultural institutions, as well as the Saint Paul community at large, will work together to ensure that downtown growth continues and that each increment of new development and renovation contributes to the down- town's most vibrant future. Building on the strength of its setting, history and character, we will guide development of the public and private realms to realize the objectives of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Devetopment Framework." This plan and the Land Use, Housing, and Parks and Recreation chapters of the Comprehensive City Plan support: Continued development of Wabasha Street as a main thoroughfare • connecting the Minnesota Capitol, the Mississippi River and the west side community through the downtown, 16 City of Saint Paul � I `� • • Continued evolution of downtown with all the uses that make it a vital 24-hour community and center for the east metro region: office, retail, • govemment, culture, entertainment, visitor accommodations and housing, • Development of building design guidelines and circulation improve- ments which emphasize a quality environment for pedestrians, • Full attention to pedestrians, bicycles, transit and traffic movement in the design of street improvements, • Realization of the land use concepts of the Comprehensive City Plan for the Minnesota State Capitol area, and continued development of the Capitol campus as an open part of the city related comfortably to down- town and adjacent communities, and • Investment in transportation and public access infrastructure to facili- tate the redevelopment of the riverfront downtown. � GP 12. Access and Parking Downtown. Expansion of parking facilities down- town will be needed for increments of growth. These should be balanced with substantiai improvement to transit as well as bicycle and walking access. The need for parking space also should be reduced by collaborative management • of parking resources and by incentives for car pools and transit use. � GP 13. Residential Downtown. The residential role of downtown Saint Paul will increase substantially, with perhaps as many as 3,000 new housing opportunities in linked urban villages in and around the business district. Urban village opportunities are outlined in the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework." Corridors for Growth Ciorridors that have served transportation throughout Saint Paul's history structure the city and are the lifelines of connection and access. Changes in transportation have left several corridors with vacant and under-used land that is an important resource for a period of growth. Recent corridor studies have identified major opportunities to create jobs and housing in the River � Corridor, the Midway/University Avenue Corridor, the Phalen Corridor, the Great Northem (Como) Corridor, and the West Seventh Corridor. Comprehensive Plan �7 Figure A: Five Corridors for Growth �J �° GP 74. Corridor Development Work should continue with community and � business organizations and other units of government on planning and redevelopment projects along corridors where several growth opportunities are interconnected. Itt the process, Saint Pau] will seek new ways to inte- grate business and industrial job creation with housing development and the improvement of existing neighborhoods. � GP 15. River Corridor. Saint Paul will continue to give high priority to the transformation of the River Corridor. While some industrial uses should remain, particularly in parts of the southem portion, this corridor is evolv- ing from a predominantly heavy industrial past into a renewed center for activity and enjoyment of Saint Paul's natural setting. The "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework" communicates the vision and the guidelines for development of the central portion of the River Corridor. While the Framework itself is not an element of the Comprehensive Plan, its principles and vision are endorsed as appropriate for that portion of the River Corridor. The Land Use, Transportation, and Parks and Recreation chapters support: Continuation of appropriate improvement and development of the River • Corridor as a priority, making sure changes are consistent with the enhancement of its natural ecology, 18 City of Saint Paul 9 9 -8y • Mixed use urban village development to extend the urban fabric back to the river, �• Improvement of public access and recreational uses throughout the corridor, • Continuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use chapter, • Restriction of new development in the floodplain (or within 300 feet of the water) to those entities which have a relationship to the river, need a river location or can enhance the river environment, • Transportation investments that emphasize pedestrian opportunities and strengthen neighborhood connections, and • Maintenance of Shepard Road and Wamer Road as principal transporta- tion arteries. • Development consistent with Critical Area standards and the River cor- ridor plan to be revised in 1999. GP 16. University Avenue Corridor/Midway. Continued investment in the Midway Corridor will support its strong potential for business development as a readily accessible area between the downtowns of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. University Avenue should continue to be developed as both a transit corridor and a mixed use business street, serving city and neighbor- hood needs. The Land Use and Transportation chapters support: • Redevelopment at key sites that are identified in the Land Use chapter, • Higher densities of households and employment along the corridor that require and support better transit, • Redesign and redevelopment to make the auto-oriented regional shop- ping area comfortable for pedestrians and to enhance storefront, pedes- trian-oriented commercial centers along the avenue, and • Establishment of the "central corridor"(of which University Avenue is a spine) as the top priority for the development of transitways, busways and/or LRT, in the region. � GP 17. Phalen Corridor. The Phalen Corridor initiative should be carried � through and serve as a model for neighborhood revitalization work. The Land Use and 'I7ansportation chapter policies support: Comprehensive Plan 19 • Redevelopment of significant sites within the corridor and continued pursuit of the corridor's integrated goals, • Continued work to fund construcUon of the boulevard and other infra- � structures, and Development and connections that will strengthen the urban village characteristics of neighborhoods adjacent to the corridor. � GP 18. Open Space and River Connections. In corridor planning and develop- ment, close attention must be paid to environmental quality, and Saint Paul must take advantage of opportunities to enhance and extend the open space network formed by the river corridor, bluffs, parks and parkways. Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced along river tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor, through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. '� GP 19. West Seventh Street (Riverview) Corridor. Reinvestment evident in West Seventh neighborhoods and along the street itself are evidence of new life in this corridor. Tank farms between the street and the river corri- dor have given way to a new business park and new opportunities for other � neighborhood development. New planning underway will set direction for a new entry to Saint Paul at the southeast end, a stronger community busi- ness street here and new housing and business opportunity. A good portion of our opportunities for a new and better relationship with the river lie within this corridor which has recently been identified as the Riverview 'IYansit Corridor by Ramsey County and included in this plan's identified major corridors for transit improvement. The Land Use and Transportation chapters support: • Increased housing and transit-supportive development Development that takes maximum advantage of river corridor views, enhances the river corridor and is consistent with corridor development policies. Appropriate improvement of public transit in this corridor linking down- town Saint Paul to the international airport and the southwest metro region, and • A re-designed entry to the City at the river. r1 LJ 20 City of Saint Paul a 9-8y � GP20. Great Northern (Como) Corridoc A 1997 plan provides direction for redevelopment of the Ma�cson Steel/Dale Street Shops area and a vision for • this larger corridor of which it is a part. The entire corridor with the railroad as its spine runs from the Phalen Corridor at 35E through the Empire Builder Industrial Park and west to the Bridal Veil Industrial Park in Minneapolis. This Corridor and the Phalen Corridor have the potential to provide a ribbon of new industry and household-supporting jobs with relat- ed neighborhood development that runs between several of the city's older neighborhoods. Plan chapters support: . Implementation of the Great Northem Corridor Community Vision of 1997 and redevelopment planning for additional corridor sites. • Extension of Pierce Butler Road into the Dale Street Shops site and improvement of truck connections to 35E. Reforestation of the eactended corridor, strengthening its amenity value for ali Midway neighborhoods. Further study of the urban village potential of the Dale/COmo area with new housing near the new Front Street Elementary School. � Twansportation The public facilities for movement within a city, the system for transportation and circulation in all its forms, shape the city and create value for places with- in it. In recent years, a new set of values has begun to influence our trans- portation system, values that place at least as much priority on the quality of places as on the speed and ease of travel through them. In view of increased congestion projected with regional and city growth, as well as the commuting needs of the city's population, strong efforts are needed to improve public transit and to develop land use approaches that will reduce travel needs. � GP27. Travel and System Management. The city needs to encourage fewer and shorter trips and promote alternatives to single-occupant automobiles. Policies to accomplish this in the Transportation chapter include: i • Full support for an excellent and adequately funded bus system, Comprehensive Plan 21 • ToUOfMantl DormbWn NlnnNpplls To Ninneapolk WnMCtln9b Xbwatlu CortiGpr ToFOrt$Mllipy, � xbw�n.cwna«,umorc ana wm m�me.iea To 3M antl � eaekm suCwbs Figure B: Trdnsit Corridors , In cooperation with other agencies, investment in the infrastructure necessary for transit, car pools, biking and walking, NIanagement of land use to reduce trips and promote altemative modes of travel, and Promotion of regional development and investments that support alternative transportation modes and reduce trips, including a better balance between jobs and housing, and reduction of "sprawl" development. � GP22 Transportation Corridors. Redesign of the bus system should occur to provide excellent service along major corridors (limited stop "spines") and better intra- and inter-neighborhood service, with a continued strong focus on regular route service to the downtown and concentration on regular- route weekday service. Recommended corridors are illustrated in the pro- posed Transit Corridors Map. (p.17) � . 22 City of Saint Paul ��.w... fimetleManO ndlMm aYhiOya TO Yepl9YOOE Gall ____..._ _____ aa naNam au0urbs • • r. Economic Opportunity . Economic development is well established as a clear priority for Saint Paul, and healthy economic growth is a well recognized reality today. Compared to other parts of the region, the city is lacking in readily avail- able land for industrial use, a deficit that is being addressed in part by cleanup of land polluted by eariier industrial uses. A city with such com- plexities and competing interests as Saint Paul can present a challenging and costly environment for business development, a situation addressed by many measures in recent years, but one requiring continuing attention. The city's large work force gives it a strong strategic advantage for eco- nomic growth, but carefully targeted efforts are needed to connect that work force successfully with emerging economic opportunity. Other strate- gic advantages include the city's location, its strength as a civic and gov- emment center, and its educational, cultural and community resources. Therefore, high priorities for Saint Paul now are: to ensure that land resources with potential for business use are made available and used to their maximum economic and community benefit; • to ensure a welcoming and supportive environment in the city for new . and existing businesses, and; • to improve the education, skill and work-readiness level of the popula- tion for emerging economic opportunity. Other portions of this summary address the vitality of places for business in special districts and neighborhoods as well as potential for special corridor development. Background sources for the summary policies which follow include the Economic Development Strategy adopted in 1990; the Citywide Economic Agenda prepared for Mayor Coleman in 1994; and the continuing collabora- tive work with community, business and education partners, particularly on the task of shaping a work force development strategy appropriate for today's economy and Saint Paul's population. + GP23. Land Resources: Under-used Land and Brownfield Reuse. The city will take ful] advantage of the under-used land in Saint Pau] for continuing growth and fuifill the commitments of its Brownfield's Showcase Community designation. In partnership with the Port Authority and commu- • nity-based organizations, it will identify under-used and/or polluted land and provide a mechanism for quantifying remediation costs and identifying Comprehensive Plan 2S responsible parties. Then it will establish a yearly program for leveraging and investing scarce resources for remediation of the sites with the highest priority. . � � GP24. Intensive Use of IndusViai Land. Density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of city sites with industrial and/or business potential. Office uses may offer greater potential than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. � GP25. Integrated Neighborhood Improvement. Development of any major land area for business and industrial use should be regarded as an opportunity for improvement of the larger neighborhood of which it is a part. "� GP26. Business DevelopmeM: Coilaboration. There must be an effort to con- rinue the support and improvement of strong collaborative working relation- ships between major economic development agencies. These include the city, the Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Paul Port Authority, the Capital City Partnership, the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporarion and the Metro East Development Partnership. Communication and collaboration between resi- dents and businesses is especially important in neighborhood planning. � � GP27. Business Developmenc Industry Clusters. In collaboration with the Economic Development Partnership, the city must nurture the growth of industries, especially those within globally-competitive clusters with an established base in the east metro region (printing, machine tools, medical devices, computers and software, finance) as well as entry-level opportuni- ty sectors (retail, hospitality, human and personal services, health care, manufacturing and business and automotive services). The Mayor's Information Technology Council is an example of an industry/govemment partnership building on the strengths of the community for a particular seg- ment of industrial growth. • GP28. Business Development: Business Resources. With the help of the Business Review Council, Saint Paul will ensure that its department ser- vices and regulatory measures will be responsive to changing needs and foster business growth and appropriate accommodation of businesses in neighborhoods and business districts. In addition, the city will provide active outreach through the Business Resources Center of the Department of Planning and Economic Development to businesses that need informa- • Uon or other assistance. 24 City of Saint Paul ♦ GP29. Work Force Development By overcoming deficiencies in education and training, Saint Paul can expand economic opportunity for its citizens. • It must work as a fiill partner in the Community Employment Partnership to provide support to job seekers through community-based Work Resource Hubs and to provide support to employers through a private-sector work force development agency. The public schools should partner with the pri- vate sector, ensuring that graduates gain the skills appropriate to employer needs in the 21st century. Regional coordination of work force develop- ment also should be encouraged. � GP 30. Work Force Readiness: Social Support. Saint Paul will support Ramsey County and service-providing agencies in their efforts to improve the avail- ability of quality child care so that this is not an obstacle to participation in the work force. The city will encourage adequate state and federal funding for child care and other family support, and recognize transportation, hous- ing, child care and other family support as components of economic devel- opment in neighborhood planning. � Community Development �n the Communiry DevelopmentAgenda completed in 1996 by a broad part- nership, a"community development" is defined as "the act of working together to ensure that Saint Paul is a nurturing environment for families and individuals and a good place to do business."Most of the components of the Comprehensive Plan outlined here have a bearing on community development by this definition. Most of the city's role in response to the four major strategies of the Communiry Development Agenda is speiled out in the other components of this plan. �' GP 31. Community Development With a broad community partnership, Saint Paul can continue to support the Community Development Agenda initia- tives: An Even Better Place to Raise Children, No 17uce With Poverly, High Quality City Living and EJfective Civic Collaboration. City government's role includes: • Collaborative leadership and program work for economic and • work force development, as outlined elsewhere in this document, Comprehensive Plan 25 q q-89 • Planning and development work for improved physical quality, improved transportation and improved housing opportunities, and Supportive coilaborarion and mayoral leadership, where appropriate, for • progress in areas where the city does not have the major program role, including education, child care, and welfare reform. � GP32 Centers for Community Life. The city, in partnership with its commu nities, will work to strengthen the community building role of parks and recreation centers by providing for safe and secure access, programming that contributes to stable neighborhoods and the removal of barriers to par- ticipation, as outlined in the Parks and Recreation chapter. The city will continue to support partnership efforts to strengthen family and community life, such as FamiIy Resource Centers and Achievement Plus schools. ♦ GP33. Inclusive Community We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. • Regional Interdependence Saint Paul's growth and development are interwoven with those of the entire region. A sustainable future for the'IWin Cities region requires replacement of some of the sprawling growth we can otherwise expect at the fringes with more intensive use of the existing urban fabric. Reinvestment in the region's centers is a key commitment of regional growth strategy. Saint Paul's ability to sustain itself as a dynamic urban center has been hampered by inequities in the burden of costs for our present regionai development pattern. These inequities reflect a history of private invest- ment and public policy that has supported easy e3cpansion of the region at the cost of disinvestment in the older centers. � GP34. Tradi6onal Strengths. To realize the best of what our historic urban fab- ric and new urban development can contribute to the region, Saint Paul will � build on its traditional urban neighborhood and city center strengths. 26 City ofSaint Paul �9-89 • GP35. Civic, Business and Cultural Centers. Saint PaUl will maintain vital, inviring civic, business and cultural centers at the heart of the city and realize • the full potential of other city business centers for additional economic activiry. • � GP36. Opportunitles for Growth. As a growing city with expanding economic and urban residential opportunities, Saint Paul will accommodate a signifi- cant share of regional growth in housing and jobs over the next 20 years, at least 6,000 additional households and 11,000 additional jobs by the year 2020. � GP37. Regional Collaboration. Collaborating with neighboring communities and other regional jurisdictions will help Saint Paul achieve development that reinforces a strong, sustainable role for the city and the region as a whole, including improved transit, a broad range of housing choices, and appropriate restoration/development of the river corridor. s GP38. Shared Costs. Saint Paul will support efforts to correct inequities in taxes, fees and infrastructure investment which perpetuate disinvestment in the central city and to shift the priority in the use of public resources to reinvestment. Efforts inciude those recently initiated to review and restruc- ture Sewer Accessibility Charges, restraints on extending the Interstate . Highway network, and the targeting of redevelopment resources, including funds for cleanup of polluted land. In particular, the city will insist on broadly shared responsibility for meeting affordable housing needs. � Comprehensive Plan Z� Credits The Saint Paul Planning Commission Gladys Morton, Chair* Esperanza Duarte' )ennifer Engh* Carole Faricy Litton Field, )r. Anne Geisser, Chair, Comprehensive Planning Committee* Dennis Gervais Steve Gordon Georgejohnson Soliving Kong Richard Kramer* 'llmothy Mardell* Michael Margulies David McDonell* Cathy Nordin Dick Nowlin* Michael Sharpe* Imogene 'IYeichel� Mark Vaught Barbara Wencl* *Comprehensive Planning Committee Norm Coleman, Mayor The City City Council Jay Benanav Jerry Blakey Dan Bostrom, President Chris Coleman Mike Harris Kathy Lantry Jim Reiter Department of Planning and Economic Development Pamela Wheelock, Director Tom Harren, Northwest Team Leader Ken Ford, Planning Administrator Research and Planning Larry Soderholm, Ken Ford Report Production Planner-in-Charge Jean Birkholz, Secretary Kristi Kuder . � The City of Saint Paul does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, sex, sexual or affectional orientation. age, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, marital status, religion, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or � activities. 28 City of Saint Paul .� IMPLEMENTATION The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Community Review Draft January 1999 99-�9 �/ 9-89 4 Contents High Priorities for Action 3 Land Use Regulation: The Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance 4 Urban Design and Site Plan Review 6 Fiscal Tools Capital Improvement Program Housing 7 9 9 Area Plans and Geographic Focus 11 Community Partnerships Intergovernrriental Support 11 12 The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan 13 Measures required for implementation are identified in each of the chapters of the Comprehensive Plan. This chapter reviews the range of ineasures and funding resources important for implementation including continued updating of the plan itself, and identifies those steps that stand out as the highest priorities for the immediate future. 2 High Priorities for Action Certain imperatives stand out for implementation of this plan-key priorities for action without which neither the City's nor the region's stron�est future will be realized. They aze areas for action that require broad cooperation between the City, county, state, metropolitan and federal government, Saint Paul and regional institutions and agencies, and neighborhoods, business associations, and the larger business community. Action Priority 1: Housing Progress New housing for a shaze of the region's growth can complement Saint Paul's excellent and diverse housing supply and add new vigor to the city's center and our neighborhoods. Success will depend on our ability to respond to stronQ mazket interest in good urban housing opportunities. It will depend on our ability to provide for mixed-income communities in innovative ways and to provide a wide ran�e of choice in Saint Paul and throughout the region. Doing that will require a higher level of public resources to address the lowest income needs. Without a substantially more effective housing effort regionally, Saint Paul cannot make its strongest contribution to a vital region. Action Priority 2: Full Use of Land Resources The resource that attracts development at the fringe is undeveloped land. The resource that is providing for a redirection of some of the gro��Yh to strengthened city centers is previously developed land that needs to be recycled. Resources, some of them public, will have to be available to overcome the costs of pollution, obsolete infrastructure and sometimes relocation of current inefficient uses. The resources Minnesota has already directed to this effort are paying off well in economic growth. The plan identifies the increased levels of support that would allow more complete reatization of the potential over the next 20 yeazs. Action Priority 3: Better Transit Saint PauPs strongest future won't be possible under the familiar formula for transportation: more people, more cars, more congestion, more money and space devoted to parking. The land use and transportation policies of this plan, in accordance with regional policy, urge a development pattern in which transit can work more effectively. Substantial progress on better public transit for the region, including a stable resource base at the state level, is essential for Saint Paul's future. Action Priority 4: Partnership Planning and Development Our region has been known nationally for our ability to work together to solve problems, and this ability among our communities is one of Saint Paul's strengths. But it is an ability that is constantly challenged by mistrust between communities and interest groups, by entrenched / • � • interests, by political rivalries and bureaucratic channels, the press of immediate concerns and, simply, the diffic�fty of good communication. This plan does not provide a prescription for the future of every block in Saint Paul. It's effectiveness depends heavily on more refined planning or cooperative decision-making at the neighborhood and special district level and around specific issues. Cooperation of adjacent community, regional, state and federal policy makers and agencies is critical as weil. Excellent models of partnership effort mentioned elsewhere in this plan point the way: the partnerships for growth corridors, for downtown and the riverfront, for housing and community development, for neighborhood planning, and for workforce and economic development. Land Use Regulation: The Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance Provisions of the zoning ordinance particularly important for plan implementation: For the most part, improvement and redevelopment that meets the standards of the Comprehensive Plan can be realized under the existing Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance with some strategic amendments. The current zoning code was developed with careful attention to the small lot pattern of the city's older neighborhoods. Several provisions and characteristics of the current code are useful for realization of the intensified urban fabric proposed by the land use plan. The RT "duplex" zones designed for the extensive small-lot early neighborhoods accommodate residential structures at densities typical of town house development. A fine-grain zoning pattern has evolved at neighborhood business centers that supports traditional neighborhood mix, though amendments can provide greater flexibility and encouragement for mixed use. New zoning districts devised through special studies for Grand Avenue were intended particularly to help maintain the Avenue's commercial-residential mix and pedestrian scale. These have been successful and may provide useful models for other streets. Space devoted to parking downtown is a matter of market demand; the zoning code would not prevent development that would rely more heavily on transit. River Corridor Ordinance amendments to the zoning code and bluff protection/steep slope deuelopment regulations provide special protection for sensitive areas. Subdivision regulations included in the zoning code help ensure that any new subdivision of land is done in a manner that provides appropriate access and otherwise a good fit with public networks and is consistent with the comprehensive plan. No amendments to the subdivision regulations are proposed at this time for purposes of plan implementation. Changes to zoning ordinance needed to further plan implementation Zoning ordinance changes are needed to provide greater flexibility for mixed use development and to enhance protection of the urban neighborhood fabric in Saint Paul and ensure its most effective extension in new development. The following measures will be taken in the immediate future, 1999 - 2004: Provide an urban village overlay district that will provide flexibility for density and mixed use, include basic urban village design guidelines, and provide for design plan enforcement Consider other plan overlay districts to enhance plan implementation in azeas of transition. Review neighborhood commercial zoning and modify provisions to: Increase transit-supporting multi-family zoning where appropriate; Reduce parking requirements for new development, perhaps by 20 percent; Require new commercial buildings to be built out to the sidewalk--e.g., at least 40% of the lot frontage to be built within ten feet of the front lot line; Require parking lots to be built to the side and reaz--e.g., no more than 60 percent of the lot frontage can be occupied by pazking. 4. Where city-wide zoning changes are not appropriate or not completed, implement the measures above through individual neighborhood planning and zoning efforts. 5. Decide whether any of the downtown design guidelines from the Saint Pau1 on the Mississippi Development Framework (pp. 38-48) should be put into the Zoning Code, e.g., "extroverted" building design with doors and windows facing the sidewalk; design at downtown "gateways" and along "prime edges," buildings of appropriate scale, etc. Adopt amendments required to bring river comdor zoning into conformance with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area management plan and meet other needs as determined in the River Conidor Plan revision process of 1999. 7. As plans are completed, make zoning map revisions along: (a) the River Cor�idor; (b) University Avenue Corridor; (c) Phalen Corridor; (d) Great Northern Corridor; (e) Riverview Corridor. 8. For developable sites along freeways and major arterial streets, rezone land in 1999 if the desired future land use is known. For sites where the future land use is not known, the land can be designated as a"study area" and the current zoning can be left in place. 9. Rezone land for residential development when the Planning Commission's work with district councils identifies sites and appropriate zoning categories for them. 10. Propose an accessory apartment ordinance to permit "mother-in-law" apartsnents in owner- occupied homes greater than 2,000 square feet if it is determined that owner-occupancy can be established as a condition. I 1. Enact higher tree planting standards in the River Corridor and maybe in the proposed greenway corridors; strengthen tree planting standards generally. � r� 12. Monitor zoning experience and municipal zoning ordinance development nationally to determine the additional amendment or major zoning ordinance replacement that will likely be called for in the period 2005 - 2010. Additional, and perhaps for extensive, amendment will be required beyond 2004. Many cities aze experimenting with new zoning approaches that have the promise of stronger support and encouragement for the fine-grain, mixed-use and mixed-income well-designed development that this plan envisions for Saint Paul. Characteristics of newer zoning approaches include: • greater emphasis on built form; less on the specifics of use • recognition of the special character of districts within the city • better graphic communication of standards • use of performance criteria where appropriate • simplification of procedures and quick processing where clear standards aze followed • more flexibility for development that supports a strong pedestrian environment and relies more heavily on public transit While implementation of this plan can be supported with a number of amendments to the current zoning ordinance, by the yeaz 2005 when the current ordinance is 23 years old, virtually complete replacement of the ordinance may be in order. Approaches for revision should be evaluated over the next few years and major revision scheduled for 2005-2010 if indicated. Urban Design and Site Plan Review . All proposals for development in Saint Paul with the exception of one and two-family residential structures are reviewed through a coordinated, inter-departmental process that addresses zoning, public safety, emergency vehicle access, traffic ingress and egress, storm water management, parking and landscaping and any standards or guidelines for building form and other urban design concerns that apply to the area. Though design guidelines developed for some areas do not have the force that an official design district/design review process with a design reviec�' board would provide, they can be the basis for recommendations and negotiated provisions in the site plan review process. The Saint Paul Design Center was established in 1998 to focus a new level of concern for urban design considerations engendered by the completion of die Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework and, specifically, to ensure implementation of that plan's vision and design principles. Downtown and the river corridor remain the primary focus of the design center's work, though the intention is to support application of design principles throughout the city as much as possible. The core principles of the Development Framework are applied throughoLit the CiYy, and this application is formalized with the adoption of this comprehensive plan. In the 1999-20Q4 period, the foIlowing are important for realization of the quality objectives of the comprel�ensive plan: • Full support for development of the collaborative Saint Paul Design Center and expansion of its purview to include at least other major corridor redeveIopment; • Continued and expanded use of design guidelines for neighborhood commercial centers and other special districts that aze the subject of azea plans; • Monitoring of success with design guidelines and design center negotiations and consideration of the need for implementation of formal design district provisions; and • Continued vigorous attention to design objectives important to city and neighborhood objectives where publically owned land or other public resources aze used. Fiscal Tools Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Tax Increment Financing is a critical tool for re-development and pollution cleanup of the central city. The City of Saint Paul contends with extraordinary public costs to remove blight that otherwise prevents redevelopment and job creation. Restrictions created by legislation in recent yeazs have limited the application of TIF not only for economic development, but also for redevelopment and environmental remediation. Concurrently, State and Federal resources have also diminished. The City of Saint Paul will continue to support changes in governing regulations that ease the limitations for redevelopment and pollution cleanup. Additionally, the City of Saint Paul will encourage the State to review ttie job location rule in light of the demonstrated need to locate economic growth near concentrated populations of potential employees. Other City Tools STAR - Sa1es Tax Revitalization Program, also know as the "`/z cent sales tax program." Star is a flexible funding program that provides support for creative local community responses to development opportunities., It will be the responsibility of the STAR board as well as the Planning Commission and the City Council in their reviews to ensure that STAR projects individuaAy and the STAR program as a whole are contributing effectively to realization of Comprehensive Plan objectives. CIB - Capital Fmprovement Bonds. Capital improvement bonds provide the most basic funding for yearly investment in capital facility improvements. (See description of capital improvement budgeting below.) Government Aid The City of Saint Paul uses funds from multiple government sources for housing, economic development, infrastructure, and other purposes. The following is a non-ezchaustive list of current major sources that aze important for plan objectives. Federal Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) 7 s. ! • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - many applications • Emergency Shelter Grant - McKinney Funds • Economic Development Initiative • Enterprise Zone Enterprise Community Funds (EZEC) • Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) - multiple programs • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)/Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) • Welfare-to-Work • Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) • Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) of the Department of Justice • TEA-21, formerly known as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) • Low-Income Tax Credits • Authority to Issue Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonds, generally for mortgage or rental housing (also State) State • Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) - multiple programs • Department of Economic Security (DES) - multiple programs such as youth training • Brownfields funding through muItiple agencies including Department of Trade and Econamic Development and the Metropolitan Council • Children, Families, and Learning - funds multiple after school youth programs/jobs through the Parks and Recreation Department • Minnesota Department of Health - maternal Child Health Grant • Department of Public Safety Strikeforce Program = anti-criminal gang activities Regional • Livable Communities Accounts - Metropolitan CounciI Intermediaries/Partnering Organizations Millions of dollars are leveraged for City purposes through partnerships ar collaborations with intermediaries and other organizations. Currently the non-profit Friends of Saint Paul Public Libraries is undertaking a capital campaign to raise over a million dollars for the library system. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation has partnered with the City and other organizations to invest tens of million of dollars during the 1990s in housing and economic development. Such partnerships are critical for a vibrant Saint Paul and to realization of plan objectives. The following list identifies some current partners. • HRA - Housing and Redevelopment Authority • Port Authority • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) • Minuesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) - multiple programs • Family Housing Fund Metropolitan Library Services Agency (MLSA) Friends of Saint Paul Public Libraries Capital Improvement Program The Capital Allocation Policy is a critical link between the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan and capital budget decisions. The Policy guides departments and community organizations in development of proposals and the Capital Improvement Budget Committee as well as other policy bodies in evaluating them. The Planning Commission reviews the policy and recommends revisions every two years. A major simplificarion and refocus of the policy is recommended for the 1999 budget yeaz. Experience has indicated that the complexity of the previous policy is out of scale with the magnitude of discretionary funds in the process in any one year, and also mitigates against a cleaz focus on priorities. A new Capital Allocation Policy w be completed early in 1999. Saint PauPs Capital Improvement Program also is somewhat redesigned for 1999 for greater efficiency and clarity. Preparation of a five-year capital improvement program will be overseen by the Capital Improvement Budget Committee, the broadly representati� body that continues to play a central role in the City's Unified Capital Improvement Budgetina Process. Housing The Saint Paul Housing Plan represents a 10-20 year agenda for both the City of Saint Paul and the many partner-agencies whose policies and programs both have an impact on and aze essential to Saint Paul's efforts to meet its goals. Those partners range from H(JD and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to the Metropolitan Council, LISC/NEF and Famil}� Housing Fund to the Public Housing Agency and the many community development corporations who link a citywide agenda with neighborhood plans. Even within City government, responsibility for the implementation of housing policy is shared among several departments. Given the multiplicity of implementors, Saint Paul's experience has been that it is valuable to establish a coordinating body and bi-annual action programs to facilitate collaboration and ensure accountability. Bi-annual plans also meet the requirements of participation in the Metropolitan CounciPs Livable Communities Program. A Housing Coordination Team was convened in 1991 with the City Council�s approval of the Housing Policy for the 1990s. Directors, or their designees, of PED's Housing Division, the Division of Housing Code Enforcement, the Certificate of Occupancy pro�ram, the Public Housing Agency, the Housing Information Office, and a representative of the City Attorney's office have met monthly and been responsible for developing the bi-annual Housing Action Program and monitoring its implementation. Adoption of a new housing plan is a good opportunity for the City and its partners to recommit themselves to such a collaboration. Specifically to implement the comprehensive plan: 13. With the assistance ofthe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), PED should convene a task force with balanced representation from public agencies, private funders, for-profit and non-profit developers and housing and neighborhood ad� ocates to develop an annual Housing Action Plan for 1999. Such a task force should be con��ened annually to prepare and recommend to the City Council by October 1 a Housing Action Plan for the following year. 14. The Housing Action Plan should include: (a) Goals for the production of housin� units by price range. The Housing Plan calls for the production of 300-400 units each year with 60-80 being affordable to households with incomes below 80% of the regional median, with half of those being affordable to households «ith incomes below 50% of the regional median. In addition, the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five-Year Housing and Homeless Services Plan calls for the development (thouoh not necessarily construction) of 250 units of transitional housing and 650 units of permanent supportive housing throughout the county over a five year period. (b) Goals for the rehabilitation of existine housing units. (c) Goals for the provision of mortgage financing by the City. ` (d) Identification of expiring Section 8/236 contracts and plans for the preservation of the units involved. (e) Identification of lead implementing oraanizations and funding sources for each of the above goals. ( fl Identification of key zoning studies that should be initiated by the Planning Commission. (g) Identification of neighborhood plans or studies that should be undertaken in anticipation of potential development or redevelopment. Potential proposals for submission for Livable Commtmities funding also should be identified for study, planning and proposal development. (h) Federal, state and city legislative initiatives related to housing policy. Specifically, the Hoz�sing Plan ca11s for an early review of the Ciry's Replacement Housing Policy outlined in Chapter 93 of [he Administrative Code for the purpose of identifying any appropriate amenrlments and reaffirming the Cih�'s commitment to that policy. (i) Report on the extent to which the pre� ious year's goals were met. (j) Identification of appropriate amendments to the Housing Plan. 3. The City's Housing Coordinatiou Team should be convened under the leadership of a �, . �. 10 person identified and assigned by the Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development. The Team shall meet on a monthly basis and be responsible for: monitoring the City's progress toward meeting its goals as identified in the Housing Action Plan; for identifying and addressing key housing issues as they azise; and maintaining appropriate data for the purpose of developing the annual Action Plan. Area Pians and Geographic Focus Among the most important means for implementation of the comprehensive plan is the continued refinement of its provisions and their application to specific districts, corridors, sites and issues in more focused planning and action decisions. Saint Paul has a strong history of neighborhood and special district planning. The continuation of this tradition in a manner that reflects the variety of partnership arrangements through which changes aze made today is addressed in the land use chapter. For the immediate future (1999-2004) the following will be important: Guidelines for azea plans that will clarify those issues that need to be addressed for realization of this plan's objectives and help to ensure city/local azea coordination. (These guidelines will be published by the planning commission in 1999.); A strengthened review process for area plans as outlined in the land use chapter to ensure consistency with the comprehensive plan; Broad area planning participation including the business and non-profit communities; City inter-departmental liaison to area planning efforts to ensure communication, particularly where the city is not providing staff assistance to the effort. The "Corridors for Growth" described in the land use chapter focus major planning and development resources geographically to support realization of plan objectives. An inter- disciplinary focus of city staff resources as well as good on-going communication with community interest groups is further supported by the organization of the staff of the Department of Plannin� and Economic Development into four teams, each with responsibility for planning and development services to one quadrant of the city. Community Partnerships Implementation of the comprehensive plan will be successful to the extent that the vision is broadly shared and the effort involved reflects a continuation of the strong community partnership efforts evident in Saint Paul today. Examples, and this is onh a few, include neighborhood, City, non-profit, Saint Paul Schools and business cooperation in the Main Street on Payne Avenue project the very broad coalition with business leadership that oversees the Phalen Corridor Initiative including Minnesota and Ramsey County officials; the neighborhood organizations, Port Authority, Wilder Foundation and City and State representatives working together to shape and implement a vision for the Dale Street shops/Maxson Steel site and its larger corridor environment; and the extensive corporate, foundation and City cooperation 11 .. �- represented by the Capital City Partnership. Broad dissemination of this plan to ensure understanding of its major directions will support coordinated partnership work. Continued dialoQue, work, and contribution of needed resources to ensure the success of current efforts will build strong models for the future. Intergovernmental Support The actions of several governmental jurisdictions are critical to the realization of the best future for the City of Saint Paul. The need for better ongoing communication among them has been well recognized in taYation panning, in the Community Development Agenda, in the dialogue about regional growth, and in many other forums. Listed below are some of the clearest priorities for other jurisdictions for implementation of the comprehensive plan. Saint Paul Schools and the Education Communiry Promotion of strong educational opportunity for Saint Paul young people with both broad choice and neighborhood anchors; Continued support of Achievement Plus schools and good charter school alternatives; Participation in area planning efforts where individual schools have a stake; and Continued support of Community Development Agenda initiatives. Saint Paul and Minneapolis Shared interests in regional development issues Cooperation on state legislative initiatives important to the central cities Continued support ofmulti jurisdictional programs and services (Family Housing Fund, Neighborhood Housing Services) Explore possibilities for better standardization of land use and other regulatory measures between (at least) the two cities to reduce complications for redevelopment. Metropolitan Council Leadership for a strong effart to meet affordabte housing needs on a region-wide basis Vigorous planning and implementation of improved public transit including both a corridor focus and a more varied fleet of vehicles that can serve a Qreater variety of needs Implementation of growth policy including reduction of large-lot development at the fringe, protection of agricultural land, and channeling investment to redevelopment that strengthens and intensifies the region's existing urban fabric Pursuit of more adequate funding for the Livable Communities accounts State Government Support of partnership efforts such as corridor redevelopment Continued strong attention to low income housing needs and more adequate funding for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency programs Strengthened and consistent support for public transit including a stable funding base Adequate support for brown field cleanup and related site preparation costs to increase the 12 rate of reclamation of underused and polluted industrial land Implementation of the Capitol Area Comprehensive Plan and continued cooperative work with the City of Saint Paul for implementation of the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework. Federal Government Adequate funding for continued maintenance and improvement of Saint PauPs outstanding public housing Restoration of £unding for housing certificates and vouchers for the lowest income households Full funding of the Transportation Efficiency Act. The Saint Pau{ Comprehensive Plan The 20-yeaz period kept in view for development of comprehensive plan policies is more unknown than known. Maintenance of the plan as a useful statement of Saint Paul development policy will require reb lar attention to policy update needs that will be indicated by experience and by changes in the environment. Within a few yeazs, the impacts of regional growth for this period, and of the implementation of regional growth policy, may look somewhat different from what we envision today. National and global economic trends have a significant impact on the 1999 outlook and significant changes in those trends could have significant policy unplications. Changes in metropolitan, state and federal policy affecting urban development will inevitably require new policy responses from the City. Experience with consistency provisions-the state law provision that gives precedence to the comprehensive plan in case of a conflict with the zoning ordinance-may suggest some policy revision. To ensure the continuing usefulness of the comprehensive pian the City will in 1999-2000 institute a biennial monitoring, review and amendment process for all city-wide chapters. By 2005, a review of the plan should be made to identify those areas where policy obsolescence requires major chapter replacement, and a complete revision should be completed by 2010. 13 QR�IGINAL • Council File # -`�� Resolution # Green Sheet # G �a tg Presented By RESQLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MtNNESOTA Referred To Committee_ Date �3 1 Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan: S�a.ry and General Policy 2 3 WI�EREAS, the Planning Commission has recommended a Sumiziary and General Policy Chapter for the 4 updated Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, and 5 C WFIEREAS, the Summary and General Policy was the subject of a public heazing before the City Council 7 and the Planning Commission on December 7, 1998, and 8 9 WHEREAS, the Summary and General Policy fulfills the p1an update objective to have a brief generai 10 statement of development policy that encompasses the plan's several chapters, and 71 12 WHEREAS, under Minnesata StatuCes Chapter 473.864, Subd. 2, Saint Paul is required to update its � Comprehensive Plan regularly and to submit an updated Plan by ttie end of 1998 (or to an extended date), 15 RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saint Paul adopts the Summary and General Policy as an ! 6 amendment to the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan contingent on further review by adjacent communities and 7 the Metropolitan Council. doption Certified by Conncil Secsetary BY �e �=� proved by Mayox: te `( v!�Z ( By' Fozm Approved by City Hy: � Approved by r r By: l!�/a�vr+�, 1-IT-99 �� , � ,dopted by Council: Date 1\ \ �ti �y `�� alg - 8'9 � u CI� QF` .SA�T pA.�. 390 Ciry Ho11 Telephone: 651-26fr8310 Norm Coleman, Mayor IS V✓est Ke[IOgg Boulev¢rd Facrimile.' 65I-228-8513 Saint Pau1, MN �5102 3anuary 12, 1999 City Council President Dan Bostrom Councilmembers Dear Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers: T am pleased to transmit and recommend for your adoption two chapters for the updated Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan which the Planning Commission has prepared: the Housing Plan, and the Summary and General Policy. The Suminary and General Policy will provide a brief and broad statement of City development policy and will help to clarify the interrelationship among the plan chapters. It sets out the important themes for our next several years of progress that underlie the • entire plan. As you know, considerable community discussion lies behind this draft of the 5aint Paul Housing Plan. Some earlier drafts, and, before these, an issue paper were the subject of discussion at numerous community meetings and at the public hearing which you sponsored jointly with the Planning Commission. I believe the new draft provides significant direction for our community effort and recognizes well the broad range of partnership efforts that progress on our housing objectives requires. Most importantly, it recognizes the importance of addressing the housing needs of households of all incomes—those who live here now and those who might be attracted to move into the city. I commend it for your careful consideration. I recommend that the City Council adopt both of these contingent on the Metropolitan Council and adjacent community reviews still to come. i erely, 0 � �'�--�—� C'� ^'1 Norm Coleman Mayor � q� � �� Memorandum CfTY OF SAINT PAUL Date: To: cc: From: Subject: � � March 10, 1999 City Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers Planning Commission Chair Morton and Commissioners Ken Ford Adjacent Community Review of our Comprehensive Plan One requirement of state guidelines for completion of our comprehensive plan is submission of a plan draft to all adjacent communifies (including counties and school districts) for their review, giving them opportunity to let us lmow of any conflicts they see with their own development goals and policies. This step has been completed, and we have received responses from the City of Minneapolis and Dakota County. Dakota County Dakota County has found our policies to be generally consistent with theirs and have suggested a number of issues they'd like to see us emphasize in implementation. Since they represent several communities just down-river from Saint Paul, much of their interest focuses on the river corridor and the points they raise should be addressed in the update of the river corridor chapter now underway. Dakota County has mapped waste disposal and contaminant release sites on the County's border with Saint Paul, and they would like to be assured of our support in protecting surface water resources (such as the river) from contaminating dischazge. We suggest three amendments to the Summary and General Policy Chapter to recognize this and other concerns: Page 12, General Policy 3. Water Resources, add bullet: protection of surface water resources from inapQrogriate dischazees from waste disposal and contaminant release sites Page 18-19, General Policy 15. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: • Continuarion of industrial uses in portions of the comdor idenrified in the Land Use chapter with correcrive acrions wherever necessary to mifieate adverse environmental im aD Ct Of existin industrv includine inap�ro discharge from waste disuosal and contaminant release sites. a�� Page 20, General Policy 18, Open space and River Counectious. Modify language to make it clear that the objecrive of strengthening neighborhood connecrions to the river is not limited to neighborhoods along river tributaries: Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced � , through appropriate trail and road connecfions, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer particulaz opporiunities for enhanced connections. The Dakota County review menrions particular support for, and willingness to work with Saint Paul on: • Collaborating with neighboring communiries and other regional jurisdictions to achieve development that reinforces a strong, sustainable role for the city and the region as a whole... • Supporting the green corridors project of the DNR and the restorafion and protection of natural areas generally. • Providing regional trail connections • Pedestrian and bicycle faciliries on the planned I-35 bridge • Improvement of transit • The street classificarion which they find consistent with Dakota County's functional classification system. � City of Minneapolis In their review, Minneapolis finds our housing and land use chapters to be compatible with the Draft Minneapolis Plan and mentions the following as important azeas of consistency between the two cities in policy direction: • Protecting and enhancing neighborhoods • Concepts of neighborhood livability and economic vitality • Supporting a wide variety of housing types and location choice for all households • Supporting a variety of housing densities and housing designs comparible with our neighborhoods � , . .. r city of saint paul planning commission resolution file number 99-04 date January 8, 1999 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL POLICY OF THE SAINT PAUL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, a summary and general statement of development policy is a key component of an updated Saint Pau{ Comprehensive Plan needed to communicate the essential elements of the plan to the community, inform City development activities and meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, Minnesota Statutes Sections 473 and 473H; and WHEREAS, a draft document was published for community review and discussion in October 1998; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held jointly by the Saint Paul Planning Commission and the Saint Paul City Council on December 7, 1998, notice of which was published in the Saint Paul � Legal Ledger November 24 and 25, 1998; and WHEREAS, the Commission finds broad community support for the policy directions recommended by the plan integrating neighborhood concerns within the broader City-wide goals in the pfan; and has made revisions to the draft in response to specific concerns raised and information provided in the course of the community discussion and public hearing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the City of Saint Paul approves the Summary and General Policy as an element of The Saint Pau! Comprehensive Pian, contingent on review by adjacent communities and the Metropolitan Council; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends the Summary and General Policy to the Mayor and to the Saint Paui City Council for preliminary adoption and for inclusion in The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan to be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council. moved by Geisser seconded by in favor Unanimous � against i� �• City of St. Paul Office of the City Council 320 City Hall , Saint Paul, MN 55102 (651) 266-8570 fNTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM DATE: March 15, 1999 TO: Councilmembers and Legislative Aides G FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst �V�G�/"" SUBJECT: Summary and General Plan Amendments (3/17/99 Policy Session, Agenda Item # 35) and Housing Plan Amendments (3117/99 Policy Session, Agenda ltem # 36) Attached is a list of all proposed Summary and Housing Plan amendments that have been forwarded to me by Councilmembers over the last rivo weeks. The items are listed in page number order, according to the page being amended. Ken Ford, Nancy Homans and I have compiled and discussed the amendments. Where appropriate, comment has been provided on specific aznendments. The Council is currently scheduled to amend the Summary and Housing Plans on Wednesday Mazch 17'� and lay them over to Mazch 24�' for final adoption. Please contact me with any questions or comments on these plans. Please note that this memo and attachments have also been emailed to you. attachments cc: Ken Ford and Nancy Homans, PED Gerry Strathman and Nancy Anderson, Council Reseazch Phil Byrne and Peter Warner, City Attomey's Office � � c� ��ti � �� Q` � �� l � c�nr couNC�� PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL PLAN 1. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 12, General Policy 3, Water Resources, add bullet. Protection of surface water resources from inapprovriate discharges from waste disnosal and contaminant release sites PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo in packet. 2. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 19, General Policy IS. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: Conrinuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use Chapter, with corrective actions wherever necessary to mitieate adverse environmental impact of existing industrv includine ina�pronriate discharge from waste disposal and contaminant release sites PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo in packet. 3. Author Councilmember Bostrom, Location page 20, General Policy 18 amendment, Open space and River Connections.• Neighborhood connecrions to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced , through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River lributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer narticulaz opnortuniries for enhanced connections. PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo iR packet. 4. Author Councilmember Benanav, Location page 24, Generad Policy 24 amendment: Intensive Use of Industrial Land. Increasing density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of City sites with industrial and/or business potentiaL Factors to be considered are the number of iobs Uer sc�uare foot and ner acre and the coveraee of buildine to land. Office uses may offer greater potential than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. PED Staff Comment: This is an appropriate definition of density. Author Jerry Blakey; Location page 26: GP32. Inclusive Community. We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. The Citv, in �artnersh� with the Miiuiesota Fair Housing Center and other interested community oreanizations will coonerate to identifv and eliminate unlawful discriminarion in residenrial sales and mortg�e lendine PED Staff Comment: It is appropriate to add this emphasis here. We suggest just a little revision to eliminate some redundancy. PED ALTERNATE LANGUAGE: The Citv will c000erate with the Minnesota Fair Housin�c Center and other interested communitv orqanizations to identifv and eliminate unlawful discrimination in the Saint Paul housinq market includina the rental market the for sale- market. and mortqaqe lending. ��,'� \ CITY COUNCIL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING PLAN 1. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page I0, insert fourth paragraph: 6. Discriminarion continues. DesUite conrinuing efforts on the nart of federal, state and local govemments, bias continues to act as an impediment to a si¢nificant number of home seekers in Saint Paul. The Institute on Race and Povertv of the Universitv of Minnesota concludes that the Twin Ciries metro azea is annong the nation's most residentially seere�ated. A fair housing audit bv the Mimiesota Fair Housin� Center has found that racial bias is a sienificant factor in rental housin� PED STAFF COMMENT: Policies related to addressing discrimination and enforcement of the Federal Fair Housing Act are important additions to the Housing Plan. ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6. Discrimination continues. Despite continuinp efforts on the oart of federal, state and local qovernments, bias continues to act as an impediment to a siqnificant number of home seekers in Saint Paul. HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. 2. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 12, insert final paragraph: 43 d. Additional resources skeel� must be identified and used in partnership with those code enforcement efforts to assist properry owners to make the necessary repairs and improvements before there is significant deterioration. 3. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page I4, insert final paragraph: 5.1 a. [to encourage the construction of new units, the City should] make assisU'ng potenrial developers a riori , when necessary, in the assembly and clean up of land and the construcrion of infrashuchxre. This should include devising mechanisms to more easily transfer the ownership of tax-forfeited properties to community development corporations or other community-based organizations for development. 4. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 16, insert fznal paragr¢ph: 5.3 a. Advocate for additional reforms of those State ta�c provisions that discourage the conshuction and ownership of rental housing, includine decreasing the tax rate on residential rental �roDertv 5. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 16, insert final paragraph: 53 b. Stron 1 encourage xrajef local employers to invest in the production of rental housing to serve their workforce, on their own or in partnership with other businesses, eovernment a¢encies and nonnrofit organizarions. 6. Author Counci[member Blakey; Location page 19: 6.1a. The Legislature should commit additional funds to the Metropolitan Livable Communities Demonstration and housing accounts as an incenrive for suburban and stronger central city communiries to produce affordable housing. The citv also insists that the Metronolitan Council enforce all aereements to nrovide low-income housing in the municipalities that urilized public funds for infrastructure expansion since 1973. �� ' PED STAFF COMMENT: The link between low-income housing and infrastructure improvements that was made by the Metropolitan Council in the 1970s was related to the Council's role in reviewing applications made by cities for federal parks and open space funds. Positive reviews on those applications was related to the city's performance in providing affordable housing. That review mechanism was eliminated during the Reagan administration. There are no outstanding "agreements." As federal funding programs have changed, the Metropolitan Council no longer has a role in leveraging local participation in the production of affordable housing. Instead, the Council is the lead implementing agency for the Metropolitan Livable Communities Accounts that offer incentives for the production of affordable housing. To more fully address the issues raised by this proposed amendment, planning staff recommends the following plan amendment: ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6.1.a. . Encouraqe the Minnesota Leaislature to provide adequate fundinq for communities to meet Livable Communities poals for affordable housinp and to adoot the other orovisions of the Metr000litan Council's Housina Reform Initiative includinq an incentive oroqram for communities to lower housinp construction costs associated with local requirements, a reassessment of the state buildinq code, rental housinq resources for replacement housina and rehabilitation, new rental housinq resources. fundina for homeless assistance, preservation of existina federallv assisted rental housinq and suaaort for new and rehabilitated ownership housinq. � Author Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 20, inseK new fzrst paragraph: b. The Citv and its partners should encourage the Minnesota Leeislahue to strenethen the Livable Communities Act to make it more likely to have a real impact on the availabilitv of affordable housine for the metronolitan region. This is important given the results of the recent studv bv the Universitv of Minnesota Center for Urban and Reeional Affairs which indicates that even if all the nroduction �oals of the Liveable Communities Act aze met, the reeion will still fall behind in affordable housine provision by complerion of Livable Community Plans. [This amendment will cause the renumbering of the current 6.1.b-e to 6.1.c-f.J 8. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 20: 6.2 [With its partners, the City should:] a. Lobby for the expansion of federal and, especially, state fmancing for the construction and preservarion of affordable housing throughout the region. Specificallv the Citv will nropose for current and future legislative aeendas that the state double, thereby achievine 1% of the state budget for housine, its exnenditures on housing bv sienificantiv increasin¢ its approuriations for the Mimiesota Housins Finance Agencv and for imnlementation of the Livable Communities Act. 9. Authors Counci[members Coleman ¢nd Lantry; Location page 20: 6.2 [With its partners, the City should:] b. Identify new local resources that can be used to leverage additional public and private fmancing. HRA resources represent flexible fund sources that can and should be tapped by City policy makers. Addirionally, the City should dedicate one half of its Neiehborhood STAR Program revenue for housing develonment for at least the next two years. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENT: This makes the plan consistent with the City Council action taken in CF# 99-237 directing that the STAR guidelines be revised to accomplish this on March 10, 1999. � 10. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page ll, insert second paragraph: d. The citv will lobbv the Public Housing Agencv (PHA) to create a position of ombudsman/advocate at PHA. connected with community organizations, who can work with PHA clients to fixll explain their ri ts, responsibiliries and housine onrions. PED STAFF COMMENT: The concems that led to this proposed amendment relate to difficulties faced by people looking for housing or emergency shelter. In too many instances, housing advocates tell us, people have a hard time getting good information. That issue is bigger than the Public Housing Agency and the PHA is not now in a position to assume responsibility for such a service. The nature of the issue suggests, rather, a series of recommendations related to inter-agency communication and better attention to public information. PED ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE: The Housinq fnformation Office should work with approoriate service providers to develoo and distribute orinted materials or on-line resources related to available emerpencv shelter and transitional housinq services as well as to services available from the wide variety of advocacv orqanizations. lla. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 22, amend: 6.4 Among the 300- 400 units of housing to be constructed each yeaz, 60-80 should be affordable to households with incomes below $A% 55% of the regional median, � . In the event that the total number of units consiructed falls short of 300-400, affordable units should represent 20% of those that are constructed or rehabilitated While the high cost of new construcfion, the limited availability of subsidy funds and the City's need to expand its taac base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold at market rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construction. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3A;-69an�-89 55 percent of the regional median income by 1. Investing public financing in developments where �-te 20% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $9 55 en rcent of the regional median income, �€e€ . Developments in neighborhoods with little affordable housing and strong housing markets should be encouraged to provide more than 20 percent of their units to lower income households while those in weaker mazkets should be asked to provide a smaller share. l lb. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 22: 6.4 Among the 399- 400 units of housing to be constructed or rehabilitated and rerixrned to the mazket each yeaz, HA-89 200 should be affordable to households with incomes below 30% of the regional median, with at least half, or 1� going to those to be affordable to households ' ;ne�iat2 earnine minimum wage, and annual income of $11.000. In the event that the total number of units conshucted falls short of 300-40Q affordable units should represent 20% of those that aze conshucted or rehabilitated While the high cost of new construction, the limited availability of subsidy fixnds and the City's need to expand its tax base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold a �� at market rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construcrion. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3&-68 an�$9 30 percent of the regional median income by a. Investing public financing in developments where �p-te �8°fo 50% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $8 30 uercent of the regional median income, with half of those for households � e�� minimum w�e, and annual income of $11 000. Developments in neighborhoods with little affordable housing and strong housing markets provide more than �$ 50 percent of their units to lower income households while those in weaker mazkets should be asked to provide a smaller shaze. 11 c. Author Councilmember Benanav; Location page 22: 6.4 Among the 300-400 units of housing to be conshucted, 20% 6A-$A should be affordable to households with incomes below $9% 50% of the regional median, with at least half going to those to be affordable to households with incomes below 38% 30% of the regional median. In the event that the total number of units conshucted falls short of 300-400, affordable units should represent 20% of those that aze constructed. While the high cost of new construction, the limited availability of subsidy funds and the City's need to expand its tas base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold at mazket rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construcrion. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3A;-6A-a�-&9 30 percent of the regional median income by a. Invesring public financing o� in developments where �rie ZO% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $8 30 ercent of the regional median incom°� vhni�ld h1_�______,.,: ._ _ �n r ti.:_ ___:._ i_- '- L Y . In order to accom lu ish this �oal the Citv of Saint Paul on an annual basis shall require that at least 20 nercent of all publiclv assisted housing developments of 5 units or more either rental or ownershi� shall be affordable to families at or below 30 nercent of the metronolitan median income Only developments of 5 units or mare are subiect to the 20 percent requirement PED STAFF COMMENT ON 11 a and 11 b: [Please note that PED Staff comment was prepared prior to the Benanav proposal, and therefore there are no PED staff comments on 11c.] The Planning Commission's plan recommends the construction of 300-400 units a year with 60-80 being affordable to households with incomes below 80% of the regional median and half of those being affordable to households with incomes below 50% of the regional median. If total production does not reach 300- 400, the Commission proposes that the City's goal for the production of affordable units should be 20 percent of total production. In establishing its goal, the Commission's concerns were two: (1) that the goal be achievable with identifiable resources that are likely to be available over time; and (2) that the goal be in the context of expanding the supply of units for households at ali income levels. It is important to note that the plan does not assume that the city's major initiative in the area of ��' � `� affordable housing will be in new production. The plan, rather, hopes to promote a modest addition to the city's affordable stock each year to compensate both for demolitions and improving market conditions that have resulted in higher rents. The high cost of new construction and the Iimited availability of land mean that most of the housing needs of lower income households�specially those that need family-size units—will continue to be met by the existing housing stock. A second important caveat is that production goais do not assume CitylHRA wi11 be substantiaf{y involved in the construction of all 6,000 units. Indeed, it is the expectation that many of the market units will be privately constructed—perhaps with public assistance in the assembly and Gean-up of the land. The lower the income group the housing is expected to serve, of course, the higher the public investment that will be required. The impact of the Blakey amendment would be to significantly shift the proportions of new units proposed by the plan, increasing the level of public investment that will be required. Instead of 2� percent of the units constructed each year being subsidized to the level required to make them affordable to lower incomes households, fifty percent or two hundred of the four hundred units constructed each year would require the level of subsidy (for construction and on-going maintenance) comparable to that required for public housing. Staff supports an increase in the goal for the production of affordable units and a reduction in the income threshold provided that: a. The goal remains "in scale" with the produc6on goal for market rate housing; b. The goal is linked to actual production so that if market conditions result in fewer than 300-400 total new units per year, the goal for the construction of affordable units is proportionately reduced;and c. The higher goal is linked with the identification of a new funding source. In establishing a goal for the percentage of any given project that should be affordable to lower income househoids, a minimum project size for applicable projects (e.g. 4, 8, or 12 units) should be established. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENTS ON 11c. Councilmember Benanav's proposal is para{let to one adopted in Minneapolis last summer. The Minneapolis policy reads: " that the City of Minneapolis, on an annual basis, shall require that at least 20 percent of all publicly assisted housing developments of 10 units or more, either rental or ownership, shall be affordable to families at or below 30 percent of the metropolitan median income. All publicly assisted rental projects must accept the use of Section 8 rental assistance either by site-based or portable certificate. Only developments of 10 units or more are subject to the 20 percent requirement." 12. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 23: 6.5 The City should � reaffirm its commitment to the Replacement Housing Policy outlined in Chapter 93 of the Administrarive Code, ensure that there aze units constructed to replace all housine units lost since Januarv1998, and ensure that those units contain the net number of bedrooms lost to demolirion. Exisring policy requires that City agencies proposing the demolition of conversion of afFordable rental housing shall provide the City Council with an affordable rental housing analysis outlining the impact of the proposed project on the availability of such housing in the City. Under certain circuxnstances, including when there has been a net loss of affordable rental housing units (those affordable to households with incomes below 55% of the regional median), the director of PED shall recommend the replacement of units slated to be lost. The City Council has fmal responsibility for approving, amending or rejecting that recommendarion. If the Council determines that units should be replaced, adequate funds to finance the construcrion of those replacement units within three years shall be approved by the agency proposing the project. Inasmuch as the ordinance was adopted in 1989 and has not been revised since then, any issues o�°�_� `'I relafive to its implementafion should be idenrified and addressed as part of the process of implementing the plan. PED STAFF COMMENT: Chapter 93 of the Administrative Code ouiiines the City's current Replacement Housing Policy. The basic provisions of that policy include: a. Any request to the City Counal for approvaf of a city-assisted project that wouid involve the demolition or conversion of affordable rental housing must be accompanied by an affordable rental housing analysis that describes the balance of units produced and units demolished since 1989 as weli as market conditions such as vacancy rates and prevailing rents for units of similar size in the city. b. The PED director shall review the analysis against the goals for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing that are to be set forth in an annual housing production plan filed with the city clerk by January 31 of each year. c. The PED director shall make a recommendation as to whether replacement shall be required and, if so, what kind of units shall be constructed. d. The director shall make a recommendation to replace units under any of the following circumstances: i. If the analysis shows there has been a net loss of affordable rental units; ii. If the type of affordable rental units to be demolished are the type of units that the city has determined through its housing production and preservation goals to be needed in the city and the number of units to be lost equals or exceeds 20. iii. If the affordable rental housing lost is due to an activity funded from one of three federal programs. e. The director shall propose means by which the replacement housing will be constructed and financed. f. The city council shall have final responsibility for approving, amending or rejecting the director's recommendation. The principle benefit of the existing ordinance in addressing the demolition/replacement housing issue is that decision makers, whose responsibility it is to balance competing policy objectives, have good information on the impact of the proposed demolition and a recommendation on how replacement can be achieved. It does not, however, tie the council's hands when specific circumstances might suggest replacing fewer than 100 percent of the units to be lost. It is good policy and staff recommends that we continue to rely on it—and be more diligent in meeting its requirements—as the most appropriate response to this issue. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENT: Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry have introduced a separate resolution, CF# 99-260, addressing this point. It 1) reaffrms commitment to maintaining the needed level of affordable housing in the City of Saint Paul; and 2) requests that the Director of the Planning and Economic Development Department prepare and present an affordable housing analysis per Chapter 93 of the Administrative Code by May 26, 1999 for discussion by the City Council. 13. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 26, at end: 6.10 Work to overcome bias in the housin¢ mazket. The City recognizes that over th�rt�yeazs have �assed since the oriEinal enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act nrohibitin¢ discrimination in housinE and vet bias confinues to affect Saint PauPs racial and ethnic minoriries the disabled and families with minor children. The task of overcomin2 bias must be accented as the joint resuonsibility of federal state county and Cityyovernments in cooperarion with private and nonprofit sectors To this end the City will support: 1. Svstemic testine in the housinp, mazket to identi bias 2. Enforcement of Saint Paul's human ri¢hts ordinance in respect to housine discrimination 0 �� 3. Educational and outreach pro�rams directed towazds housing providers includine landlords rental aeents real estate sales personnel mortgaee lenders uropertv apnraisers and proper[y ivsurers 4. Outreach pro�rams d'uected towards neiehborhood oreanizations and district nlanning councils to promote ¢rassroots awazeness of the nroblem 5. Creation of a Saint Paul Fair Housing Council comprised of representatives of citv �overnment. the nrivate sector, community a�encies and the Minnesota Fair Housin Center which shall advise the City in its oneoine work to idenrify and overcome unlawful bias through testine, enforcement plaunin� educarion and outreach. PED STAFF COMMENT: Policies related to addressing discrimination and enforcement of the Federal Fair Housing Act are important additions to the Housing Plan. Planning staff, however, is hesitant to recommend policies related to the establishment of a Saint Paul Fair Housing Council and systematic testing to identify bias without a better understanding of the City's Department of Human Rights' existing efforts related to Fair Housing and the budget implications of these recommendations. At the time this report was prepared, that information was not yet available. ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6.10 Work to overcome bias in the housinq market. The Citv recoqnizes that over thirtv vears have oassed since the oriqinal enactment of the Federal Fair Housinq Act prohibitinq discrimination in housinq and vet bias continues to affect Saint Paul's racial and ethnic minorities, the disabled and families with minor children. The task of overcominq bias must be accepted as the ioint responsibil� of federal state countv and Citv qovernments in c000eration with orivate and nonorofit sectors. To this end, the Citv will su000rt: 1. Enforcement of Saint Paul's human riqhts ordinance in resoect to housinp discrimination 2. Educational and outreach proqrams directed towards housinq providers includinq landlords rental aaents real estate sales oersonnel mort�c aqe lenders arooertv appraisers and orooertv insurers 3. Outreach proprams directed towards neiqhborhood orqanizations and dist�ict olanninq cou�cils to promote arassroots awareness of the problem HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. 14. Author Cauncilmember Blakey; Location page 26, at end: 6.11 The Citv must lo ace a moratorium on demolition of shuchually sound rental housin¢ units until the city's rental vacancy rate exceeds 5%. PED STAFF COMMENT: One goal shared by almost everyone involved in discussions about the Housing Plan is the construction of a significant number of new housing units in the city. Without new production, vacancy rates will continue to decline and rents will conti�ue to increase. The issue raised by this proposed amendment is whether it will encourage, discourage or have no effect on our ability—and the ability of our private and non-profit partners—to produce new housing. Because of the limited supply of vacant land—especially in the neighborhoods—the production of new units will likely involve some amount of redevelopment and the demolition of existing units. The HRA Board, it seems, should have the flexibility to decide that the demolition of one or more "structurally sound" units is justified when new units are being produced. A moratorium would reduce the Board's flexibility and, in the long run, may slow down the process of getting to the point where vacancy rates reach 5%. 15. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 26,insert at end: 6.12 The Citv and its nartners should fiurther e�lore policy outions used b�other major metropolitan azeas such 7 �� as residential hotels. local trust funds develoned from a stream of revenues from real estate transaction fees: zoning changes like inclusionarv zoning or densitv requirements. 16. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 28, at end: 73 Fair Housine Plannins. Staff assi�ned to convene the Housing Coordination Team shall also be assigned to the Saint Paul Fair Housing Council. as idenrified in 6.10 above, and shall in coonerarion with the Fair Housing monitor and evaluate the citds proQress on an annual basis. The Council shall in coo�eration with assigned staff oresent its findines for inclusion in the Housine Acrion Plan and make such recommendations as mav be necessary and prouer to fulfill the �lan and meet objectives towazds building an inclusive communitv. PED STAFF COMMENT: See comments for previous amendment. PED recommends not adopting this amendment without thorough consultation of Human Rights staff. HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. CITY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS TO THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL PLAN ADOPTED 3/24/99 �� M\ �' �o� C� d ��u�� (��$� Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 12, General Policy 3, Water Resources, add bullet: Protection of surface water resources from inapprOpriate dischaz¢es from waste disposal and contaminant release sites. 2. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 19, General Policy I5. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: Continuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use Chapter, with corrective actions wherever necessar�to miti�ate adverse environmenta] imnact of existing industry, includin�pUro�riate discharge from waste disposal and contaminant release sites 3. Author Councilmember Bostrom, Location page 20, General Policy 18 amendment, Open space and River Connections: Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced , through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer particulaz opportunities for enhanced connections 4. Author Councilmember Benanav, Location page 24, General Policy 24 amendment: Intensive Use of Industrial Land. Increasine density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of City sites with industrial and/or business potential. Factors to be considered are the nuxnber of iobs per square foot and per acre, and the coverage of building to land. Office uses may offer greater potenrial than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. 5. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 26: GP32. Inclusive Community. We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. The City will coonerate with the Mimiesota Fair Housing Center and other interested communitv oreanizations to identify and eliminate unlawful discrimination in the Saint Paul housing mazket, includin�the rental market, the for sale-market, and mort�aee lending. 6. Author Councilmember Harris; Location page 16 insert sixth bullet, GP10. [Pedestrian Safety and Quality. Saint Paul will strengthen the quality of the pedestrian experience in residenrial and business areas. Transportation and Land Use Chapter policies support:] ! School safety proezams as adonted. GREEN SHEET TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES �,.�,�.o.�� No �� 61219 � ❑2 an,.,.ou�r . � �«iac ❑,.�.��. r�� S( J��J` � � �S �.lP u ❑3 r�,��„�sr�n ❑ (CIJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Mayor Recommendation and City Council Adopeion of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan: '�_- Summary and General Policy A PL4NNING CAMMISSION _ CIB CAMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION A Sraff Update of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan IFAPPROVED Flas this pe�SOMrm ever worKed under a conhaG farMia departmeM7 YES NO Has tnie pewoMrm e.er eeen a ciy emvbv�7 YES NO Does this pe�rm possess a sidll not riormaUYP�%%� by anY wrteM cdY emP�M'ee4 YES NO Is this peisoMrtn a tarpeted veiMoY7 rES rio yain all vea answers m seoarate sheet arM attach to areen shee[ An additional chapter of the Comprehensive Plan will be completed, meeting the update requirements of State law. None Failure to meet the requirement of State law. TRANSACTIONi COETIREVRlUEBUDfiETED�qRCLEONE) VES NO ACTIVITY NUI�ER � SUMMARY AND GENERAL POLICY The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Draft for City Council Review January 1999 qq -�9 � �J � Recommended by the Saint Paul Planning Commission January 8, 199 CTTY OF SAINT PAUL DEPARTMF,NI' OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT � � � . SU M MARY AN D GENERAL POLICY The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Draft for City Council Review January 1999 Recommended by the Saint Paul Planning Commission CITY OF SAINT PAUL DEPARTMEM OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEM . � � q 4-89 .� �� u r1 LJ Contents Introduction The Setting for a New Plan Plan Vision and Themes Ten Principles for City Development Geogrephy and Environment Neighborhoods as Urban Villages Downtown Saint Paul Corridors for Growth Transportation Economic Opportuni�/ Community Development Regionallnterdependence Comprehensive Plan 5 6 7 10 11 12 16 17 21 22 25 26 3 Introduction • his document provides a broad statement of the Ciry's T development policy and, as an overview of the enlire Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, helps to clarify the interrelation- Shlp of the othel' Chapters. The summary includes general policy in the areas of Economic Development and Community Development which, though supported by policies in all functional areas, is not found in other chapters. When the 1998-1999 plan update is completed, the citywide por- tion of the Plan wiil consist of the following chapters: Directions for 2000, Plan Summary and General Policy Land Use Plan (1998, Recommended by the Planning Commission) Housing (Community Review Draft published October, 1998) Transportation (Adopted 1997) Parks and Recreation (Adopted 1997) Library Services (Adopted 1996) Water Conservation and Emergency Response Plan (1996) • River Corridor Plan (Adopted 1987 (to be updated 1999) Implementation A storm water management plan will be added at a later time, after the management plans for all of the watershed districts within the City are complete, as required by law. � Comprehensive Plan 5 ��-8`t The Setting for a New Plan Some of the most important trends that the Saint Paul community is • responding to in the effort to forge new development policy can be briefly described as follows: The 'IWin Cities region will grow over the next 20 years, adding some 550,000 people and 300,000 households according to The projections of the Metropolitan Council. The region has addressed its costly sprawling devel- opment pattern and acknowledged that a sustainable future requires more effective accommodation of growth within built-up areas, including the central cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Increased use of cars along with more households and without continued expansion of the highway system into the hinterland means that increasing traffic could well detract from the area's quality of life without altemative movement systems and new land use patterns. Both neighborhoods and business districts of Saint Paul which reflect the city's historic urban character well are highly valued today. New urbanist approaches to development gaining popularity throughout the country are evidence of a new realization of the value inherent in the historic neighbor- hood grid and sidewalk-and-neighborhood-street-connected living-shop- . ping-working that prevails in a variety of forms in much of Saint Paul. The effort well along to plant 25,000 trees, re-establishing something of the natural character of the Mississippi River corridor, is but one indication of a high level of commitment, broadly shared, to better stewardship of our nat- ural environment and renewed appreciation and enjoyment of Saint Paul's outstanding river bluff setting. The departure of some heavy industry has created new opportunity to meet this objective. Market confidence, the sometimes intangible factor that causes people to see a particular neighborhood as a sound opportunity for investment in housing or business, varies widely across Saint Paul. There's ample demon- stration of strong attraction for the urban neighborhoods the City provides. There's evidence as well that some neighborhoods are not secure and that careful strategy is required to support reinvestment. A regional shortage of housing affordable even to moderate and low-wage workers, and a very low vacancy rate for rental housing are aspects of the housing market that regional and City policy must address. There is also a growing network of vigorous partnership efforts involving business and resident organizations, non-profit organizations, city, county � and state govemments and the Saint Paul Schools addressing physical, 6 Ciry of Saint Paul . : economic and social needs, rebuilding community, working to redress the lack of confidence where it exists. � The Midway, Saint Paul's extensive business area between the two down- towns, is attracting new business investment today as it has for several years, and downtown Saint Paul is experiencing a rebirth with major new corporate building investment, a wealth of new cultural facilities, and a growing housing market. Urban analysis and experience in the United States is leading many to realize new economic potential for central city neighborhoods and their populations that have suffered from the disinvest- ment inherent in the physical and economic development patters of recent decades. And Saint Paul is well "above average" for its success in building its economy, expanding economic opportuniry by an increase of some 7,000 jobs in the 1990s. Plan Vision and Themes We envision a future Saint Paul that is the best of its present and past: � strong neighborhood communities, a vital downtown area, growing busi- ness and industry, easy, inviting connections among neighborhoods and districts and with our river and natural topography. one of Saint Paul's strengths is its traditional neighborhood fabric, made up of the strong and diverse communities within its borders. Our neighbor- hoods offer housing opportunities that are affordable and attractive to people within a very broad income range. As more and more business and living opportunities become concentrated in neighborhood business centers and near transit corridors, public transit, bicycles and walkways will become more acceptable means of transportation contributing to an improved environment. In our vision, downtown Saint Paul is a thriving 24-hour business, cultural and entertainment center, as well as a highly desirable urban residential location. New business and industry, well integrated with existing neigh- borhoods and new housing opportunities, have replaced the polluted land and outdated infrastructure of the Phalen Corridor to the east and the Great Northem Corridor to the west. University Avenue and West Seventh Street have become attractive corridors with strong business centers, new resi- . dential developments and pedestrian amenities attractive to transit riders. The Mississippi River Corridor, while continuing to accommodate a wide Comprehensive Plan variery of urban users, offers a vast green refuge at the city's heart, exten- sive new opportunities for public enjoyment, and an anchor for the park and trail system that shapes the entire city and strengthens the visibility of � its natural setting. Three themes capture the opportunities and needs of this vision. �'il'OW t�l Saint Paul welcomes new opportunities for growth. Saint Paul can realize new vitality by claiming a significant share of the new growth anticipated for the region. Opportunities are being defined in several key areas: on the downtown riverfront, along the Phalen and West Seventh Corridors, in the Great Northem Corridor through Frogtown, in the Midway and along University Avenue. )ob opportunities continue to expand. New business and cultural facilities open downtown. Likewise, the housing market reflects the growth pattem. Business development and housing con- cems recognize that neither wili be at its best unless both grow in an inte- grated and complementary fashion. QUQIlt11 Of PIQCe We cherish our place on the river and � intend that places throughout St. Paul will offer beauty and delight. /� new levei of concem for quality of p[ace is evident in our neighborhoods and in downtown and riverfront development. Highland Village and reno- vation in the University/Raymond area are representative of business cen- ters throughout the Ciry where this same intent to build with a quality wor- thy of our urban architectural heritage is evident. We have learned that sus- tainable success requires places designed to serve the community function- ally, aesthetically and socially. Quality of place for Saint Paul means: • Neighborhoods that attract people and make them want to stay; • Attractive housing that meets a wide variety of needs; Business districts that invite walking, promote community interaction and are safe; • Strong, positive visual interest for pedestrians, bikers, walkers and riders; � 8 City of Saint Paul _.. Visual and physical connection to the city's natural base of land, water and ciean air; and �• Industry that biends harmoniousiy with its urban neighbors. WC'.II-BClllg we�l-6eing for Saint Pau� citizens depends on economic growth and life-supporting jobs, as well as cultural, educational and recreational opportu- nities, including community services that nurture family and individual life. Saint Paul's commitment to well-being for families and individuals is evi- dent in its sustained interest in economic development, its newly expanded community effort in work force development, in the housing policy's emphasis on a broad range of housing opportunity, and in the main themes of the I 996 Community Development Agenda: • An Even Better Piace to Raise Children means a community � commitment to education, child care and family-supporting healthy neighborhoods. No 7�vice with Poverry means expansion of job opportunities appropri- ate for Saint Paul households and preparation of citizens for the emerging job market. • High Quality Ciry Living means the creation of safe, economically diverse neighborhoods with quality housing at a broad range of prices, participation in all aspects of community life without racial or ethnic barriers, and continued physical improvement of the city EJfective Civic Collaboration means that our efforts are stronger and more productive because we are working well together with shared objectives: the City, neighborhood organizations, the business commu- nity, Ramsey County, the State of Minnesota, the Saint Paul Public Schools, private service providers and foundations. . Comprehensive Plan g Ten Principles for City Development • General Policy 7. Ten Principles for City Development. The following princi- ples, originally developed as part of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework," have been established as guiding principles for general development in Saint Paul. 1. Evoke a sense of place. With each change, Saint Paul will work for a strengthened sense of place that reflects the city's natural beauty and exceptional heritage. 2. Restore and establish the unique urban ecology. Reconnection of our urban fabric to the Mississippi River that drew the area's original inhabi- tants wiIl promote a balance between urban and natural systems throughout Saint Paul. 3. Invest in the public realm. The public realm sets the stage for develop- ment and provides the network of connections. We will maintain and enhance this investment, designing improvements to promote safety and quality with an emphasis on improving the pedestrian environment. �� 4. Broaden the mir of land ases. We will take advantage of the diversity • of activity that is recognized as a special advantage of an older city. Residence, work and cultural opportunities in close proximity can reduce travel costs and enrich community life. 5. Improve conneclivity. Improvement of urban life in Saint Paul will occur by facilitating movement, access and connection among activities and places. 6. Ensure that buildings support broader city goals. Saint Paul will con- sider each addition to the community fabric as an opportunity to enhance its broader location. 7. Build on exis�ng strengths. We will make every effort at city and neighborhood levels to recognize and enhance the treasures we have in our economic, cultural, architectural and natural heritages. 8. Preserve and enhance heritage resourcea SainY Paul will continue To preserve and enhance its rich legacy of historic resources. 9. Provide a balanced network for movement. Provisions will be made for movement by car, public transportation, bicycle and on foot in a bal- anced manner throughout Saint Paul. • 10 Ciry of Saint Paul � � �J � 10. Foster public safery. We wiil keep public safety at the forefront in design and management of the public realm and apply safety criteria in the evaluation of any proposed private development. Geography and Environment The Mississippi River and its dramatic bluffs drew the earliest settlers to the area and remain the strongest definers of Saint Paul as a place. Diminishing heavy industry and years of progress in cleaning up the river have created new opportunitles for enhancement of the setting, improve- ment of environmental quality, and access to the area's strong natural fea- tures. A return to the river is an opportunity to strengthen quality of place at the heart of Saint Paul and, with connections and extensions along the tributaries, throughout all of Saint Paul. GP2. Topography and the Natural Environment. Saint Paul will strengthen its identity by reinforcing its topography and natural environment. This is the first goal of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework." Supporting policies from the Land Use and the Parks and Recreation chap- ters include: • Implementation of the land use themes from "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework," • Creation of new access to the riverbanks and bluff lines, • Promotion of the vision of the Great River Park, • Conformance of policies and ordinances with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Management plan, • Restoration of greenway and natural habitat linkages, • Reconnection of neighborhoods to the river with natural landscaping and, where possible, restoration of surface water in tributary corridors, and � Appropriate development of sites with river valley views and protection of views where appropriate.. • Conformance of development with Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area regulations. Comprehensive Plan 11 .. �, • Continued development restriction, and acquisition where appropriate, for protection of bluffs. � � GP3. Water Resources. Saint Paul will continue to protect its water resources in accordance with its water resources policy, including: • Promotion of natural storm water management solutions to minimize and improve the quality of runoff, including enforcement of standards for storm water detenrion ponds, connection of catch basins to the storm sewer system, • Enforcement of erosion and sedimenY control measures, • Completion of a watershed management plan for Saint Paul after the management plan for the Middle Mississippi River Water Management Organization is completed in 1999, and • Continuation of public education measures outlined in the Water Resources plan. + GP4. Wastewater Facilities. A comprehensive sewer plan update (Tier II) will be completed in 1999. In the meantime, improvement of wastewater handling � in Saint Paul will continue through established measures, which include: Complete elimination of storm water infiltration into the sanitary sewer system through removal of any remaining rain leader/storm sewer connections and eradication of leaks in the sewer system, • Identification of current status and future needs of wastewater flows, Continuation of the management program for on-site sewage treatment systems, which requires regular inspection of all systems, correction of nonconforming systems and testing of water supply welLs. Neighborhoods as Urban Viltages Saint Paul is a city of strong, well-known neighborhoods, each with its own character and community organizations. It has been a long-standing � city policy to maintain and enhance the unique character of those neigh- borhoods. The "Traditional Neighborhood Design" and "New Urbanism" 72 City of Saint Paul � � > � movements represent recognition of the value of Saint Paul's neighbor- hoods in contrast to typical suburban development. New Urbanist practices • provide some direction for maintaining and enhancing the strengths of our existing neighborhoods. � GPS. Neighborhoods as Urban Yllages. Opportunities to live, work and shop in close proximity will reinforce the urban village characteristics of Saint Paul neighborhoods. Improvements and new developments should con- tribute to a high quality, visually inviting, pedestrian-friendly environment. Land Use and Housing chapter policies support: • Application of urban village principles in neighborhood planning and development, • Recognition of the variety of physical forms that make for good neighborhoods in Saint Paul, • Compatible mixed use within single buildings and in separate buildings in close proximity, . Emphasis on pedestrians in neighborhood business centers, supported by design guidelines for designated pedestrian-oriented village centers, .• Building and landscape design that define public areas and strengthen a sense of place, . Diversity of housing type and cost at the neighborhood level, Attention to social and economic factors, along with physical planning and development, and . A balanced transportation system. � GP 6. Take Care of the Housing We Have. Most of the current and future resi- dents of Saint Paul will live in the city's existing housing stock. Original construction and on-going investment yield a high level of quality in many Saint Paul neighborhoods that have strong attraction in the regional hous- ing market today. In some neighborhoods, a pattern of disinvestment has led to deterioration and declinin� values. Housing chapter policies include: Continue and e�cpand efforts to enhance the city's traditional neighbor- hood design. • Continue a commitment to the preservation of historically and architec- � turally significant buildings and neighborhoods. Comprehensive Plan 13 • Step up code enforcement matched with additional resources for repair and rehabilitation. • Strategically focus efforts to stem deterioration and declining values. r • Improve management and maintenance of rental property. � GP7. Meet New Housing Market Demand. Households the children have left, and newer households they haven't yet joined, represent growing segments of the area housing market for at least the next decade. Households in this market are looking for aitematives to the single family home with its own yard: townhouses, condominiums and other properties more easily main- tained or leff for a week of travel. Renters make up a portion of this market. Housing Chapter policies include: • Encourage the production of 300-400 housing units a year, primarily attached units attractive to growing segments of the regional housing market most amenable to urban neighborhood opportunities. • Promote good design solutions for housing that meets newer market needs and complements, and is integrated welI with, existing Saint Paul neighborhoods, designs that use the smaller development sites creative- ly and that provide for housing in mixed-use nighborhood centers. • • Encourage the production of rental housing. Encourage innovative development through regulatory reforms. � GP 8. Ensure Availability of Affardable Housing, A generally stronger housing market, the almost total absence of any new production of renta] housing in any price range, and the reduction in federal funding for rental assis- tance are all putting pressure on the portion of the city's housing stock that is affordable to lower income households. In some instances, the price of that housing is being bid up to the point where it is no longer affordable. In others, lack of continuing investment has resulted in physical deterioration and demolition. The need for such affordable housing exists throughout the metropolitan region. Relative to most communities, Saint Paul has a large supply of well- managed low cost housing. Since there are challenges to that supply, preservation is the City's primary objective, though the construction of new low-cost units will be required as well if redevelopment is to meet the needs of Saint Paul neighborhoods. Encouragement of much more ade- quate provision of housing opportunities throughout the region is also part � of the City's strategy. Housing Chapter policies include: 14 Ciry of Saint Paul r I � • Challenge the region to ensure that each metropolitan community provides a full range of housing choices in order to meet the needs of � households at all income levels. • Work with public, private and philanthropic partners to identify and secure significant additional resources to enable the preservation and construction of affordable housing, both within the city and throughout the region. • Preserve existing federaly assisced housing through partnership efforts with HUD and other area agencies and support continued good maintenance and modemization of the public housing supply. • Stimulate the construction of a modest number of new affordable housing units each year, particularly in neighborhoods where affordable housing is in limited supply. • Support a variety of initiatives that will allow lower income households to move into home ownership. • Link services with affordable housing. • In partnership with Ramsey Counry and other private and non-profit agen- cies, implement the provisions of the Saint Paul/Rnmsey Counry Five-Year � housing and Homeless Services Plan as it is adopted by the City Council. • Preserve and improve existing privately-owned rental housing units. + GP9. Neighborhood Traffic and Parking. Provisions for traffiC and other means of circulation will enhance neighborhood environments and support community connections. 'I7ansportation chapter policies support: • Priority for neighborhood traffic control, • Attention to neighborhood character in the design of traffic and parking facilities, • Enhancement of pedestrian environments, Use of smaller circulator buses and neighborhood transit hubs in a redesigned transit system, • Continued enhancement of the parkway system, and • Continued use of permit parking to protect residential areas adjacent to high parking demand commercial and institutional uses. � Comprehensive Plan �5 � GP 10. Pedestrian Safety and Quality. Saint Paul will strengthen the quality of the pedestrian eacperience in residential and business areas. Transpor-tation • and Land Use chapter policies support: • Compact "urban village"neighborhoods with commercial, civic and institutionai activity, • Physical definition of streets and pubiic piaces by architecture and landscape design, • A neighborhood traffic calming program, Physical changes, where appropriate, to slow traffic and protect pedes- trians, and • Street, building design and a mix of uses downtown to promote pedes- trian use. Downtown Saint Paul Downtown Saint Paul fixlfills many roles. It is an important regional office � center and home base for majar corporations, a civic/government center for the State of M[nnesota and the Twin Cities metropotitan region, a civic center for the east metro region and the city, an entertainment and cultural center of significance to the state, and a distinctive urban residential neigh- borhood. While it shares a loss of retail dominance with other downtowns, it retains a retail core, and new retail strength can be anticipated as a com- plement to the growth of other functions downtown. �` GP 17. Vbrant Downtown. The city, business community, state government and cultural institutions, as well as the Saint Paul community at large, will work together to ensure that downtown growth continues and that each increment of new development and renovation contributes to the down- town's most vibrant future. Building on the strength of its setting, history and character, we will guide development of the public and private realms to realize the objectives of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Devetopment Framework." This plan and the Land Use, Housing, and Parks and Recreation chapters of the Comprehensive City Plan support: Continued development of Wabasha Street as a main thoroughfare • connecting the Minnesota Capitol, the Mississippi River and the west side community through the downtown, 16 City of Saint Paul � I `� • • Continued evolution of downtown with all the uses that make it a vital 24-hour community and center for the east metro region: office, retail, • govemment, culture, entertainment, visitor accommodations and housing, • Development of building design guidelines and circulation improve- ments which emphasize a quality environment for pedestrians, • Full attention to pedestrians, bicycles, transit and traffic movement in the design of street improvements, • Realization of the land use concepts of the Comprehensive City Plan for the Minnesota State Capitol area, and continued development of the Capitol campus as an open part of the city related comfortably to down- town and adjacent communities, and • Investment in transportation and public access infrastructure to facili- tate the redevelopment of the riverfront downtown. � GP 12. Access and Parking Downtown. Expansion of parking facilities down- town will be needed for increments of growth. These should be balanced with substantiai improvement to transit as well as bicycle and walking access. The need for parking space also should be reduced by collaborative management • of parking resources and by incentives for car pools and transit use. � GP 13. Residential Downtown. The residential role of downtown Saint Paul will increase substantially, with perhaps as many as 3,000 new housing opportunities in linked urban villages in and around the business district. Urban village opportunities are outlined in the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework." Corridors for Growth Ciorridors that have served transportation throughout Saint Paul's history structure the city and are the lifelines of connection and access. Changes in transportation have left several corridors with vacant and under-used land that is an important resource for a period of growth. Recent corridor studies have identified major opportunities to create jobs and housing in the River � Corridor, the Midway/University Avenue Corridor, the Phalen Corridor, the Great Northem (Como) Corridor, and the West Seventh Corridor. Comprehensive Plan �7 Figure A: Five Corridors for Growth �J �° GP 74. Corridor Development Work should continue with community and � business organizations and other units of government on planning and redevelopment projects along corridors where several growth opportunities are interconnected. Itt the process, Saint Pau] will seek new ways to inte- grate business and industrial job creation with housing development and the improvement of existing neighborhoods. � GP 15. River Corridor. Saint Paul will continue to give high priority to the transformation of the River Corridor. While some industrial uses should remain, particularly in parts of the southem portion, this corridor is evolv- ing from a predominantly heavy industrial past into a renewed center for activity and enjoyment of Saint Paul's natural setting. The "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework" communicates the vision and the guidelines for development of the central portion of the River Corridor. While the Framework itself is not an element of the Comprehensive Plan, its principles and vision are endorsed as appropriate for that portion of the River Corridor. The Land Use, Transportation, and Parks and Recreation chapters support: Continuation of appropriate improvement and development of the River • Corridor as a priority, making sure changes are consistent with the enhancement of its natural ecology, 18 City of Saint Paul 9 9 -8y • Mixed use urban village development to extend the urban fabric back to the river, �• Improvement of public access and recreational uses throughout the corridor, • Continuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use chapter, • Restriction of new development in the floodplain (or within 300 feet of the water) to those entities which have a relationship to the river, need a river location or can enhance the river environment, • Transportation investments that emphasize pedestrian opportunities and strengthen neighborhood connections, and • Maintenance of Shepard Road and Wamer Road as principal transporta- tion arteries. • Development consistent with Critical Area standards and the River cor- ridor plan to be revised in 1999. GP 16. University Avenue Corridor/Midway. Continued investment in the Midway Corridor will support its strong potential for business development as a readily accessible area between the downtowns of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. University Avenue should continue to be developed as both a transit corridor and a mixed use business street, serving city and neighbor- hood needs. The Land Use and Transportation chapters support: • Redevelopment at key sites that are identified in the Land Use chapter, • Higher densities of households and employment along the corridor that require and support better transit, • Redesign and redevelopment to make the auto-oriented regional shop- ping area comfortable for pedestrians and to enhance storefront, pedes- trian-oriented commercial centers along the avenue, and • Establishment of the "central corridor"(of which University Avenue is a spine) as the top priority for the development of transitways, busways and/or LRT, in the region. � GP 17. Phalen Corridor. The Phalen Corridor initiative should be carried � through and serve as a model for neighborhood revitalization work. The Land Use and 'I7ansportation chapter policies support: Comprehensive Plan 19 • Redevelopment of significant sites within the corridor and continued pursuit of the corridor's integrated goals, • Continued work to fund construcUon of the boulevard and other infra- � structures, and Development and connections that will strengthen the urban village characteristics of neighborhoods adjacent to the corridor. � GP 18. Open Space and River Connections. In corridor planning and develop- ment, close attention must be paid to environmental quality, and Saint Paul must take advantage of opportunities to enhance and extend the open space network formed by the river corridor, bluffs, parks and parkways. Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced along river tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor, through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. '� GP 19. West Seventh Street (Riverview) Corridor. Reinvestment evident in West Seventh neighborhoods and along the street itself are evidence of new life in this corridor. Tank farms between the street and the river corri- dor have given way to a new business park and new opportunities for other � neighborhood development. New planning underway will set direction for a new entry to Saint Paul at the southeast end, a stronger community busi- ness street here and new housing and business opportunity. A good portion of our opportunities for a new and better relationship with the river lie within this corridor which has recently been identified as the Riverview 'IYansit Corridor by Ramsey County and included in this plan's identified major corridors for transit improvement. The Land Use and Transportation chapters support: • Increased housing and transit-supportive development Development that takes maximum advantage of river corridor views, enhances the river corridor and is consistent with corridor development policies. Appropriate improvement of public transit in this corridor linking down- town Saint Paul to the international airport and the southwest metro region, and • A re-designed entry to the City at the river. r1 LJ 20 City of Saint Paul a 9-8y � GP20. Great Northern (Como) Corridoc A 1997 plan provides direction for redevelopment of the Ma�cson Steel/Dale Street Shops area and a vision for • this larger corridor of which it is a part. The entire corridor with the railroad as its spine runs from the Phalen Corridor at 35E through the Empire Builder Industrial Park and west to the Bridal Veil Industrial Park in Minneapolis. This Corridor and the Phalen Corridor have the potential to provide a ribbon of new industry and household-supporting jobs with relat- ed neighborhood development that runs between several of the city's older neighborhoods. Plan chapters support: . Implementation of the Great Northem Corridor Community Vision of 1997 and redevelopment planning for additional corridor sites. • Extension of Pierce Butler Road into the Dale Street Shops site and improvement of truck connections to 35E. Reforestation of the eactended corridor, strengthening its amenity value for ali Midway neighborhoods. Further study of the urban village potential of the Dale/COmo area with new housing near the new Front Street Elementary School. � Twansportation The public facilities for movement within a city, the system for transportation and circulation in all its forms, shape the city and create value for places with- in it. In recent years, a new set of values has begun to influence our trans- portation system, values that place at least as much priority on the quality of places as on the speed and ease of travel through them. In view of increased congestion projected with regional and city growth, as well as the commuting needs of the city's population, strong efforts are needed to improve public transit and to develop land use approaches that will reduce travel needs. � GP27. Travel and System Management. The city needs to encourage fewer and shorter trips and promote alternatives to single-occupant automobiles. Policies to accomplish this in the Transportation chapter include: i • Full support for an excellent and adequately funded bus system, Comprehensive Plan 21 • ToUOfMantl DormbWn NlnnNpplls To Ninneapolk WnMCtln9b Xbwatlu CortiGpr ToFOrt$Mllipy, � xbw�n.cwna«,umorc ana wm m�me.iea To 3M antl � eaekm suCwbs Figure B: Trdnsit Corridors , In cooperation with other agencies, investment in the infrastructure necessary for transit, car pools, biking and walking, NIanagement of land use to reduce trips and promote altemative modes of travel, and Promotion of regional development and investments that support alternative transportation modes and reduce trips, including a better balance between jobs and housing, and reduction of "sprawl" development. � GP22 Transportation Corridors. Redesign of the bus system should occur to provide excellent service along major corridors (limited stop "spines") and better intra- and inter-neighborhood service, with a continued strong focus on regular route service to the downtown and concentration on regular- route weekday service. Recommended corridors are illustrated in the pro- posed Transit Corridors Map. (p.17) � . 22 City of Saint Paul ��.w... fimetleManO ndlMm aYhiOya TO Yepl9YOOE Gall ____..._ _____ aa naNam au0urbs • • r. Economic Opportunity . Economic development is well established as a clear priority for Saint Paul, and healthy economic growth is a well recognized reality today. Compared to other parts of the region, the city is lacking in readily avail- able land for industrial use, a deficit that is being addressed in part by cleanup of land polluted by eariier industrial uses. A city with such com- plexities and competing interests as Saint Paul can present a challenging and costly environment for business development, a situation addressed by many measures in recent years, but one requiring continuing attention. The city's large work force gives it a strong strategic advantage for eco- nomic growth, but carefully targeted efforts are needed to connect that work force successfully with emerging economic opportunity. Other strate- gic advantages include the city's location, its strength as a civic and gov- emment center, and its educational, cultural and community resources. Therefore, high priorities for Saint Paul now are: to ensure that land resources with potential for business use are made available and used to their maximum economic and community benefit; • to ensure a welcoming and supportive environment in the city for new . and existing businesses, and; • to improve the education, skill and work-readiness level of the popula- tion for emerging economic opportunity. Other portions of this summary address the vitality of places for business in special districts and neighborhoods as well as potential for special corridor development. Background sources for the summary policies which follow include the Economic Development Strategy adopted in 1990; the Citywide Economic Agenda prepared for Mayor Coleman in 1994; and the continuing collabora- tive work with community, business and education partners, particularly on the task of shaping a work force development strategy appropriate for today's economy and Saint Paul's population. + GP23. Land Resources: Under-used Land and Brownfield Reuse. The city will take ful] advantage of the under-used land in Saint Pau] for continuing growth and fuifill the commitments of its Brownfield's Showcase Community designation. In partnership with the Port Authority and commu- • nity-based organizations, it will identify under-used and/or polluted land and provide a mechanism for quantifying remediation costs and identifying Comprehensive Plan 2S responsible parties. Then it will establish a yearly program for leveraging and investing scarce resources for remediation of the sites with the highest priority. . � � GP24. Intensive Use of IndusViai Land. Density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of city sites with industrial and/or business potential. Office uses may offer greater potential than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. � GP25. Integrated Neighborhood Improvement. Development of any major land area for business and industrial use should be regarded as an opportunity for improvement of the larger neighborhood of which it is a part. "� GP26. Business DevelopmeM: Coilaboration. There must be an effort to con- rinue the support and improvement of strong collaborative working relation- ships between major economic development agencies. These include the city, the Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Paul Port Authority, the Capital City Partnership, the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporarion and the Metro East Development Partnership. Communication and collaboration between resi- dents and businesses is especially important in neighborhood planning. � � GP27. Business Developmenc Industry Clusters. In collaboration with the Economic Development Partnership, the city must nurture the growth of industries, especially those within globally-competitive clusters with an established base in the east metro region (printing, machine tools, medical devices, computers and software, finance) as well as entry-level opportuni- ty sectors (retail, hospitality, human and personal services, health care, manufacturing and business and automotive services). The Mayor's Information Technology Council is an example of an industry/govemment partnership building on the strengths of the community for a particular seg- ment of industrial growth. • GP28. Business Development: Business Resources. With the help of the Business Review Council, Saint Paul will ensure that its department ser- vices and regulatory measures will be responsive to changing needs and foster business growth and appropriate accommodation of businesses in neighborhoods and business districts. In addition, the city will provide active outreach through the Business Resources Center of the Department of Planning and Economic Development to businesses that need informa- • Uon or other assistance. 24 City of Saint Paul ♦ GP29. Work Force Development By overcoming deficiencies in education and training, Saint Paul can expand economic opportunity for its citizens. • It must work as a fiill partner in the Community Employment Partnership to provide support to job seekers through community-based Work Resource Hubs and to provide support to employers through a private-sector work force development agency. The public schools should partner with the pri- vate sector, ensuring that graduates gain the skills appropriate to employer needs in the 21st century. Regional coordination of work force develop- ment also should be encouraged. � GP 30. Work Force Readiness: Social Support. Saint Paul will support Ramsey County and service-providing agencies in their efforts to improve the avail- ability of quality child care so that this is not an obstacle to participation in the work force. The city will encourage adequate state and federal funding for child care and other family support, and recognize transportation, hous- ing, child care and other family support as components of economic devel- opment in neighborhood planning. � Community Development �n the Communiry DevelopmentAgenda completed in 1996 by a broad part- nership, a"community development" is defined as "the act of working together to ensure that Saint Paul is a nurturing environment for families and individuals and a good place to do business."Most of the components of the Comprehensive Plan outlined here have a bearing on community development by this definition. Most of the city's role in response to the four major strategies of the Communiry Development Agenda is speiled out in the other components of this plan. �' GP 31. Community Development With a broad community partnership, Saint Paul can continue to support the Community Development Agenda initia- tives: An Even Better Place to Raise Children, No 17uce With Poverly, High Quality City Living and EJfective Civic Collaboration. City government's role includes: • Collaborative leadership and program work for economic and • work force development, as outlined elsewhere in this document, Comprehensive Plan 25 q q-89 • Planning and development work for improved physical quality, improved transportation and improved housing opportunities, and Supportive coilaborarion and mayoral leadership, where appropriate, for • progress in areas where the city does not have the major program role, including education, child care, and welfare reform. � GP32 Centers for Community Life. The city, in partnership with its commu nities, will work to strengthen the community building role of parks and recreation centers by providing for safe and secure access, programming that contributes to stable neighborhoods and the removal of barriers to par- ticipation, as outlined in the Parks and Recreation chapter. The city will continue to support partnership efforts to strengthen family and community life, such as FamiIy Resource Centers and Achievement Plus schools. ♦ GP33. Inclusive Community We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. • Regional Interdependence Saint Paul's growth and development are interwoven with those of the entire region. A sustainable future for the'IWin Cities region requires replacement of some of the sprawling growth we can otherwise expect at the fringes with more intensive use of the existing urban fabric. Reinvestment in the region's centers is a key commitment of regional growth strategy. Saint Paul's ability to sustain itself as a dynamic urban center has been hampered by inequities in the burden of costs for our present regionai development pattern. These inequities reflect a history of private invest- ment and public policy that has supported easy e3cpansion of the region at the cost of disinvestment in the older centers. � GP34. Tradi6onal Strengths. To realize the best of what our historic urban fab- ric and new urban development can contribute to the region, Saint Paul will � build on its traditional urban neighborhood and city center strengths. 26 City ofSaint Paul �9-89 • GP35. Civic, Business and Cultural Centers. Saint PaUl will maintain vital, inviring civic, business and cultural centers at the heart of the city and realize • the full potential of other city business centers for additional economic activiry. • � GP36. Opportunitles for Growth. As a growing city with expanding economic and urban residential opportunities, Saint Paul will accommodate a signifi- cant share of regional growth in housing and jobs over the next 20 years, at least 6,000 additional households and 11,000 additional jobs by the year 2020. � GP37. Regional Collaboration. Collaborating with neighboring communities and other regional jurisdictions will help Saint Paul achieve development that reinforces a strong, sustainable role for the city and the region as a whole, including improved transit, a broad range of housing choices, and appropriate restoration/development of the river corridor. s GP38. Shared Costs. Saint Paul will support efforts to correct inequities in taxes, fees and infrastructure investment which perpetuate disinvestment in the central city and to shift the priority in the use of public resources to reinvestment. Efforts inciude those recently initiated to review and restruc- ture Sewer Accessibility Charges, restraints on extending the Interstate . Highway network, and the targeting of redevelopment resources, including funds for cleanup of polluted land. In particular, the city will insist on broadly shared responsibility for meeting affordable housing needs. � Comprehensive Plan Z� Credits The Saint Paul Planning Commission Gladys Morton, Chair* Esperanza Duarte' )ennifer Engh* Carole Faricy Litton Field, )r. Anne Geisser, Chair, Comprehensive Planning Committee* Dennis Gervais Steve Gordon Georgejohnson Soliving Kong Richard Kramer* 'llmothy Mardell* Michael Margulies David McDonell* Cathy Nordin Dick Nowlin* Michael Sharpe* Imogene 'IYeichel� Mark Vaught Barbara Wencl* *Comprehensive Planning Committee Norm Coleman, Mayor The City City Council Jay Benanav Jerry Blakey Dan Bostrom, President Chris Coleman Mike Harris Kathy Lantry Jim Reiter Department of Planning and Economic Development Pamela Wheelock, Director Tom Harren, Northwest Team Leader Ken Ford, Planning Administrator Research and Planning Larry Soderholm, Ken Ford Report Production Planner-in-Charge Jean Birkholz, Secretary Kristi Kuder . � The City of Saint Paul does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, sex, sexual or affectional orientation. age, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, marital status, religion, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or � activities. 28 City of Saint Paul .� IMPLEMENTATION The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Community Review Draft January 1999 99-�9 �/ 9-89 4 Contents High Priorities for Action 3 Land Use Regulation: The Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance 4 Urban Design and Site Plan Review 6 Fiscal Tools Capital Improvement Program Housing 7 9 9 Area Plans and Geographic Focus 11 Community Partnerships Intergovernrriental Support 11 12 The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan 13 Measures required for implementation are identified in each of the chapters of the Comprehensive Plan. This chapter reviews the range of ineasures and funding resources important for implementation including continued updating of the plan itself, and identifies those steps that stand out as the highest priorities for the immediate future. 2 High Priorities for Action Certain imperatives stand out for implementation of this plan-key priorities for action without which neither the City's nor the region's stron�est future will be realized. They aze areas for action that require broad cooperation between the City, county, state, metropolitan and federal government, Saint Paul and regional institutions and agencies, and neighborhoods, business associations, and the larger business community. Action Priority 1: Housing Progress New housing for a shaze of the region's growth can complement Saint Paul's excellent and diverse housing supply and add new vigor to the city's center and our neighborhoods. Success will depend on our ability to respond to stronQ mazket interest in good urban housing opportunities. It will depend on our ability to provide for mixed-income communities in innovative ways and to provide a wide ran�e of choice in Saint Paul and throughout the region. Doing that will require a higher level of public resources to address the lowest income needs. Without a substantially more effective housing effort regionally, Saint Paul cannot make its strongest contribution to a vital region. Action Priority 2: Full Use of Land Resources The resource that attracts development at the fringe is undeveloped land. The resource that is providing for a redirection of some of the gro��Yh to strengthened city centers is previously developed land that needs to be recycled. Resources, some of them public, will have to be available to overcome the costs of pollution, obsolete infrastructure and sometimes relocation of current inefficient uses. The resources Minnesota has already directed to this effort are paying off well in economic growth. The plan identifies the increased levels of support that would allow more complete reatization of the potential over the next 20 yeazs. Action Priority 3: Better Transit Saint PauPs strongest future won't be possible under the familiar formula for transportation: more people, more cars, more congestion, more money and space devoted to parking. The land use and transportation policies of this plan, in accordance with regional policy, urge a development pattern in which transit can work more effectively. Substantial progress on better public transit for the region, including a stable resource base at the state level, is essential for Saint Paul's future. Action Priority 4: Partnership Planning and Development Our region has been known nationally for our ability to work together to solve problems, and this ability among our communities is one of Saint Paul's strengths. But it is an ability that is constantly challenged by mistrust between communities and interest groups, by entrenched / • � • interests, by political rivalries and bureaucratic channels, the press of immediate concerns and, simply, the diffic�fty of good communication. This plan does not provide a prescription for the future of every block in Saint Paul. It's effectiveness depends heavily on more refined planning or cooperative decision-making at the neighborhood and special district level and around specific issues. Cooperation of adjacent community, regional, state and federal policy makers and agencies is critical as weil. Excellent models of partnership effort mentioned elsewhere in this plan point the way: the partnerships for growth corridors, for downtown and the riverfront, for housing and community development, for neighborhood planning, and for workforce and economic development. Land Use Regulation: The Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance Provisions of the zoning ordinance particularly important for plan implementation: For the most part, improvement and redevelopment that meets the standards of the Comprehensive Plan can be realized under the existing Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance with some strategic amendments. The current zoning code was developed with careful attention to the small lot pattern of the city's older neighborhoods. Several provisions and characteristics of the current code are useful for realization of the intensified urban fabric proposed by the land use plan. The RT "duplex" zones designed for the extensive small-lot early neighborhoods accommodate residential structures at densities typical of town house development. A fine-grain zoning pattern has evolved at neighborhood business centers that supports traditional neighborhood mix, though amendments can provide greater flexibility and encouragement for mixed use. New zoning districts devised through special studies for Grand Avenue were intended particularly to help maintain the Avenue's commercial-residential mix and pedestrian scale. These have been successful and may provide useful models for other streets. Space devoted to parking downtown is a matter of market demand; the zoning code would not prevent development that would rely more heavily on transit. River Corridor Ordinance amendments to the zoning code and bluff protection/steep slope deuelopment regulations provide special protection for sensitive areas. Subdivision regulations included in the zoning code help ensure that any new subdivision of land is done in a manner that provides appropriate access and otherwise a good fit with public networks and is consistent with the comprehensive plan. No amendments to the subdivision regulations are proposed at this time for purposes of plan implementation. Changes to zoning ordinance needed to further plan implementation Zoning ordinance changes are needed to provide greater flexibility for mixed use development and to enhance protection of the urban neighborhood fabric in Saint Paul and ensure its most effective extension in new development. The following measures will be taken in the immediate future, 1999 - 2004: Provide an urban village overlay district that will provide flexibility for density and mixed use, include basic urban village design guidelines, and provide for design plan enforcement Consider other plan overlay districts to enhance plan implementation in azeas of transition. Review neighborhood commercial zoning and modify provisions to: Increase transit-supporting multi-family zoning where appropriate; Reduce parking requirements for new development, perhaps by 20 percent; Require new commercial buildings to be built out to the sidewalk--e.g., at least 40% of the lot frontage to be built within ten feet of the front lot line; Require parking lots to be built to the side and reaz--e.g., no more than 60 percent of the lot frontage can be occupied by pazking. 4. Where city-wide zoning changes are not appropriate or not completed, implement the measures above through individual neighborhood planning and zoning efforts. 5. Decide whether any of the downtown design guidelines from the Saint Pau1 on the Mississippi Development Framework (pp. 38-48) should be put into the Zoning Code, e.g., "extroverted" building design with doors and windows facing the sidewalk; design at downtown "gateways" and along "prime edges," buildings of appropriate scale, etc. Adopt amendments required to bring river comdor zoning into conformance with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area management plan and meet other needs as determined in the River Conidor Plan revision process of 1999. 7. As plans are completed, make zoning map revisions along: (a) the River Cor�idor; (b) University Avenue Corridor; (c) Phalen Corridor; (d) Great Northern Corridor; (e) Riverview Corridor. 8. For developable sites along freeways and major arterial streets, rezone land in 1999 if the desired future land use is known. For sites where the future land use is not known, the land can be designated as a"study area" and the current zoning can be left in place. 9. Rezone land for residential development when the Planning Commission's work with district councils identifies sites and appropriate zoning categories for them. 10. Propose an accessory apartment ordinance to permit "mother-in-law" apartsnents in owner- occupied homes greater than 2,000 square feet if it is determined that owner-occupancy can be established as a condition. I 1. Enact higher tree planting standards in the River Corridor and maybe in the proposed greenway corridors; strengthen tree planting standards generally. � r� 12. Monitor zoning experience and municipal zoning ordinance development nationally to determine the additional amendment or major zoning ordinance replacement that will likely be called for in the period 2005 - 2010. Additional, and perhaps for extensive, amendment will be required beyond 2004. Many cities aze experimenting with new zoning approaches that have the promise of stronger support and encouragement for the fine-grain, mixed-use and mixed-income well-designed development that this plan envisions for Saint Paul. Characteristics of newer zoning approaches include: • greater emphasis on built form; less on the specifics of use • recognition of the special character of districts within the city • better graphic communication of standards • use of performance criteria where appropriate • simplification of procedures and quick processing where clear standards aze followed • more flexibility for development that supports a strong pedestrian environment and relies more heavily on public transit While implementation of this plan can be supported with a number of amendments to the current zoning ordinance, by the yeaz 2005 when the current ordinance is 23 years old, virtually complete replacement of the ordinance may be in order. Approaches for revision should be evaluated over the next few years and major revision scheduled for 2005-2010 if indicated. Urban Design and Site Plan Review . All proposals for development in Saint Paul with the exception of one and two-family residential structures are reviewed through a coordinated, inter-departmental process that addresses zoning, public safety, emergency vehicle access, traffic ingress and egress, storm water management, parking and landscaping and any standards or guidelines for building form and other urban design concerns that apply to the area. Though design guidelines developed for some areas do not have the force that an official design district/design review process with a design reviec�' board would provide, they can be the basis for recommendations and negotiated provisions in the site plan review process. The Saint Paul Design Center was established in 1998 to focus a new level of concern for urban design considerations engendered by the completion of die Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework and, specifically, to ensure implementation of that plan's vision and design principles. Downtown and the river corridor remain the primary focus of the design center's work, though the intention is to support application of design principles throughout the city as much as possible. The core principles of the Development Framework are applied throughoLit the CiYy, and this application is formalized with the adoption of this comprehensive plan. In the 1999-20Q4 period, the foIlowing are important for realization of the quality objectives of the comprel�ensive plan: • Full support for development of the collaborative Saint Paul Design Center and expansion of its purview to include at least other major corridor redeveIopment; • Continued and expanded use of design guidelines for neighborhood commercial centers and other special districts that aze the subject of azea plans; • Monitoring of success with design guidelines and design center negotiations and consideration of the need for implementation of formal design district provisions; and • Continued vigorous attention to design objectives important to city and neighborhood objectives where publically owned land or other public resources aze used. Fiscal Tools Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Tax Increment Financing is a critical tool for re-development and pollution cleanup of the central city. The City of Saint Paul contends with extraordinary public costs to remove blight that otherwise prevents redevelopment and job creation. Restrictions created by legislation in recent yeazs have limited the application of TIF not only for economic development, but also for redevelopment and environmental remediation. Concurrently, State and Federal resources have also diminished. The City of Saint Paul will continue to support changes in governing regulations that ease the limitations for redevelopment and pollution cleanup. Additionally, the City of Saint Paul will encourage the State to review ttie job location rule in light of the demonstrated need to locate economic growth near concentrated populations of potential employees. Other City Tools STAR - Sa1es Tax Revitalization Program, also know as the "`/z cent sales tax program." Star is a flexible funding program that provides support for creative local community responses to development opportunities., It will be the responsibility of the STAR board as well as the Planning Commission and the City Council in their reviews to ensure that STAR projects individuaAy and the STAR program as a whole are contributing effectively to realization of Comprehensive Plan objectives. CIB - Capital Fmprovement Bonds. Capital improvement bonds provide the most basic funding for yearly investment in capital facility improvements. (See description of capital improvement budgeting below.) Government Aid The City of Saint Paul uses funds from multiple government sources for housing, economic development, infrastructure, and other purposes. The following is a non-ezchaustive list of current major sources that aze important for plan objectives. Federal Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) 7 s. ! • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - many applications • Emergency Shelter Grant - McKinney Funds • Economic Development Initiative • Enterprise Zone Enterprise Community Funds (EZEC) • Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) - multiple programs • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)/Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) • Welfare-to-Work • Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) • Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) of the Department of Justice • TEA-21, formerly known as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) • Low-Income Tax Credits • Authority to Issue Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonds, generally for mortgage or rental housing (also State) State • Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) - multiple programs • Department of Economic Security (DES) - multiple programs such as youth training • Brownfields funding through muItiple agencies including Department of Trade and Econamic Development and the Metropolitan Council • Children, Families, and Learning - funds multiple after school youth programs/jobs through the Parks and Recreation Department • Minnesota Department of Health - maternal Child Health Grant • Department of Public Safety Strikeforce Program = anti-criminal gang activities Regional • Livable Communities Accounts - Metropolitan CounciI Intermediaries/Partnering Organizations Millions of dollars are leveraged for City purposes through partnerships ar collaborations with intermediaries and other organizations. Currently the non-profit Friends of Saint Paul Public Libraries is undertaking a capital campaign to raise over a million dollars for the library system. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation has partnered with the City and other organizations to invest tens of million of dollars during the 1990s in housing and economic development. Such partnerships are critical for a vibrant Saint Paul and to realization of plan objectives. The following list identifies some current partners. • HRA - Housing and Redevelopment Authority • Port Authority • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) • Minuesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) - multiple programs • Family Housing Fund Metropolitan Library Services Agency (MLSA) Friends of Saint Paul Public Libraries Capital Improvement Program The Capital Allocation Policy is a critical link between the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan and capital budget decisions. The Policy guides departments and community organizations in development of proposals and the Capital Improvement Budget Committee as well as other policy bodies in evaluating them. The Planning Commission reviews the policy and recommends revisions every two years. A major simplificarion and refocus of the policy is recommended for the 1999 budget yeaz. Experience has indicated that the complexity of the previous policy is out of scale with the magnitude of discretionary funds in the process in any one year, and also mitigates against a cleaz focus on priorities. A new Capital Allocation Policy w be completed early in 1999. Saint PauPs Capital Improvement Program also is somewhat redesigned for 1999 for greater efficiency and clarity. Preparation of a five-year capital improvement program will be overseen by the Capital Improvement Budget Committee, the broadly representati� body that continues to play a central role in the City's Unified Capital Improvement Budgetina Process. Housing The Saint Paul Housing Plan represents a 10-20 year agenda for both the City of Saint Paul and the many partner-agencies whose policies and programs both have an impact on and aze essential to Saint Paul's efforts to meet its goals. Those partners range from H(JD and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to the Metropolitan Council, LISC/NEF and Famil}� Housing Fund to the Public Housing Agency and the many community development corporations who link a citywide agenda with neighborhood plans. Even within City government, responsibility for the implementation of housing policy is shared among several departments. Given the multiplicity of implementors, Saint Paul's experience has been that it is valuable to establish a coordinating body and bi-annual action programs to facilitate collaboration and ensure accountability. Bi-annual plans also meet the requirements of participation in the Metropolitan CounciPs Livable Communities Program. A Housing Coordination Team was convened in 1991 with the City Council�s approval of the Housing Policy for the 1990s. Directors, or their designees, of PED's Housing Division, the Division of Housing Code Enforcement, the Certificate of Occupancy pro�ram, the Public Housing Agency, the Housing Information Office, and a representative of the City Attorney's office have met monthly and been responsible for developing the bi-annual Housing Action Program and monitoring its implementation. Adoption of a new housing plan is a good opportunity for the City and its partners to recommit themselves to such a collaboration. Specifically to implement the comprehensive plan: 13. With the assistance ofthe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), PED should convene a task force with balanced representation from public agencies, private funders, for-profit and non-profit developers and housing and neighborhood ad� ocates to develop an annual Housing Action Plan for 1999. Such a task force should be con��ened annually to prepare and recommend to the City Council by October 1 a Housing Action Plan for the following year. 14. The Housing Action Plan should include: (a) Goals for the production of housin� units by price range. The Housing Plan calls for the production of 300-400 units each year with 60-80 being affordable to households with incomes below 80% of the regional median, with half of those being affordable to households «ith incomes below 50% of the regional median. In addition, the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five-Year Housing and Homeless Services Plan calls for the development (thouoh not necessarily construction) of 250 units of transitional housing and 650 units of permanent supportive housing throughout the county over a five year period. (b) Goals for the rehabilitation of existine housing units. (c) Goals for the provision of mortgage financing by the City. ` (d) Identification of expiring Section 8/236 contracts and plans for the preservation of the units involved. (e) Identification of lead implementing oraanizations and funding sources for each of the above goals. ( fl Identification of key zoning studies that should be initiated by the Planning Commission. (g) Identification of neighborhood plans or studies that should be undertaken in anticipation of potential development or redevelopment. Potential proposals for submission for Livable Commtmities funding also should be identified for study, planning and proposal development. (h) Federal, state and city legislative initiatives related to housing policy. Specifically, the Hoz�sing Plan ca11s for an early review of the Ciry's Replacement Housing Policy outlined in Chapter 93 of [he Administrative Code for the purpose of identifying any appropriate amenrlments and reaffirming the Cih�'s commitment to that policy. (i) Report on the extent to which the pre� ious year's goals were met. (j) Identification of appropriate amendments to the Housing Plan. 3. The City's Housing Coordinatiou Team should be convened under the leadership of a �, . �. 10 person identified and assigned by the Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development. The Team shall meet on a monthly basis and be responsible for: monitoring the City's progress toward meeting its goals as identified in the Housing Action Plan; for identifying and addressing key housing issues as they azise; and maintaining appropriate data for the purpose of developing the annual Action Plan. Area Pians and Geographic Focus Among the most important means for implementation of the comprehensive plan is the continued refinement of its provisions and their application to specific districts, corridors, sites and issues in more focused planning and action decisions. Saint Paul has a strong history of neighborhood and special district planning. The continuation of this tradition in a manner that reflects the variety of partnership arrangements through which changes aze made today is addressed in the land use chapter. For the immediate future (1999-2004) the following will be important: Guidelines for azea plans that will clarify those issues that need to be addressed for realization of this plan's objectives and help to ensure city/local azea coordination. (These guidelines will be published by the planning commission in 1999.); A strengthened review process for area plans as outlined in the land use chapter to ensure consistency with the comprehensive plan; Broad area planning participation including the business and non-profit communities; City inter-departmental liaison to area planning efforts to ensure communication, particularly where the city is not providing staff assistance to the effort. The "Corridors for Growth" described in the land use chapter focus major planning and development resources geographically to support realization of plan objectives. An inter- disciplinary focus of city staff resources as well as good on-going communication with community interest groups is further supported by the organization of the staff of the Department of Plannin� and Economic Development into four teams, each with responsibility for planning and development services to one quadrant of the city. Community Partnerships Implementation of the comprehensive plan will be successful to the extent that the vision is broadly shared and the effort involved reflects a continuation of the strong community partnership efforts evident in Saint Paul today. Examples, and this is onh a few, include neighborhood, City, non-profit, Saint Paul Schools and business cooperation in the Main Street on Payne Avenue project the very broad coalition with business leadership that oversees the Phalen Corridor Initiative including Minnesota and Ramsey County officials; the neighborhood organizations, Port Authority, Wilder Foundation and City and State representatives working together to shape and implement a vision for the Dale Street shops/Maxson Steel site and its larger corridor environment; and the extensive corporate, foundation and City cooperation 11 .. �- represented by the Capital City Partnership. Broad dissemination of this plan to ensure understanding of its major directions will support coordinated partnership work. Continued dialoQue, work, and contribution of needed resources to ensure the success of current efforts will build strong models for the future. Intergovernmental Support The actions of several governmental jurisdictions are critical to the realization of the best future for the City of Saint Paul. The need for better ongoing communication among them has been well recognized in taYation panning, in the Community Development Agenda, in the dialogue about regional growth, and in many other forums. Listed below are some of the clearest priorities for other jurisdictions for implementation of the comprehensive plan. Saint Paul Schools and the Education Communiry Promotion of strong educational opportunity for Saint Paul young people with both broad choice and neighborhood anchors; Continued support of Achievement Plus schools and good charter school alternatives; Participation in area planning efforts where individual schools have a stake; and Continued support of Community Development Agenda initiatives. Saint Paul and Minneapolis Shared interests in regional development issues Cooperation on state legislative initiatives important to the central cities Continued support ofmulti jurisdictional programs and services (Family Housing Fund, Neighborhood Housing Services) Explore possibilities for better standardization of land use and other regulatory measures between (at least) the two cities to reduce complications for redevelopment. Metropolitan Council Leadership for a strong effart to meet affordabte housing needs on a region-wide basis Vigorous planning and implementation of improved public transit including both a corridor focus and a more varied fleet of vehicles that can serve a Qreater variety of needs Implementation of growth policy including reduction of large-lot development at the fringe, protection of agricultural land, and channeling investment to redevelopment that strengthens and intensifies the region's existing urban fabric Pursuit of more adequate funding for the Livable Communities accounts State Government Support of partnership efforts such as corridor redevelopment Continued strong attention to low income housing needs and more adequate funding for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency programs Strengthened and consistent support for public transit including a stable funding base Adequate support for brown field cleanup and related site preparation costs to increase the 12 rate of reclamation of underused and polluted industrial land Implementation of the Capitol Area Comprehensive Plan and continued cooperative work with the City of Saint Paul for implementation of the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework. Federal Government Adequate funding for continued maintenance and improvement of Saint PauPs outstanding public housing Restoration of £unding for housing certificates and vouchers for the lowest income households Full funding of the Transportation Efficiency Act. The Saint Pau{ Comprehensive Plan The 20-yeaz period kept in view for development of comprehensive plan policies is more unknown than known. Maintenance of the plan as a useful statement of Saint Paul development policy will require reb lar attention to policy update needs that will be indicated by experience and by changes in the environment. Within a few yeazs, the impacts of regional growth for this period, and of the implementation of regional growth policy, may look somewhat different from what we envision today. National and global economic trends have a significant impact on the 1999 outlook and significant changes in those trends could have significant policy unplications. Changes in metropolitan, state and federal policy affecting urban development will inevitably require new policy responses from the City. Experience with consistency provisions-the state law provision that gives precedence to the comprehensive plan in case of a conflict with the zoning ordinance-may suggest some policy revision. To ensure the continuing usefulness of the comprehensive pian the City will in 1999-2000 institute a biennial monitoring, review and amendment process for all city-wide chapters. By 2005, a review of the plan should be made to identify those areas where policy obsolescence requires major chapter replacement, and a complete revision should be completed by 2010. 13 QR�IGINAL • Council File # -`�� Resolution # Green Sheet # G �a tg Presented By RESQLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MtNNESOTA Referred To Committee_ Date �3 1 Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan: S�a.ry and General Policy 2 3 WI�EREAS, the Planning Commission has recommended a Sumiziary and General Policy Chapter for the 4 updated Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, and 5 C WFIEREAS, the Summary and General Policy was the subject of a public heazing before the City Council 7 and the Planning Commission on December 7, 1998, and 8 9 WHEREAS, the Summary and General Policy fulfills the p1an update objective to have a brief generai 10 statement of development policy that encompasses the plan's several chapters, and 71 12 WHEREAS, under Minnesata StatuCes Chapter 473.864, Subd. 2, Saint Paul is required to update its � Comprehensive Plan regularly and to submit an updated Plan by ttie end of 1998 (or to an extended date), 15 RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saint Paul adopts the Summary and General Policy as an ! 6 amendment to the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan contingent on further review by adjacent communities and 7 the Metropolitan Council. doption Certified by Conncil Secsetary BY �e �=� proved by Mayox: te `( v!�Z ( By' Fozm Approved by City Hy: � Approved by r r By: l!�/a�vr+�, 1-IT-99 �� , � ,dopted by Council: Date 1\ \ �ti �y `�� alg - 8'9 � u CI� QF` .SA�T pA.�. 390 Ciry Ho11 Telephone: 651-26fr8310 Norm Coleman, Mayor IS V✓est Ke[IOgg Boulev¢rd Facrimile.' 65I-228-8513 Saint Pau1, MN �5102 3anuary 12, 1999 City Council President Dan Bostrom Councilmembers Dear Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers: T am pleased to transmit and recommend for your adoption two chapters for the updated Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan which the Planning Commission has prepared: the Housing Plan, and the Summary and General Policy. The Suminary and General Policy will provide a brief and broad statement of City development policy and will help to clarify the interrelationship among the plan chapters. It sets out the important themes for our next several years of progress that underlie the • entire plan. As you know, considerable community discussion lies behind this draft of the 5aint Paul Housing Plan. Some earlier drafts, and, before these, an issue paper were the subject of discussion at numerous community meetings and at the public hearing which you sponsored jointly with the Planning Commission. I believe the new draft provides significant direction for our community effort and recognizes well the broad range of partnership efforts that progress on our housing objectives requires. Most importantly, it recognizes the importance of addressing the housing needs of households of all incomes—those who live here now and those who might be attracted to move into the city. I commend it for your careful consideration. I recommend that the City Council adopt both of these contingent on the Metropolitan Council and adjacent community reviews still to come. i erely, 0 � �'�--�—� C'� ^'1 Norm Coleman Mayor � q� � �� Memorandum CfTY OF SAINT PAUL Date: To: cc: From: Subject: � � March 10, 1999 City Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers Planning Commission Chair Morton and Commissioners Ken Ford Adjacent Community Review of our Comprehensive Plan One requirement of state guidelines for completion of our comprehensive plan is submission of a plan draft to all adjacent communifies (including counties and school districts) for their review, giving them opportunity to let us lmow of any conflicts they see with their own development goals and policies. This step has been completed, and we have received responses from the City of Minneapolis and Dakota County. Dakota County Dakota County has found our policies to be generally consistent with theirs and have suggested a number of issues they'd like to see us emphasize in implementation. Since they represent several communities just down-river from Saint Paul, much of their interest focuses on the river corridor and the points they raise should be addressed in the update of the river corridor chapter now underway. Dakota County has mapped waste disposal and contaminant release sites on the County's border with Saint Paul, and they would like to be assured of our support in protecting surface water resources (such as the river) from contaminating dischazge. We suggest three amendments to the Summary and General Policy Chapter to recognize this and other concerns: Page 12, General Policy 3. Water Resources, add bullet: protection of surface water resources from inapQrogriate dischazees from waste disposal and contaminant release sites Page 18-19, General Policy 15. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: • Continuarion of industrial uses in portions of the comdor idenrified in the Land Use chapter with correcrive acrions wherever necessary to mifieate adverse environmental im aD Ct Of existin industrv includine inap�ro discharge from waste disuosal and contaminant release sites. a�� Page 20, General Policy 18, Open space and River Counectious. Modify language to make it clear that the objecrive of strengthening neighborhood connecrions to the river is not limited to neighborhoods along river tributaries: Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced � , through appropriate trail and road connecfions, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer particulaz opporiunities for enhanced connections. The Dakota County review menrions particular support for, and willingness to work with Saint Paul on: • Collaborating with neighboring communiries and other regional jurisdictions to achieve development that reinforces a strong, sustainable role for the city and the region as a whole... • Supporting the green corridors project of the DNR and the restorafion and protection of natural areas generally. • Providing regional trail connections • Pedestrian and bicycle faciliries on the planned I-35 bridge • Improvement of transit • The street classificarion which they find consistent with Dakota County's functional classification system. � City of Minneapolis In their review, Minneapolis finds our housing and land use chapters to be compatible with the Draft Minneapolis Plan and mentions the following as important azeas of consistency between the two cities in policy direction: • Protecting and enhancing neighborhoods • Concepts of neighborhood livability and economic vitality • Supporting a wide variety of housing types and location choice for all households • Supporting a variety of housing densities and housing designs comparible with our neighborhoods � , . .. r city of saint paul planning commission resolution file number 99-04 date January 8, 1999 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL POLICY OF THE SAINT PAUL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, a summary and general statement of development policy is a key component of an updated Saint Pau{ Comprehensive Plan needed to communicate the essential elements of the plan to the community, inform City development activities and meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, Minnesota Statutes Sections 473 and 473H; and WHEREAS, a draft document was published for community review and discussion in October 1998; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held jointly by the Saint Paul Planning Commission and the Saint Paul City Council on December 7, 1998, notice of which was published in the Saint Paul � Legal Ledger November 24 and 25, 1998; and WHEREAS, the Commission finds broad community support for the policy directions recommended by the plan integrating neighborhood concerns within the broader City-wide goals in the pfan; and has made revisions to the draft in response to specific concerns raised and information provided in the course of the community discussion and public hearing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the City of Saint Paul approves the Summary and General Policy as an element of The Saint Pau! Comprehensive Pian, contingent on review by adjacent communities and the Metropolitan Council; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends the Summary and General Policy to the Mayor and to the Saint Paui City Council for preliminary adoption and for inclusion in The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan to be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council. moved by Geisser seconded by in favor Unanimous � against i� �• City of St. Paul Office of the City Council 320 City Hall , Saint Paul, MN 55102 (651) 266-8570 fNTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM DATE: March 15, 1999 TO: Councilmembers and Legislative Aides G FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst �V�G�/"" SUBJECT: Summary and General Plan Amendments (3/17/99 Policy Session, Agenda Item # 35) and Housing Plan Amendments (3117/99 Policy Session, Agenda ltem # 36) Attached is a list of all proposed Summary and Housing Plan amendments that have been forwarded to me by Councilmembers over the last rivo weeks. The items are listed in page number order, according to the page being amended. Ken Ford, Nancy Homans and I have compiled and discussed the amendments. Where appropriate, comment has been provided on specific aznendments. The Council is currently scheduled to amend the Summary and Housing Plans on Wednesday Mazch 17'� and lay them over to Mazch 24�' for final adoption. Please contact me with any questions or comments on these plans. Please note that this memo and attachments have also been emailed to you. attachments cc: Ken Ford and Nancy Homans, PED Gerry Strathman and Nancy Anderson, Council Reseazch Phil Byrne and Peter Warner, City Attomey's Office � � c� ��ti � �� Q` � �� l � c�nr couNC�� PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL PLAN 1. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 12, General Policy 3, Water Resources, add bullet. Protection of surface water resources from inapprovriate discharges from waste disnosal and contaminant release sites PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo in packet. 2. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 19, General Policy IS. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: Conrinuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use Chapter, with corrective actions wherever necessary to mitieate adverse environmental impact of existing industrv includine ina�pronriate discharge from waste disposal and contaminant release sites PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo in packet. 3. Author Councilmember Bostrom, Location page 20, General Policy 18 amendment, Open space and River Connections.• Neighborhood connecrions to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced , through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River lributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer narticulaz opnortuniries for enhanced connections. PED Staff requested this amendment, see Ken Ford memo iR packet. 4. Author Councilmember Benanav, Location page 24, Generad Policy 24 amendment: Intensive Use of Industrial Land. Increasing density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of City sites with industrial and/or business potentiaL Factors to be considered are the number of iobs Uer sc�uare foot and ner acre and the coveraee of buildine to land. Office uses may offer greater potential than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. PED Staff Comment: This is an appropriate definition of density. Author Jerry Blakey; Location page 26: GP32. Inclusive Community. We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. The Citv, in �artnersh� with the Miiuiesota Fair Housing Center and other interested community oreanizations will coonerate to identifv and eliminate unlawful discriminarion in residenrial sales and mortg�e lendine PED Staff Comment: It is appropriate to add this emphasis here. We suggest just a little revision to eliminate some redundancy. PED ALTERNATE LANGUAGE: The Citv will c000erate with the Minnesota Fair Housin�c Center and other interested communitv orqanizations to identifv and eliminate unlawful discrimination in the Saint Paul housinq market includina the rental market the for sale- market. and mortqaqe lending. ��,'� \ CITY COUNCIL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING PLAN 1. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page I0, insert fourth paragraph: 6. Discriminarion continues. DesUite conrinuing efforts on the nart of federal, state and local govemments, bias continues to act as an impediment to a si¢nificant number of home seekers in Saint Paul. The Institute on Race and Povertv of the Universitv of Minnesota concludes that the Twin Ciries metro azea is annong the nation's most residentially seere�ated. A fair housing audit bv the Mimiesota Fair Housin� Center has found that racial bias is a sienificant factor in rental housin� PED STAFF COMMENT: Policies related to addressing discrimination and enforcement of the Federal Fair Housing Act are important additions to the Housing Plan. ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6. Discrimination continues. Despite continuinp efforts on the oart of federal, state and local qovernments, bias continues to act as an impediment to a siqnificant number of home seekers in Saint Paul. HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. 2. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 12, insert final paragraph: 43 d. Additional resources skeel� must be identified and used in partnership with those code enforcement efforts to assist properry owners to make the necessary repairs and improvements before there is significant deterioration. 3. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page I4, insert final paragraph: 5.1 a. [to encourage the construction of new units, the City should] make assisU'ng potenrial developers a riori , when necessary, in the assembly and clean up of land and the construcrion of infrashuchxre. This should include devising mechanisms to more easily transfer the ownership of tax-forfeited properties to community development corporations or other community-based organizations for development. 4. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 16, insert fznal paragr¢ph: 5.3 a. Advocate for additional reforms of those State ta�c provisions that discourage the conshuction and ownership of rental housing, includine decreasing the tax rate on residential rental �roDertv 5. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 16, insert final paragraph: 53 b. Stron 1 encourage xrajef local employers to invest in the production of rental housing to serve their workforce, on their own or in partnership with other businesses, eovernment a¢encies and nonnrofit organizarions. 6. Author Counci[member Blakey; Location page 19: 6.1a. The Legislature should commit additional funds to the Metropolitan Livable Communities Demonstration and housing accounts as an incenrive for suburban and stronger central city communiries to produce affordable housing. The citv also insists that the Metronolitan Council enforce all aereements to nrovide low-income housing in the municipalities that urilized public funds for infrastructure expansion since 1973. �� ' PED STAFF COMMENT: The link between low-income housing and infrastructure improvements that was made by the Metropolitan Council in the 1970s was related to the Council's role in reviewing applications made by cities for federal parks and open space funds. Positive reviews on those applications was related to the city's performance in providing affordable housing. That review mechanism was eliminated during the Reagan administration. There are no outstanding "agreements." As federal funding programs have changed, the Metropolitan Council no longer has a role in leveraging local participation in the production of affordable housing. Instead, the Council is the lead implementing agency for the Metropolitan Livable Communities Accounts that offer incentives for the production of affordable housing. To more fully address the issues raised by this proposed amendment, planning staff recommends the following plan amendment: ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6.1.a. . Encouraqe the Minnesota Leaislature to provide adequate fundinq for communities to meet Livable Communities poals for affordable housinp and to adoot the other orovisions of the Metr000litan Council's Housina Reform Initiative includinq an incentive oroqram for communities to lower housinp construction costs associated with local requirements, a reassessment of the state buildinq code, rental housinq resources for replacement housina and rehabilitation, new rental housinq resources. fundina for homeless assistance, preservation of existina federallv assisted rental housinq and suaaort for new and rehabilitated ownership housinq. � Author Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 20, inseK new fzrst paragraph: b. The Citv and its partners should encourage the Minnesota Leeislahue to strenethen the Livable Communities Act to make it more likely to have a real impact on the availabilitv of affordable housine for the metronolitan region. This is important given the results of the recent studv bv the Universitv of Minnesota Center for Urban and Reeional Affairs which indicates that even if all the nroduction �oals of the Liveable Communities Act aze met, the reeion will still fall behind in affordable housine provision by complerion of Livable Community Plans. [This amendment will cause the renumbering of the current 6.1.b-e to 6.1.c-f.J 8. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 20: 6.2 [With its partners, the City should:] a. Lobby for the expansion of federal and, especially, state fmancing for the construction and preservarion of affordable housing throughout the region. Specificallv the Citv will nropose for current and future legislative aeendas that the state double, thereby achievine 1% of the state budget for housine, its exnenditures on housing bv sienificantiv increasin¢ its approuriations for the Mimiesota Housins Finance Agencv and for imnlementation of the Livable Communities Act. 9. Authors Counci[members Coleman ¢nd Lantry; Location page 20: 6.2 [With its partners, the City should:] b. Identify new local resources that can be used to leverage additional public and private fmancing. HRA resources represent flexible fund sources that can and should be tapped by City policy makers. Addirionally, the City should dedicate one half of its Neiehborhood STAR Program revenue for housing develonment for at least the next two years. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENT: This makes the plan consistent with the City Council action taken in CF# 99-237 directing that the STAR guidelines be revised to accomplish this on March 10, 1999. � 10. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page ll, insert second paragraph: d. The citv will lobbv the Public Housing Agencv (PHA) to create a position of ombudsman/advocate at PHA. connected with community organizations, who can work with PHA clients to fixll explain their ri ts, responsibiliries and housine onrions. PED STAFF COMMENT: The concems that led to this proposed amendment relate to difficulties faced by people looking for housing or emergency shelter. In too many instances, housing advocates tell us, people have a hard time getting good information. That issue is bigger than the Public Housing Agency and the PHA is not now in a position to assume responsibility for such a service. The nature of the issue suggests, rather, a series of recommendations related to inter-agency communication and better attention to public information. PED ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE: The Housinq fnformation Office should work with approoriate service providers to develoo and distribute orinted materials or on-line resources related to available emerpencv shelter and transitional housinq services as well as to services available from the wide variety of advocacv orqanizations. lla. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 22, amend: 6.4 Among the 300- 400 units of housing to be constructed each yeaz, 60-80 should be affordable to households with incomes below $A% 55% of the regional median, � . In the event that the total number of units consiructed falls short of 300-400, affordable units should represent 20% of those that are constructed or rehabilitated While the high cost of new construcfion, the limited availability of subsidy funds and the City's need to expand its taac base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold at market rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construction. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3A;-69an�-89 55 percent of the regional median income by 1. Investing public financing in developments where �-te 20% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $9 55 en rcent of the regional median income, �€e€ . Developments in neighborhoods with little affordable housing and strong housing markets should be encouraged to provide more than 20 percent of their units to lower income households while those in weaker mazkets should be asked to provide a smaller share. l lb. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 22: 6.4 Among the 399- 400 units of housing to be constructed or rehabilitated and rerixrned to the mazket each yeaz, HA-89 200 should be affordable to households with incomes below 30% of the regional median, with at least half, or 1� going to those to be affordable to households ' ;ne�iat2 earnine minimum wage, and annual income of $11.000. In the event that the total number of units conshucted falls short of 300-40Q affordable units should represent 20% of those that aze conshucted or rehabilitated While the high cost of new construction, the limited availability of subsidy fixnds and the City's need to expand its tax base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold a �� at market rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construcrion. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3&-68 an�$9 30 percent of the regional median income by a. Investing public financing in developments where �p-te �8°fo 50% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $8 30 uercent of the regional median income, with half of those for households � e�� minimum w�e, and annual income of $11 000. Developments in neighborhoods with little affordable housing and strong housing markets provide more than �$ 50 percent of their units to lower income households while those in weaker mazkets should be asked to provide a smaller shaze. 11 c. Author Councilmember Benanav; Location page 22: 6.4 Among the 300-400 units of housing to be conshucted, 20% 6A-$A should be affordable to households with incomes below $9% 50% of the regional median, with at least half going to those to be affordable to households with incomes below 38% 30% of the regional median. In the event that the total number of units conshucted falls short of 300-400, affordable units should represent 20% of those that aze constructed. While the high cost of new construction, the limited availability of subsidy funds and the City's need to expand its tas base mean that much of the housing built in Saint Paul will be rented or sold at mazket rates, the City and its partners should commit themselves to adding to the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing through new construcrion. To that end, the City should encourage the development of housing affordable to households with incomes below 3A;-6A-a�-&9 30 percent of the regional median income by a. Invesring public financing o� in developments where �rie ZO% of the units aze reserved for households with incomes below $8 30 ercent of the regional median incom°� vhni�ld h1_�______,.,: ._ _ �n r ti.:_ ___:._ i_- '- L Y . In order to accom lu ish this �oal the Citv of Saint Paul on an annual basis shall require that at least 20 nercent of all publiclv assisted housing developments of 5 units or more either rental or ownershi� shall be affordable to families at or below 30 nercent of the metronolitan median income Only developments of 5 units or mare are subiect to the 20 percent requirement PED STAFF COMMENT ON 11 a and 11 b: [Please note that PED Staff comment was prepared prior to the Benanav proposal, and therefore there are no PED staff comments on 11c.] The Planning Commission's plan recommends the construction of 300-400 units a year with 60-80 being affordable to households with incomes below 80% of the regional median and half of those being affordable to households with incomes below 50% of the regional median. If total production does not reach 300- 400, the Commission proposes that the City's goal for the production of affordable units should be 20 percent of total production. In establishing its goal, the Commission's concerns were two: (1) that the goal be achievable with identifiable resources that are likely to be available over time; and (2) that the goal be in the context of expanding the supply of units for households at ali income levels. It is important to note that the plan does not assume that the city's major initiative in the area of ��' � `� affordable housing will be in new production. The plan, rather, hopes to promote a modest addition to the city's affordable stock each year to compensate both for demolitions and improving market conditions that have resulted in higher rents. The high cost of new construction and the Iimited availability of land mean that most of the housing needs of lower income households�specially those that need family-size units—will continue to be met by the existing housing stock. A second important caveat is that production goais do not assume CitylHRA wi11 be substantiaf{y involved in the construction of all 6,000 units. Indeed, it is the expectation that many of the market units will be privately constructed—perhaps with public assistance in the assembly and Gean-up of the land. The lower the income group the housing is expected to serve, of course, the higher the public investment that will be required. The impact of the Blakey amendment would be to significantly shift the proportions of new units proposed by the plan, increasing the level of public investment that will be required. Instead of 2� percent of the units constructed each year being subsidized to the level required to make them affordable to lower incomes households, fifty percent or two hundred of the four hundred units constructed each year would require the level of subsidy (for construction and on-going maintenance) comparable to that required for public housing. Staff supports an increase in the goal for the production of affordable units and a reduction in the income threshold provided that: a. The goal remains "in scale" with the produc6on goal for market rate housing; b. The goal is linked to actual production so that if market conditions result in fewer than 300-400 total new units per year, the goal for the construction of affordable units is proportionately reduced;and c. The higher goal is linked with the identification of a new funding source. In establishing a goal for the percentage of any given project that should be affordable to lower income househoids, a minimum project size for applicable projects (e.g. 4, 8, or 12 units) should be established. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENTS ON 11c. Councilmember Benanav's proposal is para{let to one adopted in Minneapolis last summer. The Minneapolis policy reads: " that the City of Minneapolis, on an annual basis, shall require that at least 20 percent of all publicly assisted housing developments of 10 units or more, either rental or ownership, shall be affordable to families at or below 30 percent of the metropolitan median income. All publicly assisted rental projects must accept the use of Section 8 rental assistance either by site-based or portable certificate. Only developments of 10 units or more are subject to the 20 percent requirement." 12. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 23: 6.5 The City should � reaffirm its commitment to the Replacement Housing Policy outlined in Chapter 93 of the Administrarive Code, ensure that there aze units constructed to replace all housine units lost since Januarv1998, and ensure that those units contain the net number of bedrooms lost to demolirion. Exisring policy requires that City agencies proposing the demolition of conversion of afFordable rental housing shall provide the City Council with an affordable rental housing analysis outlining the impact of the proposed project on the availability of such housing in the City. Under certain circuxnstances, including when there has been a net loss of affordable rental housing units (those affordable to households with incomes below 55% of the regional median), the director of PED shall recommend the replacement of units slated to be lost. The City Council has fmal responsibility for approving, amending or rejecting that recommendarion. If the Council determines that units should be replaced, adequate funds to finance the construcrion of those replacement units within three years shall be approved by the agency proposing the project. Inasmuch as the ordinance was adopted in 1989 and has not been revised since then, any issues o�°�_� `'I relafive to its implementafion should be idenrified and addressed as part of the process of implementing the plan. PED STAFF COMMENT: Chapter 93 of the Administrative Code ouiiines the City's current Replacement Housing Policy. The basic provisions of that policy include: a. Any request to the City Counal for approvaf of a city-assisted project that wouid involve the demolition or conversion of affordable rental housing must be accompanied by an affordable rental housing analysis that describes the balance of units produced and units demolished since 1989 as weli as market conditions such as vacancy rates and prevailing rents for units of similar size in the city. b. The PED director shall review the analysis against the goals for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing that are to be set forth in an annual housing production plan filed with the city clerk by January 31 of each year. c. The PED director shall make a recommendation as to whether replacement shall be required and, if so, what kind of units shall be constructed. d. The director shall make a recommendation to replace units under any of the following circumstances: i. If the analysis shows there has been a net loss of affordable rental units; ii. If the type of affordable rental units to be demolished are the type of units that the city has determined through its housing production and preservation goals to be needed in the city and the number of units to be lost equals or exceeds 20. iii. If the affordable rental housing lost is due to an activity funded from one of three federal programs. e. The director shall propose means by which the replacement housing will be constructed and financed. f. The city council shall have final responsibility for approving, amending or rejecting the director's recommendation. The principle benefit of the existing ordinance in addressing the demolition/replacement housing issue is that decision makers, whose responsibility it is to balance competing policy objectives, have good information on the impact of the proposed demolition and a recommendation on how replacement can be achieved. It does not, however, tie the council's hands when specific circumstances might suggest replacing fewer than 100 percent of the units to be lost. It is good policy and staff recommends that we continue to rely on it—and be more diligent in meeting its requirements—as the most appropriate response to this issue. COUNCIL RESEARCH COMMENT: Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry have introduced a separate resolution, CF# 99-260, addressing this point. It 1) reaffrms commitment to maintaining the needed level of affordable housing in the City of Saint Paul; and 2) requests that the Director of the Planning and Economic Development Department prepare and present an affordable housing analysis per Chapter 93 of the Administrative Code by May 26, 1999 for discussion by the City Council. 13. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 26, at end: 6.10 Work to overcome bias in the housin¢ mazket. The City recognizes that over th�rt�yeazs have �assed since the oriEinal enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act nrohibitin¢ discrimination in housinE and vet bias confinues to affect Saint PauPs racial and ethnic minoriries the disabled and families with minor children. The task of overcomin2 bias must be accented as the joint resuonsibility of federal state county and Cityyovernments in cooperarion with private and nonprofit sectors To this end the City will support: 1. Svstemic testine in the housinp, mazket to identi bias 2. Enforcement of Saint Paul's human ri¢hts ordinance in respect to housine discrimination 0 �� 3. Educational and outreach pro�rams directed towazds housing providers includine landlords rental aeents real estate sales personnel mortgaee lenders uropertv apnraisers and proper[y ivsurers 4. Outreach pro�rams d'uected towards neiehborhood oreanizations and district nlanning councils to promote ¢rassroots awazeness of the nroblem 5. Creation of a Saint Paul Fair Housing Council comprised of representatives of citv �overnment. the nrivate sector, community a�encies and the Minnesota Fair Housin Center which shall advise the City in its oneoine work to idenrify and overcome unlawful bias through testine, enforcement plaunin� educarion and outreach. PED STAFF COMMENT: Policies related to addressing discrimination and enforcement of the Federal Fair Housing Act are important additions to the Housing Plan. Planning staff, however, is hesitant to recommend policies related to the establishment of a Saint Paul Fair Housing Council and systematic testing to identify bias without a better understanding of the City's Department of Human Rights' existing efforts related to Fair Housing and the budget implications of these recommendations. At the time this report was prepared, that information was not yet available. ALTERNATE LANGUAGE FROM PED 6.10 Work to overcome bias in the housinq market. The Citv recoqnizes that over thirtv vears have oassed since the oriqinal enactment of the Federal Fair Housinq Act prohibitinq discrimination in housinq and vet bias continues to affect Saint Paul's racial and ethnic minorities, the disabled and families with minor children. The task of overcominq bias must be accepted as the ioint responsibil� of federal state countv and Citv qovernments in c000eration with orivate and nonorofit sectors. To this end, the Citv will su000rt: 1. Enforcement of Saint Paul's human riqhts ordinance in resoect to housinp discrimination 2. Educational and outreach proqrams directed towards housinq providers includinq landlords rental aaents real estate sales oersonnel mort�c aqe lenders arooertv appraisers and orooertv insurers 3. Outreach proprams directed towards neiqhborhood orqanizations and dist�ict olanninq cou�cils to promote arassroots awareness of the problem HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. 14. Author Cauncilmember Blakey; Location page 26, at end: 6.11 The Citv must lo ace a moratorium on demolition of shuchually sound rental housin¢ units until the city's rental vacancy rate exceeds 5%. PED STAFF COMMENT: One goal shared by almost everyone involved in discussions about the Housing Plan is the construction of a significant number of new housing units in the city. Without new production, vacancy rates will continue to decline and rents will conti�ue to increase. The issue raised by this proposed amendment is whether it will encourage, discourage or have no effect on our ability—and the ability of our private and non-profit partners—to produce new housing. Because of the limited supply of vacant land—especially in the neighborhoods—the production of new units will likely involve some amount of redevelopment and the demolition of existing units. The HRA Board, it seems, should have the flexibility to decide that the demolition of one or more "structurally sound" units is justified when new units are being produced. A moratorium would reduce the Board's flexibility and, in the long run, may slow down the process of getting to the point where vacancy rates reach 5%. 15. Authors Councilmembers Coleman and Lantry; Location page 26,insert at end: 6.12 The Citv and its nartners should fiurther e�lore policy outions used b�other major metropolitan azeas such 7 �� as residential hotels. local trust funds develoned from a stream of revenues from real estate transaction fees: zoning changes like inclusionarv zoning or densitv requirements. 16. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 28, at end: 73 Fair Housine Plannins. Staff assi�ned to convene the Housing Coordination Team shall also be assigned to the Saint Paul Fair Housing Council. as idenrified in 6.10 above, and shall in coonerarion with the Fair Housing monitor and evaluate the citds proQress on an annual basis. The Council shall in coo�eration with assigned staff oresent its findines for inclusion in the Housine Acrion Plan and make such recommendations as mav be necessary and prouer to fulfill the �lan and meet objectives towazds building an inclusive communitv. PED STAFF COMMENT: See comments for previous amendment. PED recommends not adopting this amendment without thorough consultation of Human Rights staff. HUMAN RIGHTS STAFF COMMENT: Requested by Council Research, forthcoming. CITY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS TO THE SUMMARY AND GENERAL PLAN ADOPTED 3/24/99 �� M\ �' �o� C� d ��u�� (��$� Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 12, General Policy 3, Water Resources, add bullet: Protection of surface water resources from inapprOpriate dischaz¢es from waste disposal and contaminant release sites. 2. Author Councilmember Coleman, Location page 19, General Policy I5. River Corridor, add to fourth bullet: Continuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use Chapter, with corrective actions wherever necessar�to miti�ate adverse environmenta] imnact of existing industry, includin�pUro�riate discharge from waste disposal and contaminant release sites 3. Author Councilmember Bostrom, Location page 20, General Policy 18 amendment, Open space and River Connections: Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced , through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. River tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor offer particulaz opportunities for enhanced connections 4. Author Councilmember Benanav, Location page 24, General Policy 24 amendment: Intensive Use of Industrial Land. Increasine density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of City sites with industrial and/or business potential. Factors to be considered are the nuxnber of iobs per square foot and per acre, and the coverage of building to land. Office uses may offer greater potenrial than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. 5. Author Councilmember Blakey; Location page 26: GP32. Inclusive Community. We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. The City will coonerate with the Mimiesota Fair Housing Center and other interested communitv oreanizations to identify and eliminate unlawful discrimination in the Saint Paul housing mazket, includin�the rental market, the for sale-market, and mort�aee lending. 6. Author Councilmember Harris; Location page 16 insert sixth bullet, GP10. [Pedestrian Safety and Quality. Saint Paul will strengthen the quality of the pedestrian experience in residenrial and business areas. Transportation and Land Use Chapter policies support:] ! School safety proezams as adonted. GREEN SHEET TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES �,.�,�.o.�� No �� 61219 � ❑2 an,.,.ou�r . � �«iac ❑,.�.��. r�� S( J��J` � � �S �.lP u ❑3 r�,��„�sr�n ❑ (CIJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Mayor Recommendation and City Council Adopeion of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan: '�_- Summary and General Policy A PL4NNING CAMMISSION _ CIB CAMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION A Sraff Update of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan IFAPPROVED Flas this pe�SOMrm ever worKed under a conhaG farMia departmeM7 YES NO Has tnie pewoMrm e.er eeen a ciy emvbv�7 YES NO Does this pe�rm possess a sidll not riormaUYP�%%� by anY wrteM cdY emP�M'ee4 YES NO Is this peisoMrtn a tarpeted veiMoY7 rES rio yain all vea answers m seoarate sheet arM attach to areen shee[ An additional chapter of the Comprehensive Plan will be completed, meeting the update requirements of State law. None Failure to meet the requirement of State law. TRANSACTIONi COETIREVRlUEBUDfiETED�qRCLEONE) VES NO ACTIVITY NUI�ER � SUMMARY AND GENERAL POLICY The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Draft for City Council Review January 1999 qq -�9 � �J � Recommended by the Saint Paul Planning Commission January 8, 199 CTTY OF SAINT PAUL DEPARTMF,NI' OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT � � � . SU M MARY AN D GENERAL POLICY The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Draft for City Council Review January 1999 Recommended by the Saint Paul Planning Commission CITY OF SAINT PAUL DEPARTMEM OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEM . � � q 4-89 .� �� u r1 LJ Contents Introduction The Setting for a New Plan Plan Vision and Themes Ten Principles for City Development Geogrephy and Environment Neighborhoods as Urban Villages Downtown Saint Paul Corridors for Growth Transportation Economic Opportuni�/ Community Development Regionallnterdependence Comprehensive Plan 5 6 7 10 11 12 16 17 21 22 25 26 3 Introduction • his document provides a broad statement of the Ciry's T development policy and, as an overview of the enlire Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, helps to clarify the interrelation- Shlp of the othel' Chapters. The summary includes general policy in the areas of Economic Development and Community Development which, though supported by policies in all functional areas, is not found in other chapters. When the 1998-1999 plan update is completed, the citywide por- tion of the Plan wiil consist of the following chapters: Directions for 2000, Plan Summary and General Policy Land Use Plan (1998, Recommended by the Planning Commission) Housing (Community Review Draft published October, 1998) Transportation (Adopted 1997) Parks and Recreation (Adopted 1997) Library Services (Adopted 1996) Water Conservation and Emergency Response Plan (1996) • River Corridor Plan (Adopted 1987 (to be updated 1999) Implementation A storm water management plan will be added at a later time, after the management plans for all of the watershed districts within the City are complete, as required by law. � Comprehensive Plan 5 ��-8`t The Setting for a New Plan Some of the most important trends that the Saint Paul community is • responding to in the effort to forge new development policy can be briefly described as follows: The 'IWin Cities region will grow over the next 20 years, adding some 550,000 people and 300,000 households according to The projections of the Metropolitan Council. The region has addressed its costly sprawling devel- opment pattern and acknowledged that a sustainable future requires more effective accommodation of growth within built-up areas, including the central cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Increased use of cars along with more households and without continued expansion of the highway system into the hinterland means that increasing traffic could well detract from the area's quality of life without altemative movement systems and new land use patterns. Both neighborhoods and business districts of Saint Paul which reflect the city's historic urban character well are highly valued today. New urbanist approaches to development gaining popularity throughout the country are evidence of a new realization of the value inherent in the historic neighbor- hood grid and sidewalk-and-neighborhood-street-connected living-shop- . ping-working that prevails in a variety of forms in much of Saint Paul. The effort well along to plant 25,000 trees, re-establishing something of the natural character of the Mississippi River corridor, is but one indication of a high level of commitment, broadly shared, to better stewardship of our nat- ural environment and renewed appreciation and enjoyment of Saint Paul's outstanding river bluff setting. The departure of some heavy industry has created new opportunity to meet this objective. Market confidence, the sometimes intangible factor that causes people to see a particular neighborhood as a sound opportunity for investment in housing or business, varies widely across Saint Paul. There's ample demon- stration of strong attraction for the urban neighborhoods the City provides. There's evidence as well that some neighborhoods are not secure and that careful strategy is required to support reinvestment. A regional shortage of housing affordable even to moderate and low-wage workers, and a very low vacancy rate for rental housing are aspects of the housing market that regional and City policy must address. There is also a growing network of vigorous partnership efforts involving business and resident organizations, non-profit organizations, city, county � and state govemments and the Saint Paul Schools addressing physical, 6 Ciry of Saint Paul . : economic and social needs, rebuilding community, working to redress the lack of confidence where it exists. � The Midway, Saint Paul's extensive business area between the two down- towns, is attracting new business investment today as it has for several years, and downtown Saint Paul is experiencing a rebirth with major new corporate building investment, a wealth of new cultural facilities, and a growing housing market. Urban analysis and experience in the United States is leading many to realize new economic potential for central city neighborhoods and their populations that have suffered from the disinvest- ment inherent in the physical and economic development patters of recent decades. And Saint Paul is well "above average" for its success in building its economy, expanding economic opportuniry by an increase of some 7,000 jobs in the 1990s. Plan Vision and Themes We envision a future Saint Paul that is the best of its present and past: � strong neighborhood communities, a vital downtown area, growing busi- ness and industry, easy, inviting connections among neighborhoods and districts and with our river and natural topography. one of Saint Paul's strengths is its traditional neighborhood fabric, made up of the strong and diverse communities within its borders. Our neighbor- hoods offer housing opportunities that are affordable and attractive to people within a very broad income range. As more and more business and living opportunities become concentrated in neighborhood business centers and near transit corridors, public transit, bicycles and walkways will become more acceptable means of transportation contributing to an improved environment. In our vision, downtown Saint Paul is a thriving 24-hour business, cultural and entertainment center, as well as a highly desirable urban residential location. New business and industry, well integrated with existing neigh- borhoods and new housing opportunities, have replaced the polluted land and outdated infrastructure of the Phalen Corridor to the east and the Great Northem Corridor to the west. University Avenue and West Seventh Street have become attractive corridors with strong business centers, new resi- . dential developments and pedestrian amenities attractive to transit riders. The Mississippi River Corridor, while continuing to accommodate a wide Comprehensive Plan variery of urban users, offers a vast green refuge at the city's heart, exten- sive new opportunities for public enjoyment, and an anchor for the park and trail system that shapes the entire city and strengthens the visibility of � its natural setting. Three themes capture the opportunities and needs of this vision. �'il'OW t�l Saint Paul welcomes new opportunities for growth. Saint Paul can realize new vitality by claiming a significant share of the new growth anticipated for the region. Opportunities are being defined in several key areas: on the downtown riverfront, along the Phalen and West Seventh Corridors, in the Great Northem Corridor through Frogtown, in the Midway and along University Avenue. )ob opportunities continue to expand. New business and cultural facilities open downtown. Likewise, the housing market reflects the growth pattem. Business development and housing con- cems recognize that neither wili be at its best unless both grow in an inte- grated and complementary fashion. QUQIlt11 Of PIQCe We cherish our place on the river and � intend that places throughout St. Paul will offer beauty and delight. /� new levei of concem for quality of p[ace is evident in our neighborhoods and in downtown and riverfront development. Highland Village and reno- vation in the University/Raymond area are representative of business cen- ters throughout the Ciry where this same intent to build with a quality wor- thy of our urban architectural heritage is evident. We have learned that sus- tainable success requires places designed to serve the community function- ally, aesthetically and socially. Quality of place for Saint Paul means: • Neighborhoods that attract people and make them want to stay; • Attractive housing that meets a wide variety of needs; Business districts that invite walking, promote community interaction and are safe; • Strong, positive visual interest for pedestrians, bikers, walkers and riders; � 8 City of Saint Paul _.. Visual and physical connection to the city's natural base of land, water and ciean air; and �• Industry that biends harmoniousiy with its urban neighbors. WC'.II-BClllg we�l-6eing for Saint Pau� citizens depends on economic growth and life-supporting jobs, as well as cultural, educational and recreational opportu- nities, including community services that nurture family and individual life. Saint Paul's commitment to well-being for families and individuals is evi- dent in its sustained interest in economic development, its newly expanded community effort in work force development, in the housing policy's emphasis on a broad range of housing opportunity, and in the main themes of the I 996 Community Development Agenda: • An Even Better Piace to Raise Children means a community � commitment to education, child care and family-supporting healthy neighborhoods. No 7�vice with Poverry means expansion of job opportunities appropri- ate for Saint Paul households and preparation of citizens for the emerging job market. • High Quality Ciry Living means the creation of safe, economically diverse neighborhoods with quality housing at a broad range of prices, participation in all aspects of community life without racial or ethnic barriers, and continued physical improvement of the city EJfective Civic Collaboration means that our efforts are stronger and more productive because we are working well together with shared objectives: the City, neighborhood organizations, the business commu- nity, Ramsey County, the State of Minnesota, the Saint Paul Public Schools, private service providers and foundations. . Comprehensive Plan g Ten Principles for City Development • General Policy 7. Ten Principles for City Development. The following princi- ples, originally developed as part of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework," have been established as guiding principles for general development in Saint Paul. 1. Evoke a sense of place. With each change, Saint Paul will work for a strengthened sense of place that reflects the city's natural beauty and exceptional heritage. 2. Restore and establish the unique urban ecology. Reconnection of our urban fabric to the Mississippi River that drew the area's original inhabi- tants wiIl promote a balance between urban and natural systems throughout Saint Paul. 3. Invest in the public realm. The public realm sets the stage for develop- ment and provides the network of connections. We will maintain and enhance this investment, designing improvements to promote safety and quality with an emphasis on improving the pedestrian environment. �� 4. Broaden the mir of land ases. We will take advantage of the diversity • of activity that is recognized as a special advantage of an older city. Residence, work and cultural opportunities in close proximity can reduce travel costs and enrich community life. 5. Improve conneclivity. Improvement of urban life in Saint Paul will occur by facilitating movement, access and connection among activities and places. 6. Ensure that buildings support broader city goals. Saint Paul will con- sider each addition to the community fabric as an opportunity to enhance its broader location. 7. Build on exis�ng strengths. We will make every effort at city and neighborhood levels to recognize and enhance the treasures we have in our economic, cultural, architectural and natural heritages. 8. Preserve and enhance heritage resourcea SainY Paul will continue To preserve and enhance its rich legacy of historic resources. 9. Provide a balanced network for movement. Provisions will be made for movement by car, public transportation, bicycle and on foot in a bal- anced manner throughout Saint Paul. • 10 Ciry of Saint Paul � � �J � 10. Foster public safery. We wiil keep public safety at the forefront in design and management of the public realm and apply safety criteria in the evaluation of any proposed private development. Geography and Environment The Mississippi River and its dramatic bluffs drew the earliest settlers to the area and remain the strongest definers of Saint Paul as a place. Diminishing heavy industry and years of progress in cleaning up the river have created new opportunitles for enhancement of the setting, improve- ment of environmental quality, and access to the area's strong natural fea- tures. A return to the river is an opportunity to strengthen quality of place at the heart of Saint Paul and, with connections and extensions along the tributaries, throughout all of Saint Paul. GP2. Topography and the Natural Environment. Saint Paul will strengthen its identity by reinforcing its topography and natural environment. This is the first goal of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework." Supporting policies from the Land Use and the Parks and Recreation chap- ters include: • Implementation of the land use themes from "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework," • Creation of new access to the riverbanks and bluff lines, • Promotion of the vision of the Great River Park, • Conformance of policies and ordinances with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Management plan, • Restoration of greenway and natural habitat linkages, • Reconnection of neighborhoods to the river with natural landscaping and, where possible, restoration of surface water in tributary corridors, and � Appropriate development of sites with river valley views and protection of views where appropriate.. • Conformance of development with Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area regulations. Comprehensive Plan 11 .. �, • Continued development restriction, and acquisition where appropriate, for protection of bluffs. � � GP3. Water Resources. Saint Paul will continue to protect its water resources in accordance with its water resources policy, including: • Promotion of natural storm water management solutions to minimize and improve the quality of runoff, including enforcement of standards for storm water detenrion ponds, connection of catch basins to the storm sewer system, • Enforcement of erosion and sedimenY control measures, • Completion of a watershed management plan for Saint Paul after the management plan for the Middle Mississippi River Water Management Organization is completed in 1999, and • Continuation of public education measures outlined in the Water Resources plan. + GP4. Wastewater Facilities. A comprehensive sewer plan update (Tier II) will be completed in 1999. In the meantime, improvement of wastewater handling � in Saint Paul will continue through established measures, which include: Complete elimination of storm water infiltration into the sanitary sewer system through removal of any remaining rain leader/storm sewer connections and eradication of leaks in the sewer system, • Identification of current status and future needs of wastewater flows, Continuation of the management program for on-site sewage treatment systems, which requires regular inspection of all systems, correction of nonconforming systems and testing of water supply welLs. Neighborhoods as Urban Viltages Saint Paul is a city of strong, well-known neighborhoods, each with its own character and community organizations. It has been a long-standing � city policy to maintain and enhance the unique character of those neigh- borhoods. The "Traditional Neighborhood Design" and "New Urbanism" 72 City of Saint Paul � � > � movements represent recognition of the value of Saint Paul's neighbor- hoods in contrast to typical suburban development. New Urbanist practices • provide some direction for maintaining and enhancing the strengths of our existing neighborhoods. � GPS. Neighborhoods as Urban Yllages. Opportunities to live, work and shop in close proximity will reinforce the urban village characteristics of Saint Paul neighborhoods. Improvements and new developments should con- tribute to a high quality, visually inviting, pedestrian-friendly environment. Land Use and Housing chapter policies support: • Application of urban village principles in neighborhood planning and development, • Recognition of the variety of physical forms that make for good neighborhoods in Saint Paul, • Compatible mixed use within single buildings and in separate buildings in close proximity, . Emphasis on pedestrians in neighborhood business centers, supported by design guidelines for designated pedestrian-oriented village centers, .• Building and landscape design that define public areas and strengthen a sense of place, . Diversity of housing type and cost at the neighborhood level, Attention to social and economic factors, along with physical planning and development, and . A balanced transportation system. � GP 6. Take Care of the Housing We Have. Most of the current and future resi- dents of Saint Paul will live in the city's existing housing stock. Original construction and on-going investment yield a high level of quality in many Saint Paul neighborhoods that have strong attraction in the regional hous- ing market today. In some neighborhoods, a pattern of disinvestment has led to deterioration and declinin� values. Housing chapter policies include: Continue and e�cpand efforts to enhance the city's traditional neighbor- hood design. • Continue a commitment to the preservation of historically and architec- � turally significant buildings and neighborhoods. Comprehensive Plan 13 • Step up code enforcement matched with additional resources for repair and rehabilitation. • Strategically focus efforts to stem deterioration and declining values. r • Improve management and maintenance of rental property. � GP7. Meet New Housing Market Demand. Households the children have left, and newer households they haven't yet joined, represent growing segments of the area housing market for at least the next decade. Households in this market are looking for aitematives to the single family home with its own yard: townhouses, condominiums and other properties more easily main- tained or leff for a week of travel. Renters make up a portion of this market. Housing Chapter policies include: • Encourage the production of 300-400 housing units a year, primarily attached units attractive to growing segments of the regional housing market most amenable to urban neighborhood opportunities. • Promote good design solutions for housing that meets newer market needs and complements, and is integrated welI with, existing Saint Paul neighborhoods, designs that use the smaller development sites creative- ly and that provide for housing in mixed-use nighborhood centers. • • Encourage the production of rental housing. Encourage innovative development through regulatory reforms. � GP 8. Ensure Availability of Affardable Housing, A generally stronger housing market, the almost total absence of any new production of renta] housing in any price range, and the reduction in federal funding for rental assis- tance are all putting pressure on the portion of the city's housing stock that is affordable to lower income households. In some instances, the price of that housing is being bid up to the point where it is no longer affordable. In others, lack of continuing investment has resulted in physical deterioration and demolition. The need for such affordable housing exists throughout the metropolitan region. Relative to most communities, Saint Paul has a large supply of well- managed low cost housing. Since there are challenges to that supply, preservation is the City's primary objective, though the construction of new low-cost units will be required as well if redevelopment is to meet the needs of Saint Paul neighborhoods. Encouragement of much more ade- quate provision of housing opportunities throughout the region is also part � of the City's strategy. Housing Chapter policies include: 14 Ciry of Saint Paul r I � • Challenge the region to ensure that each metropolitan community provides a full range of housing choices in order to meet the needs of � households at all income levels. • Work with public, private and philanthropic partners to identify and secure significant additional resources to enable the preservation and construction of affordable housing, both within the city and throughout the region. • Preserve existing federaly assisced housing through partnership efforts with HUD and other area agencies and support continued good maintenance and modemization of the public housing supply. • Stimulate the construction of a modest number of new affordable housing units each year, particularly in neighborhoods where affordable housing is in limited supply. • Support a variety of initiatives that will allow lower income households to move into home ownership. • Link services with affordable housing. • In partnership with Ramsey Counry and other private and non-profit agen- cies, implement the provisions of the Saint Paul/Rnmsey Counry Five-Year � housing and Homeless Services Plan as it is adopted by the City Council. • Preserve and improve existing privately-owned rental housing units. + GP9. Neighborhood Traffic and Parking. Provisions for traffiC and other means of circulation will enhance neighborhood environments and support community connections. 'I7ansportation chapter policies support: • Priority for neighborhood traffic control, • Attention to neighborhood character in the design of traffic and parking facilities, • Enhancement of pedestrian environments, Use of smaller circulator buses and neighborhood transit hubs in a redesigned transit system, • Continued enhancement of the parkway system, and • Continued use of permit parking to protect residential areas adjacent to high parking demand commercial and institutional uses. � Comprehensive Plan �5 � GP 10. Pedestrian Safety and Quality. Saint Paul will strengthen the quality of the pedestrian eacperience in residential and business areas. Transpor-tation • and Land Use chapter policies support: • Compact "urban village"neighborhoods with commercial, civic and institutionai activity, • Physical definition of streets and pubiic piaces by architecture and landscape design, • A neighborhood traffic calming program, Physical changes, where appropriate, to slow traffic and protect pedes- trians, and • Street, building design and a mix of uses downtown to promote pedes- trian use. Downtown Saint Paul Downtown Saint Paul fixlfills many roles. It is an important regional office � center and home base for majar corporations, a civic/government center for the State of M[nnesota and the Twin Cities metropotitan region, a civic center for the east metro region and the city, an entertainment and cultural center of significance to the state, and a distinctive urban residential neigh- borhood. While it shares a loss of retail dominance with other downtowns, it retains a retail core, and new retail strength can be anticipated as a com- plement to the growth of other functions downtown. �` GP 17. Vbrant Downtown. The city, business community, state government and cultural institutions, as well as the Saint Paul community at large, will work together to ensure that downtown growth continues and that each increment of new development and renovation contributes to the down- town's most vibrant future. Building on the strength of its setting, history and character, we will guide development of the public and private realms to realize the objectives of the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Devetopment Framework." This plan and the Land Use, Housing, and Parks and Recreation chapters of the Comprehensive City Plan support: Continued development of Wabasha Street as a main thoroughfare • connecting the Minnesota Capitol, the Mississippi River and the west side community through the downtown, 16 City of Saint Paul � I `� • • Continued evolution of downtown with all the uses that make it a vital 24-hour community and center for the east metro region: office, retail, • govemment, culture, entertainment, visitor accommodations and housing, • Development of building design guidelines and circulation improve- ments which emphasize a quality environment for pedestrians, • Full attention to pedestrians, bicycles, transit and traffic movement in the design of street improvements, • Realization of the land use concepts of the Comprehensive City Plan for the Minnesota State Capitol area, and continued development of the Capitol campus as an open part of the city related comfortably to down- town and adjacent communities, and • Investment in transportation and public access infrastructure to facili- tate the redevelopment of the riverfront downtown. � GP 12. Access and Parking Downtown. Expansion of parking facilities down- town will be needed for increments of growth. These should be balanced with substantiai improvement to transit as well as bicycle and walking access. The need for parking space also should be reduced by collaborative management • of parking resources and by incentives for car pools and transit use. � GP 13. Residential Downtown. The residential role of downtown Saint Paul will increase substantially, with perhaps as many as 3,000 new housing opportunities in linked urban villages in and around the business district. Urban village opportunities are outlined in the "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework." Corridors for Growth Ciorridors that have served transportation throughout Saint Paul's history structure the city and are the lifelines of connection and access. Changes in transportation have left several corridors with vacant and under-used land that is an important resource for a period of growth. Recent corridor studies have identified major opportunities to create jobs and housing in the River � Corridor, the Midway/University Avenue Corridor, the Phalen Corridor, the Great Northem (Como) Corridor, and the West Seventh Corridor. Comprehensive Plan �7 Figure A: Five Corridors for Growth �J �° GP 74. Corridor Development Work should continue with community and � business organizations and other units of government on planning and redevelopment projects along corridors where several growth opportunities are interconnected. Itt the process, Saint Pau] will seek new ways to inte- grate business and industrial job creation with housing development and the improvement of existing neighborhoods. � GP 15. River Corridor. Saint Paul will continue to give high priority to the transformation of the River Corridor. While some industrial uses should remain, particularly in parts of the southem portion, this corridor is evolv- ing from a predominantly heavy industrial past into a renewed center for activity and enjoyment of Saint Paul's natural setting. The "Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework" communicates the vision and the guidelines for development of the central portion of the River Corridor. While the Framework itself is not an element of the Comprehensive Plan, its principles and vision are endorsed as appropriate for that portion of the River Corridor. The Land Use, Transportation, and Parks and Recreation chapters support: Continuation of appropriate improvement and development of the River • Corridor as a priority, making sure changes are consistent with the enhancement of its natural ecology, 18 City of Saint Paul 9 9 -8y • Mixed use urban village development to extend the urban fabric back to the river, �• Improvement of public access and recreational uses throughout the corridor, • Continuation of industrial uses in portions of the corridor identified in the Land Use chapter, • Restriction of new development in the floodplain (or within 300 feet of the water) to those entities which have a relationship to the river, need a river location or can enhance the river environment, • Transportation investments that emphasize pedestrian opportunities and strengthen neighborhood connections, and • Maintenance of Shepard Road and Wamer Road as principal transporta- tion arteries. • Development consistent with Critical Area standards and the River cor- ridor plan to be revised in 1999. GP 16. University Avenue Corridor/Midway. Continued investment in the Midway Corridor will support its strong potential for business development as a readily accessible area between the downtowns of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. University Avenue should continue to be developed as both a transit corridor and a mixed use business street, serving city and neighbor- hood needs. The Land Use and Transportation chapters support: • Redevelopment at key sites that are identified in the Land Use chapter, • Higher densities of households and employment along the corridor that require and support better transit, • Redesign and redevelopment to make the auto-oriented regional shop- ping area comfortable for pedestrians and to enhance storefront, pedes- trian-oriented commercial centers along the avenue, and • Establishment of the "central corridor"(of which University Avenue is a spine) as the top priority for the development of transitways, busways and/or LRT, in the region. � GP 17. Phalen Corridor. The Phalen Corridor initiative should be carried � through and serve as a model for neighborhood revitalization work. The Land Use and 'I7ansportation chapter policies support: Comprehensive Plan 19 • Redevelopment of significant sites within the corridor and continued pursuit of the corridor's integrated goals, • Continued work to fund construcUon of the boulevard and other infra- � structures, and Development and connections that will strengthen the urban village characteristics of neighborhoods adjacent to the corridor. � GP 18. Open Space and River Connections. In corridor planning and develop- ment, close attention must be paid to environmental quality, and Saint Paul must take advantage of opportunities to enhance and extend the open space network formed by the river corridor, bluffs, parks and parkways. Neighborhood connections to the Mississippi River Corridor will be enhanced along river tributaries such as the Phalen Corridor, through appropriate trail and road connections, infrastructure design, and land use planning and regulation. '� GP 19. West Seventh Street (Riverview) Corridor. Reinvestment evident in West Seventh neighborhoods and along the street itself are evidence of new life in this corridor. Tank farms between the street and the river corri- dor have given way to a new business park and new opportunities for other � neighborhood development. New planning underway will set direction for a new entry to Saint Paul at the southeast end, a stronger community busi- ness street here and new housing and business opportunity. A good portion of our opportunities for a new and better relationship with the river lie within this corridor which has recently been identified as the Riverview 'IYansit Corridor by Ramsey County and included in this plan's identified major corridors for transit improvement. The Land Use and Transportation chapters support: • Increased housing and transit-supportive development Development that takes maximum advantage of river corridor views, enhances the river corridor and is consistent with corridor development policies. Appropriate improvement of public transit in this corridor linking down- town Saint Paul to the international airport and the southwest metro region, and • A re-designed entry to the City at the river. r1 LJ 20 City of Saint Paul a 9-8y � GP20. Great Northern (Como) Corridoc A 1997 plan provides direction for redevelopment of the Ma�cson Steel/Dale Street Shops area and a vision for • this larger corridor of which it is a part. The entire corridor with the railroad as its spine runs from the Phalen Corridor at 35E through the Empire Builder Industrial Park and west to the Bridal Veil Industrial Park in Minneapolis. This Corridor and the Phalen Corridor have the potential to provide a ribbon of new industry and household-supporting jobs with relat- ed neighborhood development that runs between several of the city's older neighborhoods. Plan chapters support: . Implementation of the Great Northem Corridor Community Vision of 1997 and redevelopment planning for additional corridor sites. • Extension of Pierce Butler Road into the Dale Street Shops site and improvement of truck connections to 35E. Reforestation of the eactended corridor, strengthening its amenity value for ali Midway neighborhoods. Further study of the urban village potential of the Dale/COmo area with new housing near the new Front Street Elementary School. � Twansportation The public facilities for movement within a city, the system for transportation and circulation in all its forms, shape the city and create value for places with- in it. In recent years, a new set of values has begun to influence our trans- portation system, values that place at least as much priority on the quality of places as on the speed and ease of travel through them. In view of increased congestion projected with regional and city growth, as well as the commuting needs of the city's population, strong efforts are needed to improve public transit and to develop land use approaches that will reduce travel needs. � GP27. Travel and System Management. The city needs to encourage fewer and shorter trips and promote alternatives to single-occupant automobiles. Policies to accomplish this in the Transportation chapter include: i • Full support for an excellent and adequately funded bus system, Comprehensive Plan 21 • ToUOfMantl DormbWn NlnnNpplls To Ninneapolk WnMCtln9b Xbwatlu CortiGpr ToFOrt$Mllipy, � xbw�n.cwna«,umorc ana wm m�me.iea To 3M antl � eaekm suCwbs Figure B: Trdnsit Corridors , In cooperation with other agencies, investment in the infrastructure necessary for transit, car pools, biking and walking, NIanagement of land use to reduce trips and promote altemative modes of travel, and Promotion of regional development and investments that support alternative transportation modes and reduce trips, including a better balance between jobs and housing, and reduction of "sprawl" development. � GP22 Transportation Corridors. Redesign of the bus system should occur to provide excellent service along major corridors (limited stop "spines") and better intra- and inter-neighborhood service, with a continued strong focus on regular route service to the downtown and concentration on regular- route weekday service. Recommended corridors are illustrated in the pro- posed Transit Corridors Map. (p.17) � . 22 City of Saint Paul ��.w... fimetleManO ndlMm aYhiOya TO Yepl9YOOE Gall ____..._ _____ aa naNam au0urbs • • r. Economic Opportunity . Economic development is well established as a clear priority for Saint Paul, and healthy economic growth is a well recognized reality today. Compared to other parts of the region, the city is lacking in readily avail- able land for industrial use, a deficit that is being addressed in part by cleanup of land polluted by eariier industrial uses. A city with such com- plexities and competing interests as Saint Paul can present a challenging and costly environment for business development, a situation addressed by many measures in recent years, but one requiring continuing attention. The city's large work force gives it a strong strategic advantage for eco- nomic growth, but carefully targeted efforts are needed to connect that work force successfully with emerging economic opportunity. Other strate- gic advantages include the city's location, its strength as a civic and gov- emment center, and its educational, cultural and community resources. Therefore, high priorities for Saint Paul now are: to ensure that land resources with potential for business use are made available and used to their maximum economic and community benefit; • to ensure a welcoming and supportive environment in the city for new . and existing businesses, and; • to improve the education, skill and work-readiness level of the popula- tion for emerging economic opportunity. Other portions of this summary address the vitality of places for business in special districts and neighborhoods as well as potential for special corridor development. Background sources for the summary policies which follow include the Economic Development Strategy adopted in 1990; the Citywide Economic Agenda prepared for Mayor Coleman in 1994; and the continuing collabora- tive work with community, business and education partners, particularly on the task of shaping a work force development strategy appropriate for today's economy and Saint Paul's population. + GP23. Land Resources: Under-used Land and Brownfield Reuse. The city will take ful] advantage of the under-used land in Saint Pau] for continuing growth and fuifill the commitments of its Brownfield's Showcase Community designation. In partnership with the Port Authority and commu- • nity-based organizations, it will identify under-used and/or polluted land and provide a mechanism for quantifying remediation costs and identifying Comprehensive Plan 2S responsible parties. Then it will establish a yearly program for leveraging and investing scarce resources for remediation of the sites with the highest priority. . � � GP24. Intensive Use of IndusViai Land. Density of living-wage jobs will be a primary factor in determination of appropriate reuse of city sites with industrial and/or business potential. Office uses may offer greater potential than industrial development at some previously-industrial sites. � GP25. Integrated Neighborhood Improvement. Development of any major land area for business and industrial use should be regarded as an opportunity for improvement of the larger neighborhood of which it is a part. "� GP26. Business DevelopmeM: Coilaboration. There must be an effort to con- rinue the support and improvement of strong collaborative working relation- ships between major economic development agencies. These include the city, the Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Paul Port Authority, the Capital City Partnership, the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporarion and the Metro East Development Partnership. Communication and collaboration between resi- dents and businesses is especially important in neighborhood planning. � � GP27. Business Developmenc Industry Clusters. In collaboration with the Economic Development Partnership, the city must nurture the growth of industries, especially those within globally-competitive clusters with an established base in the east metro region (printing, machine tools, medical devices, computers and software, finance) as well as entry-level opportuni- ty sectors (retail, hospitality, human and personal services, health care, manufacturing and business and automotive services). The Mayor's Information Technology Council is an example of an industry/govemment partnership building on the strengths of the community for a particular seg- ment of industrial growth. • GP28. Business Development: Business Resources. With the help of the Business Review Council, Saint Paul will ensure that its department ser- vices and regulatory measures will be responsive to changing needs and foster business growth and appropriate accommodation of businesses in neighborhoods and business districts. In addition, the city will provide active outreach through the Business Resources Center of the Department of Planning and Economic Development to businesses that need informa- • Uon or other assistance. 24 City of Saint Paul ♦ GP29. Work Force Development By overcoming deficiencies in education and training, Saint Paul can expand economic opportunity for its citizens. • It must work as a fiill partner in the Community Employment Partnership to provide support to job seekers through community-based Work Resource Hubs and to provide support to employers through a private-sector work force development agency. The public schools should partner with the pri- vate sector, ensuring that graduates gain the skills appropriate to employer needs in the 21st century. Regional coordination of work force develop- ment also should be encouraged. � GP 30. Work Force Readiness: Social Support. Saint Paul will support Ramsey County and service-providing agencies in their efforts to improve the avail- ability of quality child care so that this is not an obstacle to participation in the work force. The city will encourage adequate state and federal funding for child care and other family support, and recognize transportation, hous- ing, child care and other family support as components of economic devel- opment in neighborhood planning. � Community Development �n the Communiry DevelopmentAgenda completed in 1996 by a broad part- nership, a"community development" is defined as "the act of working together to ensure that Saint Paul is a nurturing environment for families and individuals and a good place to do business."Most of the components of the Comprehensive Plan outlined here have a bearing on community development by this definition. Most of the city's role in response to the four major strategies of the Communiry Development Agenda is speiled out in the other components of this plan. �' GP 31. Community Development With a broad community partnership, Saint Paul can continue to support the Community Development Agenda initia- tives: An Even Better Place to Raise Children, No 17uce With Poverly, High Quality City Living and EJfective Civic Collaboration. City government's role includes: • Collaborative leadership and program work for economic and • work force development, as outlined elsewhere in this document, Comprehensive Plan 25 q q-89 • Planning and development work for improved physical quality, improved transportation and improved housing opportunities, and Supportive coilaborarion and mayoral leadership, where appropriate, for • progress in areas where the city does not have the major program role, including education, child care, and welfare reform. � GP32 Centers for Community Life. The city, in partnership with its commu nities, will work to strengthen the community building role of parks and recreation centers by providing for safe and secure access, programming that contributes to stable neighborhoods and the removal of barriers to par- ticipation, as outlined in the Parks and Recreation chapter. The city will continue to support partnership efforts to strengthen family and community life, such as FamiIy Resource Centers and Achievement Plus schools. ♦ GP33. Inclusive Community We have no tolerance for racism and intend to provide the broadest access possible to all benefits of community life in Saint Paul, free from barriers based on race or ethnicity. • Regional Interdependence Saint Paul's growth and development are interwoven with those of the entire region. A sustainable future for the'IWin Cities region requires replacement of some of the sprawling growth we can otherwise expect at the fringes with more intensive use of the existing urban fabric. Reinvestment in the region's centers is a key commitment of regional growth strategy. Saint Paul's ability to sustain itself as a dynamic urban center has been hampered by inequities in the burden of costs for our present regionai development pattern. These inequities reflect a history of private invest- ment and public policy that has supported easy e3cpansion of the region at the cost of disinvestment in the older centers. � GP34. Tradi6onal Strengths. To realize the best of what our historic urban fab- ric and new urban development can contribute to the region, Saint Paul will � build on its traditional urban neighborhood and city center strengths. 26 City ofSaint Paul �9-89 • GP35. Civic, Business and Cultural Centers. Saint PaUl will maintain vital, inviring civic, business and cultural centers at the heart of the city and realize • the full potential of other city business centers for additional economic activiry. • � GP36. Opportunitles for Growth. As a growing city with expanding economic and urban residential opportunities, Saint Paul will accommodate a signifi- cant share of regional growth in housing and jobs over the next 20 years, at least 6,000 additional households and 11,000 additional jobs by the year 2020. � GP37. Regional Collaboration. Collaborating with neighboring communities and other regional jurisdictions will help Saint Paul achieve development that reinforces a strong, sustainable role for the city and the region as a whole, including improved transit, a broad range of housing choices, and appropriate restoration/development of the river corridor. s GP38. Shared Costs. Saint Paul will support efforts to correct inequities in taxes, fees and infrastructure investment which perpetuate disinvestment in the central city and to shift the priority in the use of public resources to reinvestment. Efforts inciude those recently initiated to review and restruc- ture Sewer Accessibility Charges, restraints on extending the Interstate . Highway network, and the targeting of redevelopment resources, including funds for cleanup of polluted land. In particular, the city will insist on broadly shared responsibility for meeting affordable housing needs. � Comprehensive Plan Z� Credits The Saint Paul Planning Commission Gladys Morton, Chair* Esperanza Duarte' )ennifer Engh* Carole Faricy Litton Field, )r. Anne Geisser, Chair, Comprehensive Planning Committee* Dennis Gervais Steve Gordon Georgejohnson Soliving Kong Richard Kramer* 'llmothy Mardell* Michael Margulies David McDonell* Cathy Nordin Dick Nowlin* Michael Sharpe* Imogene 'IYeichel� Mark Vaught Barbara Wencl* *Comprehensive Planning Committee Norm Coleman, Mayor The City City Council Jay Benanav Jerry Blakey Dan Bostrom, President Chris Coleman Mike Harris Kathy Lantry Jim Reiter Department of Planning and Economic Development Pamela Wheelock, Director Tom Harren, Northwest Team Leader Ken Ford, Planning Administrator Research and Planning Larry Soderholm, Ken Ford Report Production Planner-in-Charge Jean Birkholz, Secretary Kristi Kuder . � The City of Saint Paul does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, sex, sexual or affectional orientation. age, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, marital status, religion, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or � activities. 28 City of Saint Paul .� IMPLEMENTATION The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Community Review Draft January 1999 99-�9 �/ 9-89 4 Contents High Priorities for Action 3 Land Use Regulation: The Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance 4 Urban Design and Site Plan Review 6 Fiscal Tools Capital Improvement Program Housing 7 9 9 Area Plans and Geographic Focus 11 Community Partnerships Intergovernrriental Support 11 12 The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan 13 Measures required for implementation are identified in each of the chapters of the Comprehensive Plan. This chapter reviews the range of ineasures and funding resources important for implementation including continued updating of the plan itself, and identifies those steps that stand out as the highest priorities for the immediate future. 2 High Priorities for Action Certain imperatives stand out for implementation of this plan-key priorities for action without which neither the City's nor the region's stron�est future will be realized. They aze areas for action that require broad cooperation between the City, county, state, metropolitan and federal government, Saint Paul and regional institutions and agencies, and neighborhoods, business associations, and the larger business community. Action Priority 1: Housing Progress New housing for a shaze of the region's growth can complement Saint Paul's excellent and diverse housing supply and add new vigor to the city's center and our neighborhoods. Success will depend on our ability to respond to stronQ mazket interest in good urban housing opportunities. It will depend on our ability to provide for mixed-income communities in innovative ways and to provide a wide ran�e of choice in Saint Paul and throughout the region. Doing that will require a higher level of public resources to address the lowest income needs. Without a substantially more effective housing effort regionally, Saint Paul cannot make its strongest contribution to a vital region. Action Priority 2: Full Use of Land Resources The resource that attracts development at the fringe is undeveloped land. The resource that is providing for a redirection of some of the gro��Yh to strengthened city centers is previously developed land that needs to be recycled. Resources, some of them public, will have to be available to overcome the costs of pollution, obsolete infrastructure and sometimes relocation of current inefficient uses. The resources Minnesota has already directed to this effort are paying off well in economic growth. The plan identifies the increased levels of support that would allow more complete reatization of the potential over the next 20 yeazs. Action Priority 3: Better Transit Saint PauPs strongest future won't be possible under the familiar formula for transportation: more people, more cars, more congestion, more money and space devoted to parking. The land use and transportation policies of this plan, in accordance with regional policy, urge a development pattern in which transit can work more effectively. Substantial progress on better public transit for the region, including a stable resource base at the state level, is essential for Saint Paul's future. Action Priority 4: Partnership Planning and Development Our region has been known nationally for our ability to work together to solve problems, and this ability among our communities is one of Saint Paul's strengths. But it is an ability that is constantly challenged by mistrust between communities and interest groups, by entrenched / • � • interests, by political rivalries and bureaucratic channels, the press of immediate concerns and, simply, the diffic�fty of good communication. This plan does not provide a prescription for the future of every block in Saint Paul. It's effectiveness depends heavily on more refined planning or cooperative decision-making at the neighborhood and special district level and around specific issues. Cooperation of adjacent community, regional, state and federal policy makers and agencies is critical as weil. Excellent models of partnership effort mentioned elsewhere in this plan point the way: the partnerships for growth corridors, for downtown and the riverfront, for housing and community development, for neighborhood planning, and for workforce and economic development. Land Use Regulation: The Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance Provisions of the zoning ordinance particularly important for plan implementation: For the most part, improvement and redevelopment that meets the standards of the Comprehensive Plan can be realized under the existing Saint Paul Zoning Ordinance with some strategic amendments. The current zoning code was developed with careful attention to the small lot pattern of the city's older neighborhoods. Several provisions and characteristics of the current code are useful for realization of the intensified urban fabric proposed by the land use plan. The RT "duplex" zones designed for the extensive small-lot early neighborhoods accommodate residential structures at densities typical of town house development. A fine-grain zoning pattern has evolved at neighborhood business centers that supports traditional neighborhood mix, though amendments can provide greater flexibility and encouragement for mixed use. New zoning districts devised through special studies for Grand Avenue were intended particularly to help maintain the Avenue's commercial-residential mix and pedestrian scale. These have been successful and may provide useful models for other streets. Space devoted to parking downtown is a matter of market demand; the zoning code would not prevent development that would rely more heavily on transit. River Corridor Ordinance amendments to the zoning code and bluff protection/steep slope deuelopment regulations provide special protection for sensitive areas. Subdivision regulations included in the zoning code help ensure that any new subdivision of land is done in a manner that provides appropriate access and otherwise a good fit with public networks and is consistent with the comprehensive plan. No amendments to the subdivision regulations are proposed at this time for purposes of plan implementation. Changes to zoning ordinance needed to further plan implementation Zoning ordinance changes are needed to provide greater flexibility for mixed use development and to enhance protection of the urban neighborhood fabric in Saint Paul and ensure its most effective extension in new development. The following measures will be taken in the immediate future, 1999 - 2004: Provide an urban village overlay district that will provide flexibility for density and mixed use, include basic urban village design guidelines, and provide for design plan enforcement Consider other plan overlay districts to enhance plan implementation in azeas of transition. Review neighborhood commercial zoning and modify provisions to: Increase transit-supporting multi-family zoning where appropriate; Reduce parking requirements for new development, perhaps by 20 percent; Require new commercial buildings to be built out to the sidewalk--e.g., at least 40% of the lot frontage to be built within ten feet of the front lot line; Require parking lots to be built to the side and reaz--e.g., no more than 60 percent of the lot frontage can be occupied by pazking. 4. Where city-wide zoning changes are not appropriate or not completed, implement the measures above through individual neighborhood planning and zoning efforts. 5. Decide whether any of the downtown design guidelines from the Saint Pau1 on the Mississippi Development Framework (pp. 38-48) should be put into the Zoning Code, e.g., "extroverted" building design with doors and windows facing the sidewalk; design at downtown "gateways" and along "prime edges," buildings of appropriate scale, etc. Adopt amendments required to bring river comdor zoning into conformance with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area management plan and meet other needs as determined in the River Conidor Plan revision process of 1999. 7. As plans are completed, make zoning map revisions along: (a) the River Cor�idor; (b) University Avenue Corridor; (c) Phalen Corridor; (d) Great Northern Corridor; (e) Riverview Corridor. 8. For developable sites along freeways and major arterial streets, rezone land in 1999 if the desired future land use is known. For sites where the future land use is not known, the land can be designated as a"study area" and the current zoning can be left in place. 9. Rezone land for residential development when the Planning Commission's work with district councils identifies sites and appropriate zoning categories for them. 10. Propose an accessory apartment ordinance to permit "mother-in-law" apartsnents in owner- occupied homes greater than 2,000 square feet if it is determined that owner-occupancy can be established as a condition. I 1. Enact higher tree planting standards in the River Corridor and maybe in the proposed greenway corridors; strengthen tree planting standards generally. � r� 12. Monitor zoning experience and municipal zoning ordinance development nationally to determine the additional amendment or major zoning ordinance replacement that will likely be called for in the period 2005 - 2010. Additional, and perhaps for extensive, amendment will be required beyond 2004. Many cities aze experimenting with new zoning approaches that have the promise of stronger support and encouragement for the fine-grain, mixed-use and mixed-income well-designed development that this plan envisions for Saint Paul. Characteristics of newer zoning approaches include: • greater emphasis on built form; less on the specifics of use • recognition of the special character of districts within the city • better graphic communication of standards • use of performance criteria where appropriate • simplification of procedures and quick processing where clear standards aze followed • more flexibility for development that supports a strong pedestrian environment and relies more heavily on public transit While implementation of this plan can be supported with a number of amendments to the current zoning ordinance, by the yeaz 2005 when the current ordinance is 23 years old, virtually complete replacement of the ordinance may be in order. Approaches for revision should be evaluated over the next few years and major revision scheduled for 2005-2010 if indicated. Urban Design and Site Plan Review . All proposals for development in Saint Paul with the exception of one and two-family residential structures are reviewed through a coordinated, inter-departmental process that addresses zoning, public safety, emergency vehicle access, traffic ingress and egress, storm water management, parking and landscaping and any standards or guidelines for building form and other urban design concerns that apply to the area. Though design guidelines developed for some areas do not have the force that an official design district/design review process with a design reviec�' board would provide, they can be the basis for recommendations and negotiated provisions in the site plan review process. The Saint Paul Design Center was established in 1998 to focus a new level of concern for urban design considerations engendered by the completion of die Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework and, specifically, to ensure implementation of that plan's vision and design principles. Downtown and the river corridor remain the primary focus of the design center's work, though the intention is to support application of design principles throughout the city as much as possible. The core principles of the Development Framework are applied throughoLit the CiYy, and this application is formalized with the adoption of this comprehensive plan. In the 1999-20Q4 period, the foIlowing are important for realization of the quality objectives of the comprel�ensive plan: • Full support for development of the collaborative Saint Paul Design Center and expansion of its purview to include at least other major corridor redeveIopment; • Continued and expanded use of design guidelines for neighborhood commercial centers and other special districts that aze the subject of azea plans; • Monitoring of success with design guidelines and design center negotiations and consideration of the need for implementation of formal design district provisions; and • Continued vigorous attention to design objectives important to city and neighborhood objectives where publically owned land or other public resources aze used. Fiscal Tools Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Tax Increment Financing is a critical tool for re-development and pollution cleanup of the central city. The City of Saint Paul contends with extraordinary public costs to remove blight that otherwise prevents redevelopment and job creation. Restrictions created by legislation in recent yeazs have limited the application of TIF not only for economic development, but also for redevelopment and environmental remediation. Concurrently, State and Federal resources have also diminished. The City of Saint Paul will continue to support changes in governing regulations that ease the limitations for redevelopment and pollution cleanup. Additionally, the City of Saint Paul will encourage the State to review ttie job location rule in light of the demonstrated need to locate economic growth near concentrated populations of potential employees. Other City Tools STAR - Sa1es Tax Revitalization Program, also know as the "`/z cent sales tax program." Star is a flexible funding program that provides support for creative local community responses to development opportunities., It will be the responsibility of the STAR board as well as the Planning Commission and the City Council in their reviews to ensure that STAR projects individuaAy and the STAR program as a whole are contributing effectively to realization of Comprehensive Plan objectives. CIB - Capital Fmprovement Bonds. Capital improvement bonds provide the most basic funding for yearly investment in capital facility improvements. (See description of capital improvement budgeting below.) Government Aid The City of Saint Paul uses funds from multiple government sources for housing, economic development, infrastructure, and other purposes. The following is a non-ezchaustive list of current major sources that aze important for plan objectives. Federal Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) 7 s. ! • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - many applications • Emergency Shelter Grant - McKinney Funds • Economic Development Initiative • Enterprise Zone Enterprise Community Funds (EZEC) • Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) - multiple programs • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)/Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) • Welfare-to-Work • Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) • Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) of the Department of Justice • TEA-21, formerly known as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) • Low-Income Tax Credits • Authority to Issue Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonds, generally for mortgage or rental housing (also State) State • Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) - multiple programs • Department of Economic Security (DES) - multiple programs such as youth training • Brownfields funding through muItiple agencies including Department of Trade and Econamic Development and the Metropolitan Council • Children, Families, and Learning - funds multiple after school youth programs/jobs through the Parks and Recreation Department • Minnesota Department of Health - maternal Child Health Grant • Department of Public Safety Strikeforce Program = anti-criminal gang activities Regional • Livable Communities Accounts - Metropolitan CounciI Intermediaries/Partnering Organizations Millions of dollars are leveraged for City purposes through partnerships ar collaborations with intermediaries and other organizations. Currently the non-profit Friends of Saint Paul Public Libraries is undertaking a capital campaign to raise over a million dollars for the library system. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation has partnered with the City and other organizations to invest tens of million of dollars during the 1990s in housing and economic development. Such partnerships are critical for a vibrant Saint Paul and to realization of plan objectives. The following list identifies some current partners. • HRA - Housing and Redevelopment Authority • Port Authority • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) • Minuesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) - multiple programs • Family Housing Fund Metropolitan Library Services Agency (MLSA) Friends of Saint Paul Public Libraries Capital Improvement Program The Capital Allocation Policy is a critical link between the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan and capital budget decisions. The Policy guides departments and community organizations in development of proposals and the Capital Improvement Budget Committee as well as other policy bodies in evaluating them. The Planning Commission reviews the policy and recommends revisions every two years. A major simplificarion and refocus of the policy is recommended for the 1999 budget yeaz. Experience has indicated that the complexity of the previous policy is out of scale with the magnitude of discretionary funds in the process in any one year, and also mitigates against a cleaz focus on priorities. A new Capital Allocation Policy w be completed early in 1999. Saint PauPs Capital Improvement Program also is somewhat redesigned for 1999 for greater efficiency and clarity. Preparation of a five-year capital improvement program will be overseen by the Capital Improvement Budget Committee, the broadly representati� body that continues to play a central role in the City's Unified Capital Improvement Budgetina Process. Housing The Saint Paul Housing Plan represents a 10-20 year agenda for both the City of Saint Paul and the many partner-agencies whose policies and programs both have an impact on and aze essential to Saint Paul's efforts to meet its goals. Those partners range from H(JD and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to the Metropolitan Council, LISC/NEF and Famil}� Housing Fund to the Public Housing Agency and the many community development corporations who link a citywide agenda with neighborhood plans. Even within City government, responsibility for the implementation of housing policy is shared among several departments. Given the multiplicity of implementors, Saint Paul's experience has been that it is valuable to establish a coordinating body and bi-annual action programs to facilitate collaboration and ensure accountability. Bi-annual plans also meet the requirements of participation in the Metropolitan CounciPs Livable Communities Program. A Housing Coordination Team was convened in 1991 with the City Council�s approval of the Housing Policy for the 1990s. Directors, or their designees, of PED's Housing Division, the Division of Housing Code Enforcement, the Certificate of Occupancy pro�ram, the Public Housing Agency, the Housing Information Office, and a representative of the City Attorney's office have met monthly and been responsible for developing the bi-annual Housing Action Program and monitoring its implementation. Adoption of a new housing plan is a good opportunity for the City and its partners to recommit themselves to such a collaboration. Specifically to implement the comprehensive plan: 13. With the assistance ofthe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), PED should convene a task force with balanced representation from public agencies, private funders, for-profit and non-profit developers and housing and neighborhood ad� ocates to develop an annual Housing Action Plan for 1999. Such a task force should be con��ened annually to prepare and recommend to the City Council by October 1 a Housing Action Plan for the following year. 14. The Housing Action Plan should include: (a) Goals for the production of housin� units by price range. The Housing Plan calls for the production of 300-400 units each year with 60-80 being affordable to households with incomes below 80% of the regional median, with half of those being affordable to households «ith incomes below 50% of the regional median. In addition, the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five-Year Housing and Homeless Services Plan calls for the development (thouoh not necessarily construction) of 250 units of transitional housing and 650 units of permanent supportive housing throughout the county over a five year period. (b) Goals for the rehabilitation of existine housing units. (c) Goals for the provision of mortgage financing by the City. ` (d) Identification of expiring Section 8/236 contracts and plans for the preservation of the units involved. (e) Identification of lead implementing oraanizations and funding sources for each of the above goals. ( fl Identification of key zoning studies that should be initiated by the Planning Commission. (g) Identification of neighborhood plans or studies that should be undertaken in anticipation of potential development or redevelopment. Potential proposals for submission for Livable Commtmities funding also should be identified for study, planning and proposal development. (h) Federal, state and city legislative initiatives related to housing policy. Specifically, the Hoz�sing Plan ca11s for an early review of the Ciry's Replacement Housing Policy outlined in Chapter 93 of [he Administrative Code for the purpose of identifying any appropriate amenrlments and reaffirming the Cih�'s commitment to that policy. (i) Report on the extent to which the pre� ious year's goals were met. (j) Identification of appropriate amendments to the Housing Plan. 3. The City's Housing Coordinatiou Team should be convened under the leadership of a �, . �. 10 person identified and assigned by the Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development. The Team shall meet on a monthly basis and be responsible for: monitoring the City's progress toward meeting its goals as identified in the Housing Action Plan; for identifying and addressing key housing issues as they azise; and maintaining appropriate data for the purpose of developing the annual Action Plan. Area Pians and Geographic Focus Among the most important means for implementation of the comprehensive plan is the continued refinement of its provisions and their application to specific districts, corridors, sites and issues in more focused planning and action decisions. Saint Paul has a strong history of neighborhood and special district planning. The continuation of this tradition in a manner that reflects the variety of partnership arrangements through which changes aze made today is addressed in the land use chapter. For the immediate future (1999-2004) the following will be important: Guidelines for azea plans that will clarify those issues that need to be addressed for realization of this plan's objectives and help to ensure city/local azea coordination. (These guidelines will be published by the planning commission in 1999.); A strengthened review process for area plans as outlined in the land use chapter to ensure consistency with the comprehensive plan; Broad area planning participation including the business and non-profit communities; City inter-departmental liaison to area planning efforts to ensure communication, particularly where the city is not providing staff assistance to the effort. The "Corridors for Growth" described in the land use chapter focus major planning and development resources geographically to support realization of plan objectives. An inter- disciplinary focus of city staff resources as well as good on-going communication with community interest groups is further supported by the organization of the staff of the Department of Plannin� and Economic Development into four teams, each with responsibility for planning and development services to one quadrant of the city. Community Partnerships Implementation of the comprehensive plan will be successful to the extent that the vision is broadly shared and the effort involved reflects a continuation of the strong community partnership efforts evident in Saint Paul today. Examples, and this is onh a few, include neighborhood, City, non-profit, Saint Paul Schools and business cooperation in the Main Street on Payne Avenue project the very broad coalition with business leadership that oversees the Phalen Corridor Initiative including Minnesota and Ramsey County officials; the neighborhood organizations, Port Authority, Wilder Foundation and City and State representatives working together to shape and implement a vision for the Dale Street shops/Maxson Steel site and its larger corridor environment; and the extensive corporate, foundation and City cooperation 11 .. �- represented by the Capital City Partnership. Broad dissemination of this plan to ensure understanding of its major directions will support coordinated partnership work. Continued dialoQue, work, and contribution of needed resources to ensure the success of current efforts will build strong models for the future. Intergovernmental Support The actions of several governmental jurisdictions are critical to the realization of the best future for the City of Saint Paul. The need for better ongoing communication among them has been well recognized in taYation panning, in the Community Development Agenda, in the dialogue about regional growth, and in many other forums. Listed below are some of the clearest priorities for other jurisdictions for implementation of the comprehensive plan. Saint Paul Schools and the Education Communiry Promotion of strong educational opportunity for Saint Paul young people with both broad choice and neighborhood anchors; Continued support of Achievement Plus schools and good charter school alternatives; Participation in area planning efforts where individual schools have a stake; and Continued support of Community Development Agenda initiatives. Saint Paul and Minneapolis Shared interests in regional development issues Cooperation on state legislative initiatives important to the central cities Continued support ofmulti jurisdictional programs and services (Family Housing Fund, Neighborhood Housing Services) Explore possibilities for better standardization of land use and other regulatory measures between (at least) the two cities to reduce complications for redevelopment. Metropolitan Council Leadership for a strong effart to meet affordabte housing needs on a region-wide basis Vigorous planning and implementation of improved public transit including both a corridor focus and a more varied fleet of vehicles that can serve a Qreater variety of needs Implementation of growth policy including reduction of large-lot development at the fringe, protection of agricultural land, and channeling investment to redevelopment that strengthens and intensifies the region's existing urban fabric Pursuit of more adequate funding for the Livable Communities accounts State Government Support of partnership efforts such as corridor redevelopment Continued strong attention to low income housing needs and more adequate funding for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency programs Strengthened and consistent support for public transit including a stable funding base Adequate support for brown field cleanup and related site preparation costs to increase the 12 rate of reclamation of underused and polluted industrial land Implementation of the Capitol Area Comprehensive Plan and continued cooperative work with the City of Saint Paul for implementation of the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework. Federal Government Adequate funding for continued maintenance and improvement of Saint PauPs outstanding public housing Restoration of £unding for housing certificates and vouchers for the lowest income households Full funding of the Transportation Efficiency Act. The Saint Pau{ Comprehensive Plan The 20-yeaz period kept in view for development of comprehensive plan policies is more unknown than known. Maintenance of the plan as a useful statement of Saint Paul development policy will require reb lar attention to policy update needs that will be indicated by experience and by changes in the environment. Within a few yeazs, the impacts of regional growth for this period, and of the implementation of regional growth policy, may look somewhat different from what we envision today. National and global economic trends have a significant impact on the 1999 outlook and significant changes in those trends could have significant policy unplications. Changes in metropolitan, state and federal policy affecting urban development will inevitably require new policy responses from the City. Experience with consistency provisions-the state law provision that gives precedence to the comprehensive plan in case of a conflict with the zoning ordinance-may suggest some policy revision. To ensure the continuing usefulness of the comprehensive pian the City will in 1999-2000 institute a biennial monitoring, review and amendment process for all city-wide chapters. By 2005, a review of the plan should be made to identify those areas where policy obsolescence requires major chapter replacement, and a complete revision should be completed by 2010. 13