00-63QR1�1NA�.
Council File # �� � �p 3
Resolution #
Green Sheet # /�C/�Q���P
RESOLUTION
Presented By
Referred To
1 RESOLUTION ADOP1'ING THE SiJMivIARY OF
2 A PI.AN FOR CAPITOL HEIGHTS
3 AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE SAINT PAUL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
4
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
ZO
21
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23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
WI�REAS, the City of Saint Paul is authorized under Minnesota Statues, Section 462.353, to carry on
comprehensive municipal planning activities for guiding the future development and improvement ofthe city; and
WIIEREAS, the City of Saint Paul, as a local government unit within the metropolitan area, is required under
Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.858, to prepare a comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council is authorized under Minnesota Statutes, Section 462355, to adopt or
amend a comprehensive plan or portion thereof after a recommendation by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council adopted, by Council File 98-1133 on March 3, 1999, the Land Use Plan
as a chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Plan provided far the adoption of summaries of area plans as addenda to the
comprehensive plan; and
Wf1EREAS, A Plan for Capitol Heights was prepared by a community-based task force convened by the District
7 Planning Council, Crreater Frogtown Community Development Corporation and Capitol Heights Block Club and
including representatives drawn from among neighborhood residents, community organizations and local
institutions; and
By:
Approved
By:
By
Approved
�.
by Mayo Date �
By:
Requested by
By:
Form Approved
by City Attorney
�!"-r'ti. 1✓�w /—,. oa
by Mayor for Submission to Council
� r � � �')`G
/
Adopted by Council: Date �( d�
Adoption Certified by Council Secretary
45 WHEREAS, a summary ofA Plan for CapitoZHeights was presented to the Plam�ing Commission for its 00 •G3
46 review; and
47
48 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, after a public hearing on December 3, 1999, and consideration of
49 public testimony, recommended, by its Resolution 99-92 approved on December 17, 1999, adoption of the
50 summary by the City Council;
51
52 NOW, TIIEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the area plan summary ofA Plan for CapitoZHeights, is
53 adopted as an area plan addendum to the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan contingent upon review by the
54 Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities.
PED WEST TEAM
�anCy �I01173ri5
266-6557
TOTAL � OF SIGNATURE PAGES
OATE WRIATEO
Ol/06/00
GREEN SHEET
oErNn�xrowEaa�
�
oo-G3
No ios��s
tnnmwe.
a�reour,�
� u�r�noxxr.v � aneuwK _
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I`tiwvae�u�swrwm ��SG�L � �"��
T
(CLJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
Adopt resolution adopting the azea plan summary of A Plan for Capitol Heights as' an addendum to The Saint
Pau1 Comprehensive Plan.. '
Ci01H1Ci� �����'^,�; i°�s"'?c.�
��€� � �` ����
PIANNING COMMISSION
CIB CAMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Hes this PerooMim evarv.nilceL under a contraet tarthis depaAmeM')
YES NO
Fias tn� p�eon�firm e�er bee� a uty emcbY��
V6 NO
Does th'�s Persanlfirm G�sees a slall nd normaity0� M/ anv wrteM a1Y emPloYee7
YES NO
Is Mk pe,isoMrm a tarpeted �nndoYt �
YES NO.
Capitol Heights community developed a plan to serve as an agenda for the revitalization af the ai� and presented
it to the City for adoption as City policy. "' -' "' '
, � -� �,..� _,
,.,.o. i;. ,!i.�^tF
... : •4. Gi �'. � _.
- ' ' ;t'i�: r.
w
�. �M�. _ u--._`:.✓�,..._��
Adoption of the plan will strengthen the process of priority setting, resource allocation and partnership formation
azound the critical issues in the area.
None.
azea would not have a rational basis. There would be no legal authority for redevelopment
COETIREVENUE BUDOETm (GRCLE ONE)
SOURGE
INFORMATION (EXPWt�
ACTNII'Y NUY9ER
VE3 NO
po-G3
l.11 l �r" SA�r pA�. 39QCityHaCC Telephone: 65]-2668510
NormColeman,Mayor ISWestKeIIoggBoulevard FacsrmrZe:651-228-8513
Smn[Pau{ MN SSIO2
January 12, 1999
Council President Dan Bostrom
and Members of the City Council
320B City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Dear Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers,
It is my pleasure to transmit to you the area plan summary of A Plan for Capitol
Helghts and to recommend its adoption as an addendum to the Saint Paul
Comprehensive Plan. Prepared by a community-based task force the plan includes a
series of strategies designed to spark the revitalization of one of our many urban
villages. Investing in the rehabilitation of existing housing, fonning partnerships to
build new units on vacant and underused land, encouraging new investment on Rice
Street and connecting this pocket neighborhood wath downtown, the Mississippi River,
Como Park and the Gateway Trail aze all priorities for those who live and work in the
area.
As you know, we now prepare suminaries of area plans of all kinds to be considered for
inclusion in the comprehensive plan. While the entire document, A Plan for Capitol
Heights, will be available and will guide decisions at all levels, adopring a shorter
summary as part of the comprehensive plan makes that plan more accessible for all
those who need to understand Saint Paul's overall development agenda.
The Pianning Commission has reviewed this suinmary and held a public hearing. They
recommend its adoption. I concur with their recommendation. �
incerely,
�v ���
Norm Coleman
Mayor
Enclosure
po -�3
city of samt paul
planning commission resolution
file number 99-9
date December 17, 1999
RESOLUTION RECO�IENDING ADOPTION OF
TI-TE SUMMARY OF A PLAN FOR CAPITOL HEIGHTS
AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE SAINT PAUL CO�IIPREHENSIVE PLAN
WHEREAS the Capitol Heights Small Area Plan Task Force, convened by the District 7
Planning Council, the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation, and the
Capitol Hei�hts Block Club, and drawing its membership from area residents, business persons
and local institutions and agencies, developed and recommended to the Planning Commission A
Plan for Capitol Heights on January 14, 1999; and
WHEREAS the plan details an agenda for the revitalization of the area bounded by University
Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Jackson Street and Marion Street, addressing issues related to
the rehabilitation of the existin� housing stock, the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized
land, the establishment of Rice Street as a neighborhood mainstreet, stabilizing the area's
bluffs and slopes connecting the neighborhood with its surrounding amenities; and
WHEREAS the Planning Commission is authorized under Minnesota Statutes Section
462.355(2) and Chapter 107 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to recommend to the Mayor
and City Council amendments to the comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS the Z.and Use Plan, adopted by the City Council on March 3, 1999, provides for
the adoption of summaries of area plans as addenda to The Saint Paz�l Comprehe�:sive Plan
upon findings by the Plannin� Commission that the plans are consistent with adopted City
policies; and
WHEREAS the Planning Commission, on December 3, 1999, held a public hearin; on A Plan
for Capitol Heights, notice of which was published in the Saint Paul Legal Ledger on
November 11, 1999; and
moved by Fa
seconded by
i n favor Unanimous
against
40-G3
A Plan for Capitol Heights
Page Two of Resolution
WHEREAS testimony received at the public hearing was uniformly supportive of the plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saint Paul Planning Commission finds that
A Plan for Capitol Heights is consistent with The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan and other
relevant City policies and recommends the adoption of the plan summary by the City Council
as an addendum to the comprehensive plan. '
O D -G 3
Area Plan Stunmary
A Plan for Capitol Heights
Addendum to The Comnrehensive Plan for Saint Paul
Adopted by the City Council (date)
7 ,
This summary appends to the Comprehensive Plan the vision of A Plan for Capitol Heights for
the revitalization of the mixed use neighborhood just north of the State Capitol. Key strategies
include:
• the stabilization of bluffs and slopes throughout the area,
• the development of new housing on vacant and underutilized sites,
• the rehabilitation of existing rental and owner-occupied housing;
• the revitalization of Rice Street as a neighborhood `Mainstreet"; and
• the connection of the neighborhood with surrounding natural and cultural amenities.
Location
The Capitol Heights neighborhood is bounded by University Avenue, Marion Street, Pennsylvania
Avenue and Jackson Street.
-1-
d o -63
v►s�on
Capitol Heights will be a miaced-use, m'viced-income, medium density residential communiry,
served by a neighborhood-scale commercial center on Rice Street. Located on the edge of the
Capitol grounds and ad}acent to two major medical facilities and the Empire Builder Industrial
Park, the neighborhood will provide housing for employees, office space for related businesses,
and restaurants and convenience retail serving its residents as well as the thousands of people who
come to the azea each day. It will draw strength from attractive and walkable connections to
amenities such as the Capitol grounds, Cass Gilbert Park, downtown Saint Paul, the Mississippi
River and the Minnesota Transportation Museum as well as bike trails liuldug the neighborhood
to pazks and scenic azeas throughout the region and state.
Specific Recommendations and Implementation Steps
Stabilize Bluffs and Slopes
Plan recommendations relate both to stabilizing eaisting slopes where deterioration has resulted in
failing retaining walls and to ensuring that future development protects the topography of the
azea. Most important is the reconstruction of failing retaining walls between Como and Winter
and along Jackson where vacant HRA propetty is ready for new development.
Iniprove the Existing Housing Stock
The Plan recommends that a series of different types of loans be developed to assist homeowners
as well as owners of rental properties to make necessary improvements to their properties.
Depending on the income of the property owner, below-mazket interest rates and the deferral or
forgiveness of a portion of the loan would be offered as incentives.
Develop New Uses far Yacant and Underutilized Land
There are four sites within the study azea that present development or redevelopment
opporiunities. The development process for each site should include consultation with the Greater
Frogtown CDC, District 7 Community Council and the Capitol Heights Block Club at key points.
The sites and the related plan recommendations are:
Lot V and Surrounding HRA-Owned Individual Lots - Owned by the City of Saint Paul's
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (T�RA), Lot V is bounded by Como, Park, Capitol
Heights and Cedar and is currently used for parking and snow storage by the State of
Minnesota. The plan proposes the construction of up to 30 units of housing on the block
with additional units on four nearby HRA/tas forfeited vacant lots. Up to twenty percent of
the total number of units should be priced to be affordable to households with incomes below
60 percent of the regional median. Specific design guidelines, spelled out in the plan,
emphasize integration of the new housing with the e�sting neighborhood fabric.
Lot Q- Owned by the State of Minnesota and used for parking, Lot Q, located south of Lot
V and with views of downtown and the river valley, represents an exceptional opportunity for
new housing development. The City should work with the State and potential developers of
the site to both construct new housing on the site and address the State's need for parking
-Z-
ao -G3
somewhere in the vicinity. Because of the site's pnme location and the community's goal of
maintaining a mix of incomes, it is recommended that the housing for Lot Q be designed for
and marketed to moderate and upper income households. Design guidelines would be similaz
to those described for Lot V above.
Bethesda Hospital Site - On the Bethesda Lutheran Hospital campus, now owned by Health
East, are two multi-story vacant buildings. Once used for hospital purposes and as a
residence for nurses, the buildings aze obsolete and HealthEast plans to demolish them It
seems likely that a new residential use for the site can be identified that would both meet
community goals and be consistent with HealthEast's health care mission. Integrating that
development with the new housing on neighboring Lots V and Q is a high priority
Travel Inn Site - Currently an aging motel, the site is a key redevelopment opportunity.
Multiple uses for the site, in conjunction with neighboring HealthPartners properties, might
include structured parking (for both the hospital and the State of Minnesota), district heating
facilities, office/conference facilities and housing. Design considerations should include:
improvement of the pedestrian environment of University and Jackson, active uses on the
ground floor, an attractive link between transit on University and 7ackson and surrounding
uses, and a setback of ZS feet from the corner or a lower corner profile in order to reopen
views of the Capitol dome from University Avenue.
Revitalize Rice Street as a Neighborhood "Mainstreet"
Rice Street should be reclaimed as the heart of the Capitol Heights neighborhood, providing
goods and services to neighborhood residents as well as the work-day community Key
components of the revitalization strategy detailed in the plan include the development or
redevelopment of three short stretches of the street, renovation of older buildings and their
facades, streetscape improvements, and the addition of new restaurants or other services that
might be attracted by the significant increase in the number of housing units in the area.
Link the Neighborhood with its Amenities
Capitol Heights is virtually sunounded by nearby amenities from Saint PauPs downtown and
the riverfront to the proposed Transportation Museum to Como Park It is also surrounded,
however, by busy streets and expansive parking lots that make access to those amenities more
difficult. The challenge is to identify the most important connections and then to treat them
with landscaping, lighting, traffic controls and building design in ways that entice the
pedestrian or cyclist to make the trip. A lugh priority is the construction of a bicycle path link
between this neighborhood and the Gateway Segment of the Munger State Trail. The
Transportation Policy Plan recommends an off-street bicycle path beginning in Capitol
Heights and connecting with the existing Munger Trail at Cayuga. The new trail section
would also create a link with proposed on-street bike lanes to Como Park, downtown, the
riverfront and Lake Phalen.
-3-
oa -C3
c;ty a�t�on
To encourage development according to this vision the City of Saint Paul should:
■ Support appropriate zoning of the area by the CAAPB.
■ With appropriate consultation, designate a developer for Lot V and surrounding parcels.
Provide gap financing for the projecYs development, including the construction of the
necessary retaining walls.
■ Support acquisition of the Travel Inn site by an appropriate development interest and
determine the feasibiliry of addressing State parking needs, currently met on Lot Q, on the
site.
■ Engage HealthEast in planning for the redevelopment of the vacant buildings on their
Bethesda Hospital campus.
■ Explore with the State of Minnesota the necessary preconditions to the development of
housing on Lot Q.
■ Work with Rice Street businesses and commuzuty organizations on attracting new investment
on Rice Street.
■ Explore specific alternatives for traffic calming within the neighborhood.
■ Construct the off-road bicycle traillink between Capitol Heights and the Gateway Segment of
the Munger Trail
Planning Commission Findings
The Planning Commission finds that A Plan for Caprtol Heights is consistent with The Saint Paul
Comprehensive Plan and other adopted City policies.
Planning Process
The Capitol Heights Small Area Plan was prepared by a task force convened by the Capitol
Heights Block Club, the District Seven Planning Council and the Greater Frogtown Community
Development Corporation. Membership included azea residents, representatives of
HealthPartners, HealthEast and the CAAPB. A special meeting was held with Rice Street
business owners to identify their particular issues and concerns as well as to outline an appropriate
revitalization strategy. Task force members also conducted a door-to-door survey to ascertain
home improvements needs of area property owners.
CL
QR1�1NA�.
Council File # �� � �p 3
Resolution #
Green Sheet # /�C/�Q���P
RESOLUTION
Presented By
Referred To
1 RESOLUTION ADOP1'ING THE SiJMivIARY OF
2 A PI.AN FOR CAPITOL HEIGHTS
3 AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE SAINT PAUL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
4
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
ZO
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
WI�REAS, the City of Saint Paul is authorized under Minnesota Statues, Section 462.353, to carry on
comprehensive municipal planning activities for guiding the future development and improvement ofthe city; and
WIIEREAS, the City of Saint Paul, as a local government unit within the metropolitan area, is required under
Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.858, to prepare a comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council is authorized under Minnesota Statutes, Section 462355, to adopt or
amend a comprehensive plan or portion thereof after a recommendation by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council adopted, by Council File 98-1133 on March 3, 1999, the Land Use Plan
as a chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Plan provided far the adoption of summaries of area plans as addenda to the
comprehensive plan; and
Wf1EREAS, A Plan for Capitol Heights was prepared by a community-based task force convened by the District
7 Planning Council, Crreater Frogtown Community Development Corporation and Capitol Heights Block Club and
including representatives drawn from among neighborhood residents, community organizations and local
institutions; and
By:
Approved
By:
By
Approved
�.
by Mayo Date �
By:
Requested by
By:
Form Approved
by City Attorney
�!"-r'ti. 1✓�w /—,. oa
by Mayor for Submission to Council
� r � � �')`G
/
Adopted by Council: Date �( d�
Adoption Certified by Council Secretary
45 WHEREAS, a summary ofA Plan for CapitoZHeights was presented to the Plam�ing Commission for its 00 •G3
46 review; and
47
48 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, after a public hearing on December 3, 1999, and consideration of
49 public testimony, recommended, by its Resolution 99-92 approved on December 17, 1999, adoption of the
50 summary by the City Council;
51
52 NOW, TIIEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the area plan summary ofA Plan for CapitoZHeights, is
53 adopted as an area plan addendum to the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan contingent upon review by the
54 Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities.
PED WEST TEAM
�anCy �I01173ri5
266-6557
TOTAL � OF SIGNATURE PAGES
OATE WRIATEO
Ol/06/00
GREEN SHEET
oErNn�xrowEaa�
�
oo-G3
No ios��s
tnnmwe.
a�reour,�
� u�r�noxxr.v � aneuwK _
❑ wuteu�acaxevsow. ❑ wuxauuacavnett¢
I`tiwvae�u�swrwm ��SG�L � �"��
T
(CLJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
Adopt resolution adopting the azea plan summary of A Plan for Capitol Heights as' an addendum to The Saint
Pau1 Comprehensive Plan.. '
Ci01H1Ci� �����'^,�; i°�s"'?c.�
��€� � �` ����
PIANNING COMMISSION
CIB CAMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Hes this PerooMim evarv.nilceL under a contraet tarthis depaAmeM')
YES NO
Fias tn� p�eon�firm e�er bee� a uty emcbY��
V6 NO
Does th'�s Persanlfirm G�sees a slall nd normaity0� M/ anv wrteM a1Y emPloYee7
YES NO
Is Mk pe,isoMrm a tarpeted �nndoYt �
YES NO.
Capitol Heights community developed a plan to serve as an agenda for the revitalization af the ai� and presented
it to the City for adoption as City policy. "' -' "' '
, � -� �,..� _,
,.,.o. i;. ,!i.�^tF
... : •4. Gi �'. � _.
- ' ' ;t'i�: r.
w
�. �M�. _ u--._`:.✓�,..._��
Adoption of the plan will strengthen the process of priority setting, resource allocation and partnership formation
azound the critical issues in the area.
None.
azea would not have a rational basis. There would be no legal authority for redevelopment
COETIREVENUE BUDOETm (GRCLE ONE)
SOURGE
INFORMATION (EXPWt�
ACTNII'Y NUY9ER
VE3 NO
po-G3
l.11 l �r" SA�r pA�. 39QCityHaCC Telephone: 65]-2668510
NormColeman,Mayor ISWestKeIIoggBoulevard FacsrmrZe:651-228-8513
Smn[Pau{ MN SSIO2
January 12, 1999
Council President Dan Bostrom
and Members of the City Council
320B City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Dear Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers,
It is my pleasure to transmit to you the area plan summary of A Plan for Capitol
Helghts and to recommend its adoption as an addendum to the Saint Paul
Comprehensive Plan. Prepared by a community-based task force the plan includes a
series of strategies designed to spark the revitalization of one of our many urban
villages. Investing in the rehabilitation of existing housing, fonning partnerships to
build new units on vacant and underused land, encouraging new investment on Rice
Street and connecting this pocket neighborhood wath downtown, the Mississippi River,
Como Park and the Gateway Trail aze all priorities for those who live and work in the
area.
As you know, we now prepare suminaries of area plans of all kinds to be considered for
inclusion in the comprehensive plan. While the entire document, A Plan for Capitol
Heights, will be available and will guide decisions at all levels, adopring a shorter
summary as part of the comprehensive plan makes that plan more accessible for all
those who need to understand Saint Paul's overall development agenda.
The Pianning Commission has reviewed this suinmary and held a public hearing. They
recommend its adoption. I concur with their recommendation. �
incerely,
�v ���
Norm Coleman
Mayor
Enclosure
po -�3
city of samt paul
planning commission resolution
file number 99-9
date December 17, 1999
RESOLUTION RECO�IENDING ADOPTION OF
TI-TE SUMMARY OF A PLAN FOR CAPITOL HEIGHTS
AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE SAINT PAUL CO�IIPREHENSIVE PLAN
WHEREAS the Capitol Heights Small Area Plan Task Force, convened by the District 7
Planning Council, the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation, and the
Capitol Hei�hts Block Club, and drawing its membership from area residents, business persons
and local institutions and agencies, developed and recommended to the Planning Commission A
Plan for Capitol Heights on January 14, 1999; and
WHEREAS the plan details an agenda for the revitalization of the area bounded by University
Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Jackson Street and Marion Street, addressing issues related to
the rehabilitation of the existin� housing stock, the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized
land, the establishment of Rice Street as a neighborhood mainstreet, stabilizing the area's
bluffs and slopes connecting the neighborhood with its surrounding amenities; and
WHEREAS the Planning Commission is authorized under Minnesota Statutes Section
462.355(2) and Chapter 107 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to recommend to the Mayor
and City Council amendments to the comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS the Z.and Use Plan, adopted by the City Council on March 3, 1999, provides for
the adoption of summaries of area plans as addenda to The Saint Paz�l Comprehe�:sive Plan
upon findings by the Plannin� Commission that the plans are consistent with adopted City
policies; and
WHEREAS the Planning Commission, on December 3, 1999, held a public hearin; on A Plan
for Capitol Heights, notice of which was published in the Saint Paul Legal Ledger on
November 11, 1999; and
moved by Fa
seconded by
i n favor Unanimous
against
40-G3
A Plan for Capitol Heights
Page Two of Resolution
WHEREAS testimony received at the public hearing was uniformly supportive of the plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saint Paul Planning Commission finds that
A Plan for Capitol Heights is consistent with The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan and other
relevant City policies and recommends the adoption of the plan summary by the City Council
as an addendum to the comprehensive plan. '
O D -G 3
Area Plan Stunmary
A Plan for Capitol Heights
Addendum to The Comnrehensive Plan for Saint Paul
Adopted by the City Council (date)
7 ,
This summary appends to the Comprehensive Plan the vision of A Plan for Capitol Heights for
the revitalization of the mixed use neighborhood just north of the State Capitol. Key strategies
include:
• the stabilization of bluffs and slopes throughout the area,
• the development of new housing on vacant and underutilized sites,
• the rehabilitation of existing rental and owner-occupied housing;
• the revitalization of Rice Street as a neighborhood `Mainstreet"; and
• the connection of the neighborhood with surrounding natural and cultural amenities.
Location
The Capitol Heights neighborhood is bounded by University Avenue, Marion Street, Pennsylvania
Avenue and Jackson Street.
-1-
d o -63
v►s�on
Capitol Heights will be a miaced-use, m'viced-income, medium density residential communiry,
served by a neighborhood-scale commercial center on Rice Street. Located on the edge of the
Capitol grounds and ad}acent to two major medical facilities and the Empire Builder Industrial
Park, the neighborhood will provide housing for employees, office space for related businesses,
and restaurants and convenience retail serving its residents as well as the thousands of people who
come to the azea each day. It will draw strength from attractive and walkable connections to
amenities such as the Capitol grounds, Cass Gilbert Park, downtown Saint Paul, the Mississippi
River and the Minnesota Transportation Museum as well as bike trails liuldug the neighborhood
to pazks and scenic azeas throughout the region and state.
Specific Recommendations and Implementation Steps
Stabilize Bluffs and Slopes
Plan recommendations relate both to stabilizing eaisting slopes where deterioration has resulted in
failing retaining walls and to ensuring that future development protects the topography of the
azea. Most important is the reconstruction of failing retaining walls between Como and Winter
and along Jackson where vacant HRA propetty is ready for new development.
Iniprove the Existing Housing Stock
The Plan recommends that a series of different types of loans be developed to assist homeowners
as well as owners of rental properties to make necessary improvements to their properties.
Depending on the income of the property owner, below-mazket interest rates and the deferral or
forgiveness of a portion of the loan would be offered as incentives.
Develop New Uses far Yacant and Underutilized Land
There are four sites within the study azea that present development or redevelopment
opporiunities. The development process for each site should include consultation with the Greater
Frogtown CDC, District 7 Community Council and the Capitol Heights Block Club at key points.
The sites and the related plan recommendations are:
Lot V and Surrounding HRA-Owned Individual Lots - Owned by the City of Saint Paul's
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (T�RA), Lot V is bounded by Como, Park, Capitol
Heights and Cedar and is currently used for parking and snow storage by the State of
Minnesota. The plan proposes the construction of up to 30 units of housing on the block
with additional units on four nearby HRA/tas forfeited vacant lots. Up to twenty percent of
the total number of units should be priced to be affordable to households with incomes below
60 percent of the regional median. Specific design guidelines, spelled out in the plan,
emphasize integration of the new housing with the e�sting neighborhood fabric.
Lot Q- Owned by the State of Minnesota and used for parking, Lot Q, located south of Lot
V and with views of downtown and the river valley, represents an exceptional opportunity for
new housing development. The City should work with the State and potential developers of
the site to both construct new housing on the site and address the State's need for parking
-Z-
ao -G3
somewhere in the vicinity. Because of the site's pnme location and the community's goal of
maintaining a mix of incomes, it is recommended that the housing for Lot Q be designed for
and marketed to moderate and upper income households. Design guidelines would be similaz
to those described for Lot V above.
Bethesda Hospital Site - On the Bethesda Lutheran Hospital campus, now owned by Health
East, are two multi-story vacant buildings. Once used for hospital purposes and as a
residence for nurses, the buildings aze obsolete and HealthEast plans to demolish them It
seems likely that a new residential use for the site can be identified that would both meet
community goals and be consistent with HealthEast's health care mission. Integrating that
development with the new housing on neighboring Lots V and Q is a high priority
Travel Inn Site - Currently an aging motel, the site is a key redevelopment opportunity.
Multiple uses for the site, in conjunction with neighboring HealthPartners properties, might
include structured parking (for both the hospital and the State of Minnesota), district heating
facilities, office/conference facilities and housing. Design considerations should include:
improvement of the pedestrian environment of University and Jackson, active uses on the
ground floor, an attractive link between transit on University and 7ackson and surrounding
uses, and a setback of ZS feet from the corner or a lower corner profile in order to reopen
views of the Capitol dome from University Avenue.
Revitalize Rice Street as a Neighborhood "Mainstreet"
Rice Street should be reclaimed as the heart of the Capitol Heights neighborhood, providing
goods and services to neighborhood residents as well as the work-day community Key
components of the revitalization strategy detailed in the plan include the development or
redevelopment of three short stretches of the street, renovation of older buildings and their
facades, streetscape improvements, and the addition of new restaurants or other services that
might be attracted by the significant increase in the number of housing units in the area.
Link the Neighborhood with its Amenities
Capitol Heights is virtually sunounded by nearby amenities from Saint PauPs downtown and
the riverfront to the proposed Transportation Museum to Como Park It is also surrounded,
however, by busy streets and expansive parking lots that make access to those amenities more
difficult. The challenge is to identify the most important connections and then to treat them
with landscaping, lighting, traffic controls and building design in ways that entice the
pedestrian or cyclist to make the trip. A lugh priority is the construction of a bicycle path link
between this neighborhood and the Gateway Segment of the Munger State Trail. The
Transportation Policy Plan recommends an off-street bicycle path beginning in Capitol
Heights and connecting with the existing Munger Trail at Cayuga. The new trail section
would also create a link with proposed on-street bike lanes to Como Park, downtown, the
riverfront and Lake Phalen.
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oa -C3
c;ty a�t�on
To encourage development according to this vision the City of Saint Paul should:
■ Support appropriate zoning of the area by the CAAPB.
■ With appropriate consultation, designate a developer for Lot V and surrounding parcels.
Provide gap financing for the projecYs development, including the construction of the
necessary retaining walls.
■ Support acquisition of the Travel Inn site by an appropriate development interest and
determine the feasibiliry of addressing State parking needs, currently met on Lot Q, on the
site.
■ Engage HealthEast in planning for the redevelopment of the vacant buildings on their
Bethesda Hospital campus.
■ Explore with the State of Minnesota the necessary preconditions to the development of
housing on Lot Q.
■ Work with Rice Street businesses and commuzuty organizations on attracting new investment
on Rice Street.
■ Explore specific alternatives for traffic calming within the neighborhood.
■ Construct the off-road bicycle traillink between Capitol Heights and the Gateway Segment of
the Munger Trail
Planning Commission Findings
The Planning Commission finds that A Plan for Caprtol Heights is consistent with The Saint Paul
Comprehensive Plan and other adopted City policies.
Planning Process
The Capitol Heights Small Area Plan was prepared by a task force convened by the Capitol
Heights Block Club, the District Seven Planning Council and the Greater Frogtown Community
Development Corporation. Membership included azea residents, representatives of
HealthPartners, HealthEast and the CAAPB. A special meeting was held with Rice Street
business owners to identify their particular issues and concerns as well as to outline an appropriate
revitalization strategy. Task force members also conducted a door-to-door survey to ascertain
home improvements needs of area property owners.
CL
QR1�1NA�.
Council File # �� � �p 3
Resolution #
Green Sheet # /�C/�Q���P
RESOLUTION
Presented By
Referred To
1 RESOLUTION ADOP1'ING THE SiJMivIARY OF
2 A PI.AN FOR CAPITOL HEIGHTS
3 AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE SAINT PAUL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
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WI�REAS, the City of Saint Paul is authorized under Minnesota Statues, Section 462.353, to carry on
comprehensive municipal planning activities for guiding the future development and improvement ofthe city; and
WIIEREAS, the City of Saint Paul, as a local government unit within the metropolitan area, is required under
Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.858, to prepare a comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council is authorized under Minnesota Statutes, Section 462355, to adopt or
amend a comprehensive plan or portion thereof after a recommendation by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council adopted, by Council File 98-1133 on March 3, 1999, the Land Use Plan
as a chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Plan provided far the adoption of summaries of area plans as addenda to the
comprehensive plan; and
Wf1EREAS, A Plan for Capitol Heights was prepared by a community-based task force convened by the District
7 Planning Council, Crreater Frogtown Community Development Corporation and Capitol Heights Block Club and
including representatives drawn from among neighborhood residents, community organizations and local
institutions; and
By:
Approved
By:
By
Approved
�.
by Mayo Date �
By:
Requested by
By:
Form Approved
by City Attorney
�!"-r'ti. 1✓�w /—,. oa
by Mayor for Submission to Council
� r � � �')`G
/
Adopted by Council: Date �( d�
Adoption Certified by Council Secretary
45 WHEREAS, a summary ofA Plan for CapitoZHeights was presented to the Plam�ing Commission for its 00 •G3
46 review; and
47
48 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, after a public hearing on December 3, 1999, and consideration of
49 public testimony, recommended, by its Resolution 99-92 approved on December 17, 1999, adoption of the
50 summary by the City Council;
51
52 NOW, TIIEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the area plan summary ofA Plan for CapitoZHeights, is
53 adopted as an area plan addendum to the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan contingent upon review by the
54 Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities.
PED WEST TEAM
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Adopt resolution adopting the azea plan summary of A Plan for Capitol Heights as' an addendum to The Saint
Pau1 Comprehensive Plan.. '
Ci01H1Ci� �����'^,�; i°�s"'?c.�
��€� � �` ����
PIANNING COMMISSION
CIB CAMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Hes this PerooMim evarv.nilceL under a contraet tarthis depaAmeM')
YES NO
Fias tn� p�eon�firm e�er bee� a uty emcbY��
V6 NO
Does th'�s Persanlfirm G�sees a slall nd normaity0� M/ anv wrteM a1Y emPloYee7
YES NO
Is Mk pe,isoMrm a tarpeted �nndoYt �
YES NO.
Capitol Heights community developed a plan to serve as an agenda for the revitalization af the ai� and presented
it to the City for adoption as City policy. "' -' "' '
, � -� �,..� _,
,.,.o. i;. ,!i.�^tF
... : •4. Gi �'. � _.
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Adoption of the plan will strengthen the process of priority setting, resource allocation and partnership formation
azound the critical issues in the area.
None.
azea would not have a rational basis. There would be no legal authority for redevelopment
COETIREVENUE BUDOETm (GRCLE ONE)
SOURGE
INFORMATION (EXPWt�
ACTNII'Y NUY9ER
VE3 NO
po-G3
l.11 l �r" SA�r pA�. 39QCityHaCC Telephone: 65]-2668510
NormColeman,Mayor ISWestKeIIoggBoulevard FacsrmrZe:651-228-8513
Smn[Pau{ MN SSIO2
January 12, 1999
Council President Dan Bostrom
and Members of the City Council
320B City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Dear Council President Bostrom and Councilmembers,
It is my pleasure to transmit to you the area plan summary of A Plan for Capitol
Helghts and to recommend its adoption as an addendum to the Saint Paul
Comprehensive Plan. Prepared by a community-based task force the plan includes a
series of strategies designed to spark the revitalization of one of our many urban
villages. Investing in the rehabilitation of existing housing, fonning partnerships to
build new units on vacant and underused land, encouraging new investment on Rice
Street and connecting this pocket neighborhood wath downtown, the Mississippi River,
Como Park and the Gateway Trail aze all priorities for those who live and work in the
area.
As you know, we now prepare suminaries of area plans of all kinds to be considered for
inclusion in the comprehensive plan. While the entire document, A Plan for Capitol
Heights, will be available and will guide decisions at all levels, adopring a shorter
summary as part of the comprehensive plan makes that plan more accessible for all
those who need to understand Saint Paul's overall development agenda.
The Pianning Commission has reviewed this suinmary and held a public hearing. They
recommend its adoption. I concur with their recommendation. �
incerely,
�v ���
Norm Coleman
Mayor
Enclosure
po -�3
city of samt paul
planning commission resolution
file number 99-9
date December 17, 1999
RESOLUTION RECO�IENDING ADOPTION OF
TI-TE SUMMARY OF A PLAN FOR CAPITOL HEIGHTS
AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE SAINT PAUL CO�IIPREHENSIVE PLAN
WHEREAS the Capitol Heights Small Area Plan Task Force, convened by the District 7
Planning Council, the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation, and the
Capitol Hei�hts Block Club, and drawing its membership from area residents, business persons
and local institutions and agencies, developed and recommended to the Planning Commission A
Plan for Capitol Heights on January 14, 1999; and
WHEREAS the plan details an agenda for the revitalization of the area bounded by University
Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Jackson Street and Marion Street, addressing issues related to
the rehabilitation of the existin� housing stock, the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized
land, the establishment of Rice Street as a neighborhood mainstreet, stabilizing the area's
bluffs and slopes connecting the neighborhood with its surrounding amenities; and
WHEREAS the Planning Commission is authorized under Minnesota Statutes Section
462.355(2) and Chapter 107 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to recommend to the Mayor
and City Council amendments to the comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS the Z.and Use Plan, adopted by the City Council on March 3, 1999, provides for
the adoption of summaries of area plans as addenda to The Saint Paz�l Comprehe�:sive Plan
upon findings by the Plannin� Commission that the plans are consistent with adopted City
policies; and
WHEREAS the Planning Commission, on December 3, 1999, held a public hearin; on A Plan
for Capitol Heights, notice of which was published in the Saint Paul Legal Ledger on
November 11, 1999; and
moved by Fa
seconded by
i n favor Unanimous
against
40-G3
A Plan for Capitol Heights
Page Two of Resolution
WHEREAS testimony received at the public hearing was uniformly supportive of the plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saint Paul Planning Commission finds that
A Plan for Capitol Heights is consistent with The Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan and other
relevant City policies and recommends the adoption of the plan summary by the City Council
as an addendum to the comprehensive plan. '
O D -G 3
Area Plan Stunmary
A Plan for Capitol Heights
Addendum to The Comnrehensive Plan for Saint Paul
Adopted by the City Council (date)
7 ,
This summary appends to the Comprehensive Plan the vision of A Plan for Capitol Heights for
the revitalization of the mixed use neighborhood just north of the State Capitol. Key strategies
include:
• the stabilization of bluffs and slopes throughout the area,
• the development of new housing on vacant and underutilized sites,
• the rehabilitation of existing rental and owner-occupied housing;
• the revitalization of Rice Street as a neighborhood `Mainstreet"; and
• the connection of the neighborhood with surrounding natural and cultural amenities.
Location
The Capitol Heights neighborhood is bounded by University Avenue, Marion Street, Pennsylvania
Avenue and Jackson Street.
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d o -63
v►s�on
Capitol Heights will be a miaced-use, m'viced-income, medium density residential communiry,
served by a neighborhood-scale commercial center on Rice Street. Located on the edge of the
Capitol grounds and ad}acent to two major medical facilities and the Empire Builder Industrial
Park, the neighborhood will provide housing for employees, office space for related businesses,
and restaurants and convenience retail serving its residents as well as the thousands of people who
come to the azea each day. It will draw strength from attractive and walkable connections to
amenities such as the Capitol grounds, Cass Gilbert Park, downtown Saint Paul, the Mississippi
River and the Minnesota Transportation Museum as well as bike trails liuldug the neighborhood
to pazks and scenic azeas throughout the region and state.
Specific Recommendations and Implementation Steps
Stabilize Bluffs and Slopes
Plan recommendations relate both to stabilizing eaisting slopes where deterioration has resulted in
failing retaining walls and to ensuring that future development protects the topography of the
azea. Most important is the reconstruction of failing retaining walls between Como and Winter
and along Jackson where vacant HRA propetty is ready for new development.
Iniprove the Existing Housing Stock
The Plan recommends that a series of different types of loans be developed to assist homeowners
as well as owners of rental properties to make necessary improvements to their properties.
Depending on the income of the property owner, below-mazket interest rates and the deferral or
forgiveness of a portion of the loan would be offered as incentives.
Develop New Uses far Yacant and Underutilized Land
There are four sites within the study azea that present development or redevelopment
opporiunities. The development process for each site should include consultation with the Greater
Frogtown CDC, District 7 Community Council and the Capitol Heights Block Club at key points.
The sites and the related plan recommendations are:
Lot V and Surrounding HRA-Owned Individual Lots - Owned by the City of Saint Paul's
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (T�RA), Lot V is bounded by Como, Park, Capitol
Heights and Cedar and is currently used for parking and snow storage by the State of
Minnesota. The plan proposes the construction of up to 30 units of housing on the block
with additional units on four nearby HRA/tas forfeited vacant lots. Up to twenty percent of
the total number of units should be priced to be affordable to households with incomes below
60 percent of the regional median. Specific design guidelines, spelled out in the plan,
emphasize integration of the new housing with the e�sting neighborhood fabric.
Lot Q- Owned by the State of Minnesota and used for parking, Lot Q, located south of Lot
V and with views of downtown and the river valley, represents an exceptional opportunity for
new housing development. The City should work with the State and potential developers of
the site to both construct new housing on the site and address the State's need for parking
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ao -G3
somewhere in the vicinity. Because of the site's pnme location and the community's goal of
maintaining a mix of incomes, it is recommended that the housing for Lot Q be designed for
and marketed to moderate and upper income households. Design guidelines would be similaz
to those described for Lot V above.
Bethesda Hospital Site - On the Bethesda Lutheran Hospital campus, now owned by Health
East, are two multi-story vacant buildings. Once used for hospital purposes and as a
residence for nurses, the buildings aze obsolete and HealthEast plans to demolish them It
seems likely that a new residential use for the site can be identified that would both meet
community goals and be consistent with HealthEast's health care mission. Integrating that
development with the new housing on neighboring Lots V and Q is a high priority
Travel Inn Site - Currently an aging motel, the site is a key redevelopment opportunity.
Multiple uses for the site, in conjunction with neighboring HealthPartners properties, might
include structured parking (for both the hospital and the State of Minnesota), district heating
facilities, office/conference facilities and housing. Design considerations should include:
improvement of the pedestrian environment of University and Jackson, active uses on the
ground floor, an attractive link between transit on University and 7ackson and surrounding
uses, and a setback of ZS feet from the corner or a lower corner profile in order to reopen
views of the Capitol dome from University Avenue.
Revitalize Rice Street as a Neighborhood "Mainstreet"
Rice Street should be reclaimed as the heart of the Capitol Heights neighborhood, providing
goods and services to neighborhood residents as well as the work-day community Key
components of the revitalization strategy detailed in the plan include the development or
redevelopment of three short stretches of the street, renovation of older buildings and their
facades, streetscape improvements, and the addition of new restaurants or other services that
might be attracted by the significant increase in the number of housing units in the area.
Link the Neighborhood with its Amenities
Capitol Heights is virtually sunounded by nearby amenities from Saint PauPs downtown and
the riverfront to the proposed Transportation Museum to Como Park It is also surrounded,
however, by busy streets and expansive parking lots that make access to those amenities more
difficult. The challenge is to identify the most important connections and then to treat them
with landscaping, lighting, traffic controls and building design in ways that entice the
pedestrian or cyclist to make the trip. A lugh priority is the construction of a bicycle path link
between this neighborhood and the Gateway Segment of the Munger State Trail. The
Transportation Policy Plan recommends an off-street bicycle path beginning in Capitol
Heights and connecting with the existing Munger Trail at Cayuga. The new trail section
would also create a link with proposed on-street bike lanes to Como Park, downtown, the
riverfront and Lake Phalen.
-3-
oa -C3
c;ty a�t�on
To encourage development according to this vision the City of Saint Paul should:
■ Support appropriate zoning of the area by the CAAPB.
■ With appropriate consultation, designate a developer for Lot V and surrounding parcels.
Provide gap financing for the projecYs development, including the construction of the
necessary retaining walls.
■ Support acquisition of the Travel Inn site by an appropriate development interest and
determine the feasibiliry of addressing State parking needs, currently met on Lot Q, on the
site.
■ Engage HealthEast in planning for the redevelopment of the vacant buildings on their
Bethesda Hospital campus.
■ Explore with the State of Minnesota the necessary preconditions to the development of
housing on Lot Q.
■ Work with Rice Street businesses and commuzuty organizations on attracting new investment
on Rice Street.
■ Explore specific alternatives for traffic calming within the neighborhood.
■ Construct the off-road bicycle traillink between Capitol Heights and the Gateway Segment of
the Munger Trail
Planning Commission Findings
The Planning Commission finds that A Plan for Caprtol Heights is consistent with The Saint Paul
Comprehensive Plan and other adopted City policies.
Planning Process
The Capitol Heights Small Area Plan was prepared by a task force convened by the Capitol
Heights Block Club, the District Seven Planning Council and the Greater Frogtown Community
Development Corporation. Membership included azea residents, representatives of
HealthPartners, HealthEast and the CAAPB. A special meeting was held with Rice Street
business owners to identify their particular issues and concerns as well as to outline an appropriate
revitalization strategy. Task force members also conducted a door-to-door survey to ascertain
home improvements needs of area property owners.
CL