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09-195CouncilFile# (5Cj%t��'j Green Sheet # 3066516 RESOLUTION CITY OF �AINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented by 30 WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 462.353, subd. 1, grants a municipality the authority to prepare a comprehensive plan, which is defined in Minnesota S[atutes 462.352, subd. 5 as "a comp'tlation of poficy statements, goals, standards, and maps for guiding the physical, social and economic development, both private and public, of the municipality and its environs. ..." 8 9 10 I1 12 13 14 IS 16 17 18 14 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ?7 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 473.856 requires that municipalities prepare comprehensive plans consistent with the development guide and the metropolitan system statements adopted by the Metropolitan Council; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 473.859 details the content of the comprehensive plan; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 473.864, subd. 2, requires that municipalities review and update as appropriate their comprehensive plans every 10 years and submit them to the Metropolitan Council for review; a�d WHEREAS, Section 1 �7.02 of the City of Saint Paul administrative code authorizes the Planning Commission to organize and facilitate the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan and any subsequeni updates and to transmit its recommend to the Mayor and to the City Council; and WHEREAS, Section 107.04 of the City of Saint Paul administrative code authorizes the Planning Commission to appoinl task forces as advisory bodies to study technicaf issues identified by the commission and to report their findings to the commission for its consideration; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Planning Committee of the Planning Commission in January 2006 began the coordination of tasks necessary to prepare the Comprehensive Plan update; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission on December 29, 2006 initiated the preparation of the Land Use chapter, one of six chapters in the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan update; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission appointed representatives of Saint Paul residents, stakeholder groups, and people with knowledge and expertise in land use to participate in the Land Use Comprehensive Plan Task Force, which was chaired by a member of the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the task force met from January 2007 through June 2008 to prepare the public hearing draft of the Land Use chapter; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Land Use chapter on October 17, 2008, �otice of which was dufy given in the Saint Paul Legal Ledger on September 22, 2008; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended changes to the Land Use chapter, after considering public comment; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission and the Mayor hereby recommend adoption by the City Councii of the Land Use chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan. U9-! 95" 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 SS 56 57 58 59 60 WHEREAS, the City Council held a public hearing on the Land Use chapter on February 18, 2009, notice of which was duly given in the Saint Paul Legal Ledger on January 15, 2009; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council adopt the Land Use chapter of the of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, contingent on further review by adjacent communities and the Metropolitan Council; and BE iT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Land Use chapter of the Saint Paui Comprehensive Plan replaces the existing Land Use Plan, adopted on January 9, 2002. Bostrom Carter Hanis Stark Thune Adopted by Council: Date AdopTion Cert�fied by Councif Secretary By: �ia Approv y May � Date �j,�`L- f�%ti ;� '� • r BY � ,-`� � �1,8 � ,��,1�..'�_-fa _� a Req es d b�p rC nt of: � By: Approved by the Office of Amancial Services By: Approve by Ci[y Attorney B,,: �l.li✓ � 2-a-o Approve Mayo or Su is 'on to ou il By: � � Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet � ��q�^ DepartmenUOfficelCouncit: Date initiated: PE _PlanningREconomic 30-JAN-09 Green Sheet NO: 3066516 Development ConWCt Person & Phone: DepaNnent SeM To Person lNGallDate Penny Simison 0 lannine & Economic Developme�� _� 65554 7 lannin & Economic Develo me Lam Soderholm b Assign Z iannin & Economic Develo me Cecile Bedor Director Must Be on Council Agenda 6y (Date): Num6er z � 18-FEB-09 For 3 i Attome Peter Warner ( Routing 4 a oYS Oftice Ma or Doa Type: RESOlUT10N Order 5 ouncfl S{ath LantrV President 6 i Clerk Ci Clerk E-DocUmertt Required: Y 7 lamm� & Economic Deveio me Ori 'natin� De artment DocumeM Contact: Contact Phone: Total # of Signature Pages _,� (CI{p All Locations for Signature) Action Requested: To adopt I,and Use chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Ptan. Recommendatlons: Approve (A) or Reject (R): Pereonal Service Gontracts Must Answer the Following Questions: _�_ Pianning Commission 1. Has this person/firm ever worketl under a contrect for this department? CIB Committee Yes No Civil Service Commission 2. Has this persoNfirm ever been a ciTy emptoyee? A PFTI Yes No 3. Does this personffirm possess a skill not normally possessed by any current city employea? Yes No Explain all yes answers on separate sheet and attach to green sheet. Initiating Problem, Issues, Opportunity (Who, What, When, Where, Why): � State law requires update of City's Comprehensive Plan, to be submitted to Metropolitan Council. Advantages If Approved: City will comply with State law. Disadvantages {f Approved: None ��F�`��vE� DisadvanWges If Nof Approved: _ z_� f Ciry will not be in compliance C1°i"Y R`�"1'ORl�� Total Amount of Trensaction: CosURevenue Budgeted: Funding Source: Activity Number. Financial Information: (Expiain) January 30, 2009 10:22 AM Page 1 (�'I'I'Y Q�'• 5 PA�. 390 Ciry Hal[ 7e[ephone 651-266-8510 Chnsmpher B. Coleman, Mayor IS Wesr Kellogg Boulevard Facsimile: 651-266-8513 Saint Paul. MN 55102 February 6, 2009 Councll President Kathry Lantry and members of the City Council 320 C City Hall Saint Paul, MN 55102 Dear Council President Lanhy and Councilmembers: It is my pleasure to transmit to you the Land Use chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan. This chapfzr will comply with state law that the CiTy update its comprehensive plan every 10 years. The Land Use chapter was prepared by Planning and Economic Development Department staff under the direction of the Comprehensive Planning Committee. The Land Use chapter includes the following strategies: • Target growth in unique communities. This includes policies intended to achieve development at higher densifies in such areas of the city as downtown; the Centra] Corridor; major arterial streets, ar Corridors; and major residential and commercial areas, or Neighborhood Centers. • Provide land for jobs. This includes policies designed to facilitate activifies such as brownfields cleanup and redevelopment and land assembly. In addition, it idenrifies areas where employment centers could be developed, include industrially zoned land and commercially zoned land along major arterials. • Promote aesthetics and development standards. The policies in this strategy focus on such issues as urban design, development standazds, public art, and open space. Once adopted, the Comprehensive Plan will guide development and revitalization of Saint Paul for the next 10 years as the ciry grows while, at fhe same time, reYains what has made it unique for appro�mately 150 yeazs. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Land Use chapter, held a public hearing and recommends adoption. I concur with the Commission's recommendation. Sinc � y, � � Cluistopher B. Coleman Mayor Enclosure � � �-[q�� city of saint paul planning commission resolution file number o9-„ date Januarv 16. 2009 Saint Pau/ Comprehensive Ptan RESOLUTION RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT THE LAND USE CHAPTER OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 462.353, subd. 1, grants a municipality the authority to prepare a comprehensive plan, which is defined in Mi�nesota Statutes 462.352, subd. 5 as "a compilation of policy statements, goals, standards, and maps for guiding the physical, social and economic development, both private and public, of the murncipality and its environs. ..." WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 473.856 requ+res that municipalities prepare comprehensive plans consistent with the development guide and the metropolitan system statements adopted by the Metropolitan Council; and and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 473.859 details the content of the comprehensive plan; WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 473.864, subd. 2, requires that municipalities review and update as appropriate their comprehensive plans every 10 years and submit them to the Metropolitan Council for review; and WHEREAS, Section 107.02 of the City of Saint Paul administrative code authorizes the Planning Commission to organize and facilitate the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan and any subsequent updates and to transmit its recommend to the Mayor and to the City Council; and WHEREAS, Section 107.04 of the City of Saint Paul administrative code authorizes the Planning Commission to appoint task forces as advisory bodies to study technical issues identified by the commission and to report their findings to the commission for its consideration; and moved by Kramer seconded by Wencl in favor Unanimous against a�-�� Plannmg Commission Resolution Saint Paul Comprehensive Pian — La�d Use Chapter Page 2 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Planning Committee of the Planning Commission in January 2006 began the coordination of tasks necessary to prepare the Comprehensive Plan update; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission on December 29, 2006, initiated the preparation of the Land Use chapter, one of six chapters in the Saint Paui Comprehensive Pian update; and WHEREAS, the P{anning Commission appointed representatives of Saint Pau{ residents, stakeholder groups, and people with knowiedge and expertise in land use to participate in the Land Use Comprehensive Plan Task Force, which was chaired by a member of the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the task force met from January 2007 through June 2008 to prepare the public hearing draft of the Land Use chapter; a�d WHEREAS, the Planning Commission hefd a public hearing on the Land Use chapter on October 17, 2008, notice of which was duly given in the Saint Paul Legal Ledger on September 22, 2008, and • WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended changes to the Land Use chapter after considering public comment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission hereby recommends adoption by the City Council of the Land Use chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan update; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Gommission adoption is contingent on further review by adjacent communities and the Metropolitan Council; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Land Use chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan replaces the existing Land Use Ptan, adopted on February 6, 2002. o�--�� J Land Use Plan The Saint Paui Comprehensive Pian Plannin�Commission Draft • The Land Use Plan is one of six chapters of the draft Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan. It was approved by the Pianning Commission on and is scheduled for a Pubiic Hearing at the City Council pn . See http:lfwww.stpaul.govlcompplan to view drafts of the other chapters of the p1an. Comments and questions about the Land Use Plan can be directed to penelope.simison<aci stpaul.mn.us. Revised 12/22/08 � b��l�i� • Table of Contents Introduction 7 Strategy 1: Target growth in unique communities 3 Framework for growth: areas of stability and areas of change Growth targets Density and achieving targeted growth Potential benefits of higher density development Types of Saint Paul neighborhoods Estabfished Neighborhoods Neighborhood Centers Corridors Central Corridor Downtown Saint Paul Minnesota State Capitol area General land use policy Residential development Commerce Opportunity sites Institutions • Strotegy 2: Provide land for jobs 16 Physicai development guidelines Job-rich employment centers at strategic locations Land assembly Regulation Brownfieids remediation Economic development Strategy 3: Promote aesthetics and development standards Ur6an design Development standards Open space and natural features Public art Views and visual beauty Solarenergy implementation 23 26 lJ Introduction �� } y� • The Land Use Plan is a complex mechanism for creating a city that is economically strong, environmental ly responsible, vibrant, and attradive. Its focus is on fu �damen- tal issues of where people will live and where they will work. In an older, core city, growth and continuinq revitalization can happen only when existing communities change. Lastly, the plan provides a framework for pursuing revitalizatio� opportuni- ties and responding to challenges fadng the dty. Key trends Increasing population and more diversity. Saint Paul's population grew by 5.5 percent during the 1490s, primarily because of an influx of immigrants. Between 7980 and 2006, the city's foreign-born population more than tripled, with the largest immigrant communities comprised of Hispanics, Somafis, and Hmong. Specificaliy, approximately 10 perwnt of residents in 1980 were people of color, whereas by 2006, approximately 40 percent were people of color. Changing demographics and housing choices. The composition of households is changing markedly. While there are many large, extended families in Immigrant communities who desire sizeable single family houses, there are fewer two-parent households with children; there are more couples without children, more singles of all age groups, and more empty nesters.These relative shifts in population are having profound impacts on the types and cost of housing that must be developed in the coming decade and beyond. Widening disparities. While the metropolitan region has significant assets, rank- MindtheGap:Redud�gDisporitiesto �ng high in such factors as college attainment, median household income, home ? • lmproveFegionoiCompetitivenessin ownership, job growch, and a low poverty rate overall, minorities and the poor a theTwin Cities, prepared by the Brook- are not achieving at the same level or at the same rate as the majority popu�ation. � ings Institution and funded bythe These disparities affett the quality of life of individuals and undermine the region's a Itaxa Project (2005), charts the gap economic stability. � between the "haves" and "have-nots:' Thereportdescribesthreetypesof Changingeconomytoaservicesectorfocus.Thereisalossofmanufacturingfirms gaps: race disparities, or differences and jobs as the production base in the U.S. economy continues to erode. At the same among race and ethnic groups on time, the numbers and types of service sector firms andjobs employing "knowledge socio-economic indicators dass dis- base"people continues to grow. parities, or differences among income groups; and, place disparities, or dif- Need for an educated and skilled workforce. Labor markets are changing in ways ferences between cities and suburbs, that will result in a shortage of competent workers. Some residents, particularly new with uneven development that has led to concentrations of poverty in immigrants, lack the education and skills needed to fiIl the jobs that are competitive the regional core. The report also de- in the changing economy. In addition, the cost of an education, particularly a coflege scribes how the gaps are growing. education, is beyond the reach of many people who need it to secure employment. Others need and desire more education and newer skills, particularfy people who have been laid off or who are attempting a career change. Mismatch between jobs and housing. Saint Paul residents must travel longer distances to get to entry-level jobs at suburban firms.They often must rely on public transportation, and ihe suburbs are not as well served by public transportation as the core cities. Moreover, the jobs most accessible to residents may not be a good match for the skills they have. • Energy costs and climate change. The rising cost of energy is significantly altering choices in housing location, housing type, transportation modes, and travel behavior. This will impact development patterns, affecting the use of transit and the density of new development. � JI Evolving downtown. Downtown, long a center for business and government, has evolved in the last decade, becoming more vibrant as new housing and visitor attractions have been developed. This, combined with more riverfront develop- ment, enables Saint Paul to reinvent and redesign downtown to meet the needs of the people who visit, work, and live in it. The momentum will be heightened when construction of light rail transit along the Central Corridor is completed. Decreasing funds for Gity services. The City needs to increase its tax base to pay for and to maintain its infrastructure, including parks and recreation centers, librar- ies, snow removal, police protection, fire fighting, paramedics, sewers, water, and street maintenance. Funding from outside sources has declined significantly, while the cost of providing services and maintaining the City's i�frastructure continues to rise. The City must find ways to become more self-su�cient, difficuit for a fuliy built city with limits on its ability to expand the tax base. SNategies While strategies in the Land Use Plan are intended to shape the built environment- the buildings that compose Saint Paul's residential, employment, and shopping areas - they are influenced by fi�rces beyond the control of City government. Changes in the economy affect business decisions, housing construction, and the variety and sophistication ot retail shops that provide goods and services. The strategies are intended to capitalize on Saint Paul's historic use of its land and contemporaneous economic forces to create a city that is sustainable. Target growth in unique communities. This strategy focuses on sustaining the character of Saint Paul's existing single family neighborhoods while providing tor the growth of mixed use communities. New developmern in Neighborhood Centers, Corridors, the Central Corridor, and downtown is intended to create communities where housing, employment, shopping, and community amenities, supported by tran-. sit, work together to provide for the needs of the people who live and work in them. Provide land for jobs. For Saint Paul to have a strong economy and to thrive, it must have businesses with living wage jobs. The strategy tocuses on providing land for employment centers that capitalize on Saint Paul's historic strengths and emerging labor markets. An important element is reclaiming industrial land for new businesses that can provide living wage jobs. Promote aesthetics and development standards. As Saint Paul continues to revi- talize itself and to grow, it must be an aYtractive place to live, work, and visit. This strategy provides a framework for design and aesthetics that will engage people and help integrate the built environment into the community. � City of Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan � _ � Strategy 1: Target growth in unique neighborhoads (l�- I �� This strateqy establishes a framework for growth by directing new mixed use devel- opment to areas of Saint Paul where housing, jobs, amen)ties and transit can work synergistically, giving neighborhoods strength so they can more successfully serve the needs of the people who live and work in them. Saint Paul has a long history of strong neighborhoods.They were shaped hisiorically by changes in transportation and the economic situanons of their residents, as David Lanegran and Judith Martin describe in their book, WhereWeLive.The city's first resi- dential settlement, Lowertown, was established in 1835 near the Mississippi River, downtown commerce, and jobs. As transportation improved and land values rose, people moved awayfrom downtown.The wealthysettled in the hilly areas and bluffs west and east ot downtown, while working class residents lived in the North End and off West Seventh Street and walked to their jobs. The streetcar system opened up additional areas, primarily in the western part of the city, to working-dass residents and white collar workers of the emerging middle dass. This trend was accelerated as people acquired automobiles. When freeways were constructed after Worid War II, neig hborhoods, suburban in character, were developed.These development patterns produced a variety of communities that, while they look different from each other, function similarly and are the foundation for the continuing growth of Saint Paul. Framework for growth: areas of stability and areas of change Policies in this strategy are intended to reinforce the strengths of Saint Paul's existing neighborhoods while, at the same time, building a structure for managing future growth. � • Substantial growth is not expected in all neighborhoods. Established Neighborhoods a are resldential areas of predominately single family housing and adjacent neigh- � borhood serving commercial uses. 7hese are areas of stability where the exist)ng � character will be essentially maintained. Growth is anticipated in other areas of the city, inciuding downtown, the Central Corridor, Neighborhood Centers, Corridors, and Employment Districts. These are areas of change where there wili be compact mixed use communities where hous- ing, employment, amenities, and transit work together. The categories of Saint Paul neighborhoods are depicted on Figures A and B and described on page 6. Policies in this strategy are intended to steer future growth to downtown, the Central Corridor, Neighborhood Centers, Corridors, and Employment Districts. This growth, reflecting historical growth patterns, will be consistent with policies in the Comprehensive Plan and with Cityadopted summaries otsmall area plans and other planning docume�ts. With the exception of Employment Districts, areas where change is anticipated will have a broad range of housing types. Commercial, civic, and institurional facili- ties are embedded within them, not isolated in remote, single-use complexes. Architecture and landscaping physically define the streets and public piaces. , 0 Growth targets Thfs strategy is intended to enable Saint Paul to meet the 2030 growth targets estab- lished for the city by the Metropolitan CounciL Compared to 2000 Census figures, • the targets include an additional 44,760 people and 20,890 households, and another 36,OOOjobs. Density and achievi�g targeted growth The core of the targeted growth strategy is higher density development. Higher density means that new residential, commercial, and industrial development will be at densities greater than currently found in the community. For example, higher density will be townhouses and medi um scale Flats in neighborhoods now developed with duplexes or small apartment buiidings, or larger scale multifamily apartments and condominiums where there is now small scale housing. Higher density development is not an objective to be sought solely tor itself. Higher density development achieves several objectives that mntribute to the goal ot creat- ing a vibrant, economically strong community that is environmentally sustainable; see Potential Bene£ts of Higher Density Development on p. 5. These benefits accrue when higher density is used to create a community that is unique wheo compared to others in the same city or in other cities. Policies in this strategy direct new, higher density development to downtown, the Central Corridor, Neighborhood Centers, Corridors, and Employment Districts. There will be infill development in Established Neighborhoods and modest amounts ot townhouse and small scale multifamily development at thejuncture of arterial and collector streets that traverse Established Neighborhoods. Existing zoning standards, as well as new zoning standards and districts, wili be used tosupporttheprevailingcharacterofEstablishedNeighborhoodsandtoallowhigher � density development in Neighborhood Centers, Corridors, the Central Corridor, and downtown. - Cityof Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan Q C� Potential benefits of higher density development Underlying the targeted growth strategy is the assumption that higher density development, well-designed and integrated into an existing commu- nity, will produce tangible benefits for res+dents, employers and employees, and the municipality in which it is located. This concept, while not a policy in the Land Use chapter, can be used by the City as rt considers implement- ing policies in this plan. The Urban Land Institute, in Higher Density Development: Myth and Fact (20D5), describes the benefits of higher density development: Multifamily housing is attractive for demographic groups that comprise an increasingly larger part of the Salnt Paul's population - married couples without children, many of them empty nesters; singte people and other types of households. They are more likely to want to five in an urban community, close to shopping and community amenities and to their workplaces. Higher density development, with more residents and more business owners, broadens the city's tax base. Infrastructure and publit services are used more efficiently.The costs of both are lower because they are spread over more properties. • Higher density devefopment brings toge2her contentrations of people, � • so public transit is more feasible by making frequent service needed � and desirable. � a � • Higher density, transit-oriented development often means less traffic congestion because residents make fewer and shorter non-commuting automo6ile trips, as shopping and amenities are close to their homes. Higher density development supports and facilitates economic devei- opment because it attracts reside�ts likely to work in emerging labor markets of the knowledge-based economy. . Nigher density communities are better able to support commercial retail businesses. Between 1,SOQ and 2,500 residential units within walking distance of a shopping district are needed to sustain businesses selling basic commodities and services. (Planning and Urban Design Standards, American Planning Association). M addition, a trade area population of at least 10,000 residents is needed to support a neighborhood commercial area with a traditional offering of goods and services, particularly in cities with high rates of automobile ownership (Cities in Full, Steve Belmont). 5 �� Types of Saint Paul neighborhoods "Neighborhoods`are categories of Saint Paul's built environment in a hierarchy that indudes exclusively residential areas, as well as mixed use communities and employ- • ment centers: Established Neighborhoods. Established Neighborhoods are residential areas with a range of housing type5. Single family houses and duplexes predominate, although there may be smaller scale multifamily housing scattered within these neighbor- hoods. Commerciai areas at the juncture of arteriai and collector streets provide goods and services for residents of the immediate neighborhood. (See Figure A.) Neighborhood Centers, Neighborhood Centers are compact, mixed use areas of higher density housing, as well as shopping, community amenities, and employment centers. They are served by public transit, (See Figure B.) Corridors. Corridors are primary thoroughfares tF�ro�gh the city that are served by public transit. They have a mix of uses, including residential, commercial retail and office, and smali scale industry. (See Figure B.) Central Corridor. The Central Corridor is the major transit corridor connecting Saint Paul with the University of Minnesota and downtown Minneapolis. Encompassing University Avenue, the Capitol Area, and downtown Saint Paul, it has the greatest patentiai for future growth and mixed use development. (See figure C.) Downtown. Downtown Saint Paul is the core of the city. Encompassing District 77 and lying solely on the east bank of the Mississippi River, it includes a broad mix of uses, i�cluding government facilities, at the highest densities in the city for both residential and commercial office uses. Empioyment Districts. Empioyment districts are areas zoned for industrial and • commercial uses where busi�esses can operate; they are not mixed used districts and residential uses, while permitted, are discouraged. (See Figure G.) Densities Densitycategories I Raogeofdwelling uniu peracre Lowdensiryresidential � Upto15 Mediumdensiryresideniial � i5to30 Highdensrtyresidential � Minimumof30 1.1 Guide the development of housing in Established Neighborhoods and commercial areas within Established Neighborhoods: a. Residential development up to 70 dweiling units per acre in Estabiished Neighborhoods. b. Residential development of 10-20 dwelling units per acre in commercial areas within Established Neighborhoods. This policy is intended to provide for the development of housing in Established Neighborhoods and adjacent commercial areas consistent with the prevailing char- acter and overall density of these areas. Preface to Policies 1.2,13, and ?.4. The range of densities permitted by the existing RM districts is 22 units to 54 units per acre. Several multifamily residential developments constructed in the previous decade far exceed those densities; densities of individual projects ranged between 40 units per acre and 90 units per aae. Similar densities in future residential developments in Neighborhood Centers and Corridors will go far in achieving the objective of compact, mixed use development that supports transit. According to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a minimum of 15 units per acre will support frequent bus service, while a minimum of 50 units per acre will support a walkable community and transit use. 12 Permit high density residential development in Neighborhood Centers, � torridors, the Central Corridor, and downtown. City of Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan � (Y1 ��q� 73 Study the RM multifamily districts and the TN districts to determine how they can accommodate more intense residential development; the study will • focus on density and other development standards, including, but not limited to, height, setbacks, lot coverage, scale, and massing. 7.4 Create new zoning districts to permit higher density residential and tommer- cial development The Central Corridoi Development Strategy estimates the development poteniial in the corridor, see p. 70. A zoning study to determine zoning districts and develop- ment standards to implement the Strategy and the station area plans will serve as a guide for the creation of other zoning classifications and standards, modeled after the Strategy, for areas in the city that warrant more intense development than now permitted by the Zoning Code. Established Neighborhoods Invest5aintPaul, approved by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in 2007, addresses the impacts from the substantial numbers of vacantand foreclosed properties, primarily housing, on designated neighborhoods: ioritization of vacant buildings for rehabili- tion or demof'rtion. • Rehabilitation of houses, ranging from minor repairs to major improvements. • Mortgagefinancingandlorintentivesto reduce the number of completed, yet vacant, CDGowned properties developed with city financing. Also, reduction of foreclosures by working with lenders on a variety of approaches. • Strategic acquisition of vacant properties to stabilize deteriorating blocks.These proper- tles will be rehabilitated, demolished and held for future developmenx, or converted back to siogle family use. • Evaluatlon of vacant commercial buildings for functional and economic obsolescente. • Major redevelopment projects, induding commercial gateways, commercial sites or nodes, and mixed use developments. Priority areas, in the Dayton's Bluff, Payne- Phalen, the North End and Thomas Dale (Frogtown) neighborhoods (See Figure D), are those where a concentration ot overlapping issues affect both the housing stock and the lives of residents. The program has focused initialty on target areas wiYhln the priority areas, where the issues can be addressed in a more manageable effort. . Established Neighborhoods are characterfzed almost entirely by single family houses and duplexes, as well as scattered small scale multifamily housing. Commercial areas at the intersections of arterial or collector streets provide goods and services for resi- dents of the immediate neighborhood. 1,5 Identify residenUal areas where single family, duplex housing, and small multifamily housing predominate as Established Neighborhoods; maintain the character of Established Neighborhoods (See Figure A). 1.6 Explore the potential for accessory units in Established Neighborhoods. Accessory units provide an option far changing demographics, allowing the elderly to age in place while providing more affordable housing opportunities for sin9les and couples. (See Poficy2.17 of the Housmg chapterJ 7.7 Permit neighborfiood serving commercial businesses compatible with the character of Established Neighborhoods aY the intersection of cwo streets, either arterials or collectors, located on a transit route and where commercial devefopment currently exists; retail businesses and smaller multifamily hous- ing referenced in Policy 1.8 will be on at least three of tfie four corners, 7.8 Encourage the development of townhouses and smaller multifamily developments, compatible with the character of Established Neighborhoods, at che intersections of two streets, either arterials or collecYOrs, locaYed on a transit route. 1.9 Devise and implement a neighborhood improvement and maintenance stretegy. The strategy, such as Invest Sai�t Paul, will focus primarily on low income neighborhoods. lt will be comprehensive in its approach and breadth, focusing on buildings and residents living in designated neighborhoods. Neighborhood Centers Growth in Neighborhood Centers provides housing for changing demographic groups; jobs that capitaliae on emerging labor markets; and commercial areas with goods and services for people who live and work in them, They use existing infrastructure and services more efficiently and expand the city's tax base. Growth in Neighborhood Centers is achieved through development of a range of housing types at densities that support transit and promote walking. Neiqhborhood Centers tonform to the following characteristics: d c c � v � 0 � Compact mixed use areas with a range ot housing types at high densities, as described in this plan, and at densities identified in zoning studies recom- mended by this plan. • CommercethatprovidesgoodsandservicesforresidentsoftheNeighborhood Centers, as weil as those from Established Neighborhoods and elsewhere in the city. • Located on or adjacent to primary travel routes thro�gh the city. • Located on or adjacent to routes in the Citys preferred transit network. • Community facilities, such as parks and recreation centers, libraries, and the public realm. • Connxtions by bicycle and pedestrian facilities to adjacent areas and nearby amenities. • Applicable to proposed Neighborhood Centers located on larger sites, an arrangement of streets and blocks to ensure penetrability and a block size to encourage pedestrian movement. 1.70 DesignaYe as Neighborhood CenYers (See Figure B): Existing Neighborhood Centers: a. Como-Front-Dale b. District del Sol c. East Seventh-Arcade d. Highland �Ilage e. Hillcrest f. Phaien Village g. St. Anthony h.5hepard-Davern i. SunRay-Suburban Proposed Neighborhood Centers: a. Schmidt Brewery area b. Victoria Park c West Side Flats Neighborhood Centers, identified in City adopted summaries of small area plans or other pla�ning documents, evolved as Saint Paul grew through the years. They all have an existing development pattern conducive to supporting a denser, mixed use pedestrian environment where commerce, employment, and amenities can be efficiently and effectively provided. Existing Neighborhood Centers are not all devel- oped at the same level of intensity. Moreover, some existing Neighborhood Centers, such as St. Anthony, are expected to have modest growth, while growth in others, such as Highland V Ilage, is expected to be greater. t.tt Balance the tollowing objectives for Neighborhood Centers through the density and scale of development: accommodating growth, supporting tran- sit use and walking, providing a range of housing types, providing housing at densitiesthatsupporttransit,and providi�g open spaceand recreational oppor- tunities. There can be gradations of density within individual Neighborhood Centers, with denser developmenu at the core and less dense developments at the periphery. C � 1.12 EsWblish boundaries for Neighborhood Ce�ters that reflect e�cisting development patterns and functional characteristics of the area; use these boundaries to guide development activity, monitor growth and other devel- opment co�ditions, and evaluate performance toward meeting objectives for services and community amenities. � GityofSaintPaul ComprehensivePlan Q V�� 1.73 Plan for growth in Neighborhood tenters that recognizes community circumstances and preferences as stated in City adopted summaries of smalf • area plans and City adopted summaries ot district plans while stilt provid- ing additional housing opportunities at densities that support transit and walking. 1.14 Promote Neighborhood Centers as compact, mixed use communities that provide services and employment close to residences. Mixed use development mmbines three or more uses - residential, retail, office, recreation or other functions - into an integrated, pedestrian oriented real estate project that is served by transit. Whether the components of the project are within a building orin buildings that are in close proximityto each other, theyare functionally integrated so that use of space is maximized. Some of the benefits of mixed use are activat)ng urban areas during more hours of the day, increasing housing options, reducing auto dependence, and creating a sense of place. 1.75 Permit residential development at densities contemplated in Policies 1.2 and 7.3. 7.16 Promote a plate, amenity, or activity that serves as a community fotus and emphasizes the special identity of individual Neighborhood Centers. 1.17 Provide connections for bicycles and pedestrians to community facilities and activities that support the residential population; examples are parks, recreation centers and libraries; provide connections to adjacent areas of the city. (Both the Transportation and Parks chapters indude polic+es for bicycle and pedestrian connections.) � � � • 1.18 Promote conditions that support those who liroe and work in Neighborhood � Centers,includingfrequenttransitservice,vibrantbusinessdistricts,arangeof � housing choices, and community amenities. 3 �orridors Growth along Corridors provides housing for changing demographic groups; jobs that capitalize on emerging labor markets; and commercial areas with qoods and services for people who live and work along them. They use existing infrastructure and servlces more efficiently and expand the city's tax base. Growth along Corridors is achieved through developmentof housinq and employmentcenters at a scale and intensity that support transit. Corridors conform to the following characteristics: • Arterial and collector streets. • Primary thoroughfares into and through Neighborhood Centers, as well as connections between neighborhoods. • A route in the City's preferred transit network. • A mixture of residential and commercial uses. Predominately residential corri- dors will have smallerscale commercial uses, while predominately commercial corridors will have housing interspersed with office uses and retail. • Development at high densitles to support transit. 1.19 Designate as Corridors those areas on Figure B: Corridors are arterial or collector streeu with high volumes of vehicular traffic and frequent pea k hour transit service. The existing development pattem alonq Corridors, � where supported by aoning districts that permit more intense development, has the potential to support additional multifamily residential development and employ- meM centers. 0 1.20 Balance the following objectives for Corridors through the density and scale of development accommodating growth, supporting transit use and walking, providing a range of housing types, and providing housing at densi- � ties that support transik The Centtal Cortidor Developmeni5trategy, adopted by the City Council in 2007, describes the vision and a set of strategies £or how the corridor should grow and change in response to the irnestmeot in light rail transit.5ix prin- ciples in the strategy, guiding the preparation of plans for each of the transit station areas: • Reposi2ion5aintPaulintheregion. • Benefitandstrengthenthediverse communityalong the corridor. • Linkandfosterxonomicactivity. • Improve people's mo6ility throughou[ their communiry. • Improvetheimageandqualityoflife along the corridor. • Collaboratefromdesigntoope2tion. 7.27 Establish boundaries for Corridors to guide developmentactivity, monitor growth and other development conditioas, and evaluate performance toward meeting objectives for providing services, 1.22 Guide development along Corridors that recognizes community circum- stances and preferences as stated in City adopted summaries of small area plans and City adopted summaries of district plans while still providing additional housing opportunities at densities that support uansit 123 Supporta mix of uses on Corridors. Predominately residential corridors will have smaller scale commercial uses, while predominately commercial corridors wili have housing interspersed with commercial office uses and retail goods and services. 7.24 Promote the development of more intensive housing on Corridors where supported by zoning that permits mixed use and multifamily residen- tial development. 1J3 Permit residential development at densities contemplated in Policies 1.2 and 73. 1.26 Provide connections by bicycle and pedestrian facilities to adjacent areas. 7.27 Promote conditions that support those who live and work along Corridors, including frequent transit service, vibrant business districts, and a range of � housing choices. Gentral Corridor The Central Corridor is Saint Paul's major transit corridor, connecting Saint Paul wiih the U�iversity ot Minnesota and downtown Minneapolis. Within the city, the Central Corridor encompasses University Avenue, the Capitol Area and downtown Saint Paul (See Figure Q. The Centra! Conidor DevelopmentStrategy estimates the development potential for the area within the line of change: • Rental residential units:9,700-11,250; • Ownershipresidentialunits2,V5-3,450; • O�ce - 5,750,000 sq. ft.; • Commercial retail - 7,010,000 -1,060,000 sq. ft.; and Hofel rooms - 7,000. There was no estimate on the change in industrial uses. 1.28 Implement the Central CorridorDevelopment5trategy and individual hansit station area plans as the vision for development in the corridor in con�ection with the construction of light rail transit. Transitstation areas identified in xhe Ceniral CorridorDevelopme»tStrategyareatCapitol DOwntOw115ai11tPaUi EasL Dale, Fairview, lexington, Rice, Snelling, westgate, Union oepo4 �och Street and Downtown encompasses District 17, which includes the downtown centra! business ath StreeUCedac Future transit stationsare district and the Capitol campus; it lies solely on the east bank of the Mississippi River. plannedatHamline,Western,andVctoria. Downtown is distinguished from the rest of Saint Paul by its intensiYy of develop- - ment. It has a concentration of employment and housing, complemented by retail, entertainment, and community facilities. fityofSaintPaW Comprehe�sivzPtan m o�-�� The Sai�tPaulDOwntown Development Sz�ategy, adopted in 2003, builds on the � late in the Saint Poul on the Mississippi opmentFramework with policies that pori the creation of a complex uPoan cenxer. The themes in the Stmtegy are: • A creative winter ciryforthe27st Centary, whete people an interactthroughout the year. The vision of Saint Paul as a complex urban center integrated with the river is embod- ied in the Sarnt Pau( on the Mississippi Oeve(opment Framework. Exemplifyi�g the concepts of New Ur6anism, downtown is characterized by mixed use urban villages around the office core, anchored by a park or central green; culwre, entertainment, and a regional park; the Capitol and govemment office buildings along the north- ern edge of downtown; and access to regional transportation systems, indudin9 two interstate highways and transit. • Buiiding on downtownsstrengths and The most important component �ecessary to achieve the vision in the Saint Poul on assets; specifically, an arrayofhiscoric the Mississippi Development Fromework and the policies in the Soint Paul Downtown struccures,greenspacesandparks, DevelopmentStrotegy is greater numbers of people working, living and visiting proximiTytotheMississippiRiverand downtown. More people, both during the day and evening hours, witl strengthen culcural amenicies. the existing downtown population base, a mix of residences, employment and visitor � Livabiliry, induding cultivating features of aitracTions. A stronger downtown popuiation base will, in turn, supporT initiatives to downtownthatmakeitadesirablep�ace „�,identhemixofuses,indudingnewcommercialretail. to Iive. A balance of land use, mixing residential, employment and entertainment to create a vibrant downtown. A connected, pedestriao-oriented down town, enabling residents, employees and visitors to interact with downtown places and activities. 1.29 Implement the Saint Pau/ Downrown Deve/opment Strategy. 130 Promote a broad mix of uses downtown, which iies solely on the east bank of the Mississippi River, to include commercial office, government, housing, and visitor attractions, so as to attract greater numbers of people to downtown. 1.37 Designate urban villages in downtown Saint Paul, as identified in the SainY Pau/ on the Mississippi Deve/opment Framework (See Figure E): Estpblished urban villages a. Fitzgerald Park b. Lowertown c. Rice Park • d. Wacouta Commons Proposed urban villages a. Kellogg Mall b. Lower Landing Urban villages surrounding the o�ce core, identified in the Sarnt Paul on the Mississippi DevelopmentFramework, are designed and developed to conform to New Urbanism prindples of traditional neighborhood development. "Emerging" urban villages identified in the Framework have since become"estabhshed" 132 Promote the growth and diversity of housing opportunities in downtown's urban villages at a level suf�ciently high to increase tMe residentiai population so that a broad mix of commerciai retail can be developed and sustained. 133 Strengthen neighborhood connections to downtown Saint Paul through development and improvements that support and complement downtown busi- nesses and urban villages. Neighborhood connections indude Seven Corners, Cathedral Hill, Lafayette Park, District del Sol, Dayton's Bfuff, and Railroad Island. 7.3A Promote and add entertainment and cultural activities, and visitor accom- modations to support them. , �� 71 r � a c � v � Minnesota State Capitol area The Capitol, designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, rises on a promontory north of the downtown o�ce core. The Capitol, state office buildings, and adjacent commer-• cial and residential neighborhoods (East Frogtown, Capitol Heights, the Sears block and Fitzgerald Park) are within the jurisdiction of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (See Figure F).The Capitol area is ecemptfrom Cityzoning regulations. Though the Capitol Area is separated from downtown Saint Paul 6y an interstate high- way, it is an anchor for reinvestment in the surrounding areas. ConsYrudion of light rail transit through the Capitol Area will be a catalyst fnr revitalization. Capitol East is one of the transit station areas in the Central Corridor. (See Policy 2.10 on the location ot government offices in the city.) 735 Encourage the State of Minnesota to design new office buildingsto connect functionally and aesthetically with adjacent streets and neighborhoods, affect- ing elements of site design, building design and orientation, landscaping, and streetscape. 7.36 Encourage the redevelopment of surface parking lots within the Capitol Area. Redevelopment would accomplish several objectives, including management of surface water, more productive use of the land, and creating connections between the Capitol Area and surrounding neighborhoods. 1.37 Encourage the State of Minnesota to locate its departments and agencies within the City of Saint Paul, particularly the downtown o�ce core. 7.38 Encourage state o�ce leasing on select sites in downtown that help linkthe Gapitol with downtown or that intermix state and downtown o�ce buildings. Employment Districts Employment Districts (See Figure G) include: 1. It,12 and IR districts. A wide range ot limited production and processing func- tions, as well as general industrial uses, are permitted. 2. 64 and BS districts in downtown. The full range of commercial uses, with commercial o�ce and health care the predominate employment activities, are permitted. 3. B2, 63, and TN districts on arterial streets.The Zoning Code permits offices and limited production and processing in these districts. Arterials are particularly suited to firms produdng small scale products which do not require heavy trucks for deliveries and shipping. Parcels an some arterial streets are su�- ciently iarge, or can be enlarged, to accommodate these types of businesses. 4. Land within the Central Corridor identified for empioyment uses. Policies for Employment Districts are included in Strategy2: Provide Land tor Jobs. General land use policy The Land Use chapter includes six categories on the qeneralized future land use map (See Figure A): • Established Neighborhood • Significant Mixed Use Areas • Major Parks • Major Institutional • Industrial • Water � LJ � City of SaiM Paul Comprehensive Plan m • C � , Residentiaf development �� `�� These policies address overarching issues described in the Housing chaptec 139 Promote the development of housi�g that provides choices for people of all ages, including singles and young couples, families, empty-nesters and sen+ors. 1.40 Promote the development of a range of housing types and housing values in eath of the 77 planning districts. 7.47 Promote the developmeM of housi�g in mixed use neighborhoods that supports walking and the use of pubfic transportation. 1.42 Explore the use of planning and developmenttools to increase the produc- tion of housing, including, but not limited to, accessory units +n existing neighborhoods, density bonuses for affordable units and parking red�ctions. 7.43 Estahlish a working group of representatives from City departments that will meet periodically to review and analyze how those departments can facili- tate the development process so the City can be competitive in securing projects that further its growth targets. Commerce The City supports traditional urban form and scale in compact commercial areas while, at the same time, recognizes some exiscing commercial areas, attracting regional patrons as weli as local customers, are more oriented to the automobile. An on-going evaluation ofthe effectiveness of both types of commercial areas to provide necessary and desirable goods and services is essential if they are to be an integral and productive part of Saint Paul's economy. 7.44 Maintain and enhance retail commercial areas throughout the city by promoting standards chat make them vital and attractive: a. access to a broad range of goods a�d services; b. an anthor for surrounding residential neighborhoods; c. safety for pedestrians; and d. architectural elements that add interest at the street levef. 1.45 Encourage the expansion of compact commercial areas in Neighbor- hood Centers and Corridors to further the objectives of both categories of neighborhoods. A variety of retail establishments located in dose proximity to each other strengthens a commercial area and creates a synergy that benefits all businesses.This synergy has the potential to encourage business creation and expansion. 1.46 Ensure that rtreets in compact cammercial areas conform to the following criteria: use of traditlonal urban building form; b. streetscape amenities; and c. traffic calming measures. Traditional urban buildinq form and streetscape amenities should reflectthe function of the street and the type of development on it by identifying and promoting the street as the center of a shopping district, no matter how large or smaN. Streetscape amenities should enhance the visibility of the storefronts or other buildings in the commercial area. (See Policyl.l in theTransportation chapterJ I mplementing the policy entails preparation of a study of the capital and maintenance costs ofstreetscape and landscaping improvements and how those costs wiil be borne. 73 ! d '. c v a 3 1.47 Support compatible mixed use within single buildings and in separate bui�dings in ciose pro�cimity. 1.48 Continue to promote printiples of traditional urbao form in the design of • new or renovated commercial buildings. 1A9 Facilitate the redevelopment of commercial areas where e�cisting build- ings are no longer considered functional to accommodate viable retail and businesses. Many older commercial buildi�gs are functionally obsolete and cannot be readily adapted to the requirements ot modern commercial retail and o�ce establishments. Programs to redevelop these properties or otherwise rehabilitate existing buildings have the potential to strengthen commercial areas in which they are located. 1S0 Prepare a study of commercial zoning districts citywide to determine the amouM of commercial zoning best able to provide goods a�d services for resi- dents, employment districts, and visitors in various areas of the city, as well as to be integral parts of the city's economy; recommend changes to the zoning istricts based on the study. Gi n market conditions during the first decade of the 21st Century, there is argu- ably ore commercial zoning in some areas than can be materialized into successful retail s pping areas. In other areas, commercial districts may be smaller than market co�dition can support. The intent of the study is to determine if the size of commer- cial districts hould be reduced or enlarged to make them more economicaliy viable. 1.51 Prioritize e development of compact commercial areas, actessible by pedestrians and ransit users, over commercial areas more readily accessed by automobile. Disco rage new and expanded auto-oriented uses. 7.52 Encourage cha� buildings ar�d areas impacts on the pedes Opportunity sites to the design of exisYing auto-oriented commercial h elemenu of traditional urban form to minimize 1.53 Identify opportunity sites �or future development wnsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, either as m�'i�ced use development or as employment centers, including, but not limited t2a� (See Figure B): a. Arlington/Jackson West b. Case/Hazei warehouse site c. Cemstone d. Diamond Products site e. Ford site t. Hamm Brewery g. Harriet Island h. Island Station i. Loeb Lake j. Minnehaha/Milton site k. SchmidtBreweryarea I. 3M site m. Wilder Foundation site n. West Side Flats • r � Cityof5aintPaW ComprehensivePlan m Amended Page ��' { � � 1.47 Support compatible mixed use within single buildings and in separate buildings in close proximity. 1.48 Continue to promote principles of traditional urban form in the design of new or renovated commercial buildings. 1,49 Facilitate the redevelopment of commercial areas where existing build- ings are no longer considered functional to accommodate viabfe retail and 6usinesses. Many older commercial buddings are functionally obsolete and cannot be readily adapied to the requirements of modern commercial retail and office estabiishments. Programs to redevelop these properties or otherwise rehabilitate existing buildings have the potentiai to strengthen commercial areas in which they are located. 1.50 Prepare a study of commercial zoning districts citywide to determine the amount of commercial zoning best able to provide goods and services for resi- dents, employment districts, and visitors in various areas of the tity, as well as to be integral parts of the ciTy's economy; recommend changes to the zoning districts based on the study. Given market condrtions during the first decade of the 21st Century, there is argu- ably more commercial zoning in some areas than can be materialized into su¢essful retaii shopping areas. In other areas, commeroal districts may be smaller than markeY conditions can support. The mtent of the study is to determine if the size of commer- ciai distncts should be reduced or enlarged to make them more emnomically viabie. 1.51 Prioritize the developmeot of compatt commercial areas, access+ble by pedestrians and transit users, over commercial areas more readily accessed by automobile. Discourage »ew and expanded auto-oriented uses. � 1.52 Encourage changes ta the design of existi�g auto-oriented commercial buildings and areas with elements of traditional urban form to minimize impacts on the pedestrian realm. Opportunity sites 1,53 Identify opportunity sites for future development consistent wifh the Comprehensive Plan, either as mixed use development or as empioyment centers, including, but not limited to (See Figure B): a. Arlmgton/Jackson West b. Bus barn site (Snellmgll-94) c. Case/Hazel warehouse site d. Cemstone e. Diamond Products site f. Ford site , g. Hamm Brewery h. Harriet Island i. isfand Station �. Loeb Lake k. MinnehahalMiiton site 1. Schmidt Brewery area m. SelbyNictoria (southeast comer) n. 3M siTe o. Wilder Foundation site p. West Side Flats City of Saint PaW Comprehenvve Plan • ` I l J Educational institutions U_r`��" � Saint Paul is fortunate to have a weal2h of educational facilities. (See Flgure H) They bring a breadth of opportunities for Saint Paul and its residents, as well as for those who work in the city. Moreover, they often provide an identity for specific areas of the city. 1S4 Collaborate with pu6lic and private schools elementary a�d secondary schools in conjunction with construction or major remodeling. 1.55 Collaborate with the Saint Paul Public Schools to determine criteria for reuse of school district buildings if they will no longer be used for educational purposes. 1.56 Encourage communication between educational institutions and residents of the community when those institutions seek to expand or make significant changes to their campuses. Colleges and universities are permitted uses in residential districts and the Zoning Code indudes standards far approval of a permit when an educational institution seeks to expand its campus boundary. It is in the best interests of the institution and the community if there is a dialogue between all parties to address potential conflict over a proposed expansion. 1.57 Collaborate with school organizations to promote neighborhood improve- ment in conjunction with school construction or major remodeling. �5 v � a c v w � Strategy Z: Provide land for jobs Cities can be the fulcrum for regional economic prosperity. When the assets of urban centers are utilized creatively and with energy, they are catalysts for investment in. industries and, thus, jobs for residents. Cities inherently have much to offer, howevec For many decades they were centers for economic and political activity, for culture and education, with quintessential neighborhoods where men and women who worked in the city lived and raised their tamilies. Although much economic activity has shifted to the suburbs and to oTher countries, the basic elements that made cities successful for so long are sYill in place: mature physical infrastructure; universities and vocational training schools; institu- tions and cultural amenities that provide ideas; and imporcant economic centers, sUCh as medical facilities and financiai institutions. Saint Paul during the past 20 years pulled together an array of strategies and projects intended to address the loss of manufacturing jobs. The focus has been reclaiming vacant and underutilized industrial lands and making them productive once again. Elements central to this effort included brownfield cleanup, redevelopment and workforce development. Now, early in the 21rt �entury, factors are converginq that compel Saint Paul and its partners to hone these strategies and to supplement them, so that revitalization can continue to provide forjob-rich industries. GlobalizaYion of many industries has intensified. Technologies have become increasingiy more sophisticated. The land likely to be developed with job-rich industries may often be found in smaller parcels throughout the city rether than in large swaths of land in railroad corridors. Changing demoqraphics are producing shifts in the labor market. Immigration is giving Saint Paul a new pool of potential employees, energetic and hard working but sometimes lacking skills needed for jobs that are available, at the same time that baby boomers, . though close to retirement aqe, are continuing to work, sometimes at part time jobs. Development guidelines There are core guidelines that establish a foundation for the tormation and mainte- nance of employment centers. 2.1 Ensure the availability of sufficient quantities of land suitable for e�tisting and new employment centers; prepare an inventory of properties zoned for indust�ial and commercial uses that have the potential for redevelopment as employment centers. An inventory of vacant and underutilized buildings and land currently zoned for indus- trial and commercial use will provide the City and its development partners with baseline information �ecessary to pursue a program to develop employment centers. 2.2 Promote the redevelopment of outmoded and non-productive sites and buildings so they can sustain existing industries and attract emerging indus- tries to Saint Paul; fxus on issues that include, but are not limited to, energy e�ciency, water conservation, and broadband capability. 23 Attrad industries that use best management practices regarding emi- ronmental issues, including air and water quality, soil contamination, solid waste, and sustainable construction pradices, in their site development and operations, - Cityof5aintPaW ComprehensivePlan m Job-rich employment centers at strategit locations ��` � . Saint Paul's employment districts historically have been located either in dow�town o�ce buildings or within railroad corridors running through the city. Location, land avai{ability, and transportation contributed to this pattern, which has continued with new employment centers developed since the late 1980s and earfy 1990s and is expected to continue into the future. The shift to an information-based economy, producing more service-sedor employment and small scale manufacturing, pres- ents opportunities for redevelopment on all types of sites, inciuding smaller sites and those on arterial streets. (See Figure G.) Strategic location: citywide 2.4 Focus the growth of employment centers in downtown, the Central Corridor, industrial carridars, and a� larger tracts of Iand, where there is infrastructure capacity and where redevelopmeat as employment centers, or as mixed use development that includes employment centers, could occur. 2S Encourage the redevelopment of sites on arterial streets zoned tor 62, B3, and TN2 uses as employment centers. To that end, facilitate redevelopment through a program of assembling parcels to create sites sufficiently large to accommodate smaller scale industrial and office uses. 2.6 Prepare a zoning study to determine how alleys can be used to serve smali scale industrial firms and tommertiai office buildings when they abut residen- tial neighborhoods; issues will include, but not be limited to, access, curb cuts on adjacent streets, loading areas, and buffers for residential uses. � Large scale truck delivery and shipping is often not a requirement for smail scale a � industrial firms and commercial office buildings. c 2.7 Develop opportunity sites consistent with the Gomprehensive Plan with � mixed use development that incorporates employment centers. (Opportunity sites listed in Policy 7.53.) 2.8 Work with health care institutions ta assess proposed development proj- Downtown continues to evolve. It once ects, including expansion of facilities beyond their existing campuses. filled the role of a dassic urban city, with office buildinqs and a bustiing retail area, StYategi[ location: dOwntown andthenexperiencedseveralyearswhen Z,9 Support the retention of the categories of employment ihat historically office vacancies rose and the retail sector have strengthened Yhe downYOwn office market and produced a stable empfoy- shrank. A multi-faceted revitalization that began in the early 1990s indudes, in part, ment base. cultural and e�tertainment amenities and Downtown's central bcation maximizes access to a large employment base, which is residentialdevelopment.Still,downtown attractiveforbusinessesneedingspecializedlabor. remains an employmem center that caters largely to distinct categories of users- 2,70 Enmurage the State of Minnesota, Ramsey County, the federal govero- state agencies, mrporations housed in singie-user buildings, and the health care meat, and other governmental agencies to lacate in downtown, whether in industry. Small businesses, including retaii (eased space or in an owner-occupied building. A second priority is to locate in stores catering largely to o�ce employees, other city locations well-connected to downtown. are found throughout downtown.The Government employment has long been a mainstay of downtown Saint Paul. These downtown employment base can be strenqthened with the retention of these aqe�cies will 6enefit if they are located in close proximity to each other, taking sectorsandtheadditionofbusinessesthat advantage of o�ce space available in multi-tenant buildings. (See also Minnesota serve or depend on these core businesses. State Capitol Area, Policies 135 through 138J , 17_ 2.71 Cultivate the development of Class A o�ce space in downtown. Arguably the most successful segment of the downtown o�ce market is Class A space, particularly those buildings with relatively large floor plates owned and used � by a single occupant. The average vacancy rate for Glass A space in the decade between 1996 and 2006 was 70.8 percent, almost half of the average vacancy rate for Class B office space. 2.12 Collaboratewith the City's partners, induding the Greater SL Paul Building Owners & Managers Association, GapiWl City Partnership, and the Saint Paal Area Chamber of Commerce, to develop strategies to ensure that space in multi- pie tenant buildings in downtown is occupied; most multipie tenant buildings are Class B office spate. 2.73 PrepareastudyofClassCofficebuildingstodeterminepotentialuses.The study will focus on how the buildings can be used to respond to issues raised and objectives outlined in the Downtown Saint Paul O�ce Space Action Plan (2006) and subsequent reports and will incorporate strategies included in the City's Economic Development Strategy; it will also focus on non-office uses, such as housing. Strategiclomtion: Cenval Corridor 2.14 Promote the development of employment opportunities in the Central Corridor, consistent with the CenYral Corridor Development5trategy. Construction of light rail transit and the Central Corridor's strategic location in the region will enhance the potential for employment opportunities.The scale of invest- ment anticipated in the Central Corridor will produce employment opportunities tor residents and non-residents. Strategic focation: Corridors 2.75 Redevelop underutilized or vacant land in railroad carridors. There has been significant redevelopment in the Phalen Corridor and the Great Northern Corridor in the last two decades. Ample acreage is available for Iight indus- try and commercial offlce development, or to be used to capitalize on the qrowth of freight rail. 2.16 Prepare a study of the West Midway industrial area outside the line of change as identified in the Centm! Corridor DevelopmentStmtegy to determine how the industrial area may be best used to strengthen Saint Paul's industrial sector and employment base. Figure 1 depicts the West Midway study area. The West AAidway, one of Saint Paul's historic railroad corridors, is strategically located, with much of its current business aciivity closely tied to the railroad lines that run through it. Many existing businesses, though successful, do not employ large numbers of people. The study, in part will focus on how the West Midway can evolve to capture "knowledqe-based" business activity and to take advantage of the potential for a jobs/housing match because of its proximity to the Central Corridor. Land assembly • Light industrial and commercial o�ce complexes often require significant parcels ot land, or parcels reconfigured to meet the requirements of modern business. Much land that might otherwise be appropriate fnr redevelopment as employment centers is on relatively small or oddly shaped parcels. Creating parcels large enouqh far an - employment complex will require land assembly. The Minnesota Legislature in 2006 significantly limited eminent domain as a tool for assembling parcels for redevel- opment except tor the construction of public facilities Consequently, government City of Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan 0 D�-(9� must use other tools, specifically negotiation with property owners, to assemble sites and, if needed, to dean up contaminated land. • 2.17 Utilize appropriate financial tools ta assemble parcels to be redeveloped tor industrial and intense commercial uses. 2.18 Analyze the feasibility of using the City's land assembly bond program to acquire parcels for light industrial and business development as those parcels become available. Usin9 the land assembly bond program depends on the stre�gth of the market to support the sale of pro}ects so the bonds can be repaid.The program should be used with this caveat in mind. 2.19 Seek a revision to state legislation that limits the use of eminent domain as a tool for redevelopment. 220 Seek clarification from the Minnesota Legislature on the language of Mionesota Statutes 242 and 4b9 to improve the process of transferring tax forfeit properties between Ramsey County and the City/Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Currently the City and the Housing Redevelopment Authority have the right of first refusal on all tax forfeit properties either for public use or for redevelopment purposes. Changes in state legislation are needed to deflne more clearly the issues resulting from varying interpretations of the statutes that affect both the process and transfer issues; the objective is to streamline the process so it is more effective and e�cient. v � Regulation a c The Zoning Code is both strategic and flexible in its approach to how land in indus- � trial districts is used. It permits a wide variety of manufaduring and other industrial � uses. Contrary to the stated intentions of industrial distrids, many non-industrial uses are also permitted. Practically, industrial districts have been designed to accom- modate businesses and facilities that might not be wetcome in other areas of the city. There are concerns that industrial land will be developed with non-industrial uses, which often produce a higher rate of return than industrial uses on an investment. In response, many cities prohibit residential uses in industrial areas; others do not prohibit non-industrial uses but limit their size and number and require that they be subjed to discretionary review.The policies in this section are intended to facilitate the stability of Saint Paul's industriaf and employment base. 2.21 Prepare regufations for conditional use review of specified uses, to be identified in a study of principal uses permitted in industrial districts, for the purposes of ensuring compatibility of non-industrial uses with the primary industrial function of the district and of protecting the employment base. Some non-industrial uses are compatible with industrial uses, whife other permitted uses may weaken the industrial character of the distrid and its employment base. The study is intended to determine how conditional use review for specified uses will be used to protect the industria� character of these districts. It will address the followi�g issues: a. Maintenance of the city's industriaf emptoyment base. b. Be�efits to existing and future industrial uses. , c. Significant adver5e impacts on nearby industrial uses. d. Significant alterations to the overalf indurtrial character of the area, based on the existing proportion of industrial and non-industrial uses and on the effects of incremental change. 19 222 Revise the list of principal uses permitted in industrial districts to ensure compatibilitywith the primary industrial function of the distrid for the purpose . of protecting the employment base. The Zoning Code permits a wide range of non-industrial uses in industrial districts. Non-industrial uses undermine the viability of the industrial sector and the city's employment base. The study wiil determine how the list of principal uses can be revised to strengthen the industrial settor. Saint Pau('s Iocation as a transportation, manufacturing, and distribution centerfor the northrvestern Unfted States for more than 100 years, and the downsizing of many of these businesses, has left the city with a large amo��t of mntaminated property. Sinre the 7980s approximately 7,000 acres of brownfields have been invesiigated, deaned up, and redeveloped by the City and the Port Authority for light indus[rial, cammercial, and resideniial uses.This effort fias resulted i� approximately 4,OOOjobs atfirms operating on redeveloped brown- fields and a significant property tax base increase. Remediation and redevelopment of brownfields in Saint Paul is £ar from done. Local, state, and federal programs to reme- diate brownfields, developed during the fast 20 years have been effective, but they are also complex and under-funded. Public finarxial and programmaYK assistance is necessary to overwme the extra cost and percepiion probiems assodated with the remediation and reuse of browofields. 2.13 Establish site plan sWndards for the It,12, and 13 districts for the purposes of providing for the e�cient use of land and enhancing the aesthetic quality of the d'+strict. TN development standards incorporated into the IR district enhance the appearance and functionality of an industrial development so the district is compatible with nearby commercial and residential areas. Efficient use of a parcel will yield greater numbers ofjobs for each acre of development. Brownfieids remediation Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or under-utilized industrial and commercial prop- erties which, because of actual or suspected environmental contamination, should be remediated before they can be redeveloped. Industrial buildings and property, rail yards, petroleum tank farms, old dumps, as well as dry cleaning, printing, and painting establishments, often become brownfields. Because ofthe cost of cleanup, many brownfields remain undeveloped. Redevelopment of a brownfields site is more expensive than development on unconta minated property because of the investiga- tion and deanup obligation. The social and economic vitality of a city, especially employment opportunities for � its residents, is adversely affected if underdeveloped or vacant properties are not redeveloped, while the redevelopment of brownfields resYOres and enhances a city's employment and property tax base. An additional benefit of brownfields redevelop- ment is the reuse of existing infrastructure capacity. 2.24 Create a brownfields redevelopmenY group within the Planning and Economic Development Department. The brownfields redevelopment group will do the following: • Prepare an inventory of brownfields sites. 7o assemble the inventory, the brownfields redevelopmentgroupwill use information in databases assembled by the Minnesota Poliution Control Agency (PCA) and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as Sanborn maps desaibing how buildings and sites were used historically. • Prepareabrownfieldsredevelopmentstrategicplanthatincludesacomprehen- sive approach to remediation and redevelopment of brownfields; the strategic plan will include, but not be limited to, applications tor funding from local, state, and federal agencies, as weli as tools for redevelopment and remediation using cost effxtive means, particularly leveraging development financing by the private sector. • Provide developers and properry owners, particularly those not aware of financial and programmatic assistance available for brownfieids redevelop- ment, with information about state brownfields programs, including voluntary environmenta( investigation and remediation programs, the preparation of Response Action Plans (RAP) needed for cleanup, and loan programs. _ • Assistdeveloperswithsiteacquisition,asappropriate. CityofSaintPaui ComprehensivePlan � r u ��-�� 2.25 Develop a brownflelds fund ta ese in connection with the investigation and remediation of contaminated properties identified for redevelopment. Investigation and remediation of brownfields involve extsa costs not borne by other development activities. Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants are available from EPA for citywide brownfieids projects; they can be used to investigate contaminated property where no redevelopment project has yet been identified, once an inventory of contaminated properties is completed. Establish ment of a Gty fund wil l encourage, expedite, and simplify the investigation process necessary for brownfields reme- diation and redevelopment. EPA's TAB program (Technical Assistance to Brownfields communities) assists communities in preparing applications for grant funding. 2.26 Seek funding for brownfields remediation fram the tax base revitalizatio� programs operated by the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Metropolitan Council. Both programs provide funding for remediation on sites where a project has been identified. The objedive is recyding land so rt is productive once again, specifically through the creation ofjobs and enhancement of the tax base. 227 Pursue the establishment of a state tax credit program; tax credits can be used to encourege landowners to clean up brownfields so land can be redeveloped. Tax credits will provide an incentive for landowners to clean up sites and seek reim- bursement for those costs. Reimbursement made in the year incurred, rather than capitalized over time, will facilitate a more expedient cleanup of contaminated land. 2.28 Study and impfement ways in which the �ity's land use cantrols can be used to facilitate and stimulate brow�fields redevelopment. r� LJ Redevelopmentof brownfields is often complex. Simplifying and providing flexibility in connection with zoning and other regulatory requirements may facilitate brown- fields redevelopment. 2.29 Study state and federal brownfields assistance programs and comment on changes necessary for their improvement. The Metropolitan Council, DEED, Ramsey County, and EPA have extensive brown- fields remediation programs and funding for the investigation and remediation of brownfields. Changes are particularly needed in the amount of funding available for brownfields redevelopment. 230 Support and work closety with the DEED and the Metropo�itan Cou�cil so their programs for brownfields remediation are efficient, effective, and utilized to the greatest extent possible. Economic development The crux of economic development is jobs. �ity government, however, has limited ability to influence the economy directly and, consequentry, must be strategic in what it does to encourage and support economic development. The City, with its partners, has prepared an econom)c development strategy with six broad initiatives (See Introduction). The strategy is a two-year document that will be continuously updated as implementation of its programs proceeds. , 2.31 tmplement the City's Ewnomic Development Strategy to focus resources effectively in a coordinated series of initiatives and programs intended tn secure and retain industries and commerce, and the jobs both create. 232 Collaborate with the Port Authority on development related activities for industrial projects. 27 Strategy 3: Promote aesthetics and development standards The built environment encompasses more than bricks-and-mortar development. Benchmarks for how the built environment is developed are necessary to produce a• city that is accessibie and livable. Urban design Design toachievea pedestrian-scaled urban environment has long been afoundation of Saint Paul planning and development.This concept was an integral component of the Saint Paul o� the Mississippi Development Framework and was later incorporated into the 1999 Land Use chapter of the Comprehensive Pian. The City in 2004 codified general design standards used during site plan review and design standards appiica- ble toTraditional Neighborhood districts. Adoption of theTraditional Neighborhood districts and general design standards for other districts represents a paradigm shift from a city in whi<h the built environment is shaped by the automobile to one that increasingly utilizes transi[ and accommodates the pedestrian. As the city evolves, an attractive and vital urban form becomes increasingly important to advance objer tives of pedestrian-scaled environment. 3.7 Continue to utilize and improve the provisions and design standards for the Traditional Neighborhood (TN) districts and the citywide general design sWndards in Section 63.170 of the Zoning Code to achieve a high quality pedestrian-scaled urban environment; prepare a study of these sections of t6e Zoning Code and how they have been utilized since their adoption. A study of theTN districts, including design standards, as well as the citywide general design standards, will focus on severa! issues, including, but not limited to, uses, Floor Area Ratio, parking bt location, signage, and the impact of LEED guidelines on TN projects. • 32 Prepare design standards that provide a transition between single family houses and nearby taller buildings; issues include, but are not limited to, height, mass, scale, and architectural conteut. Tailer buildings might be Iocated in Neighborhood Centers or Corridors, at the edges where tbey abut singie family neighborhoods. 3.3 Study the feasi6ility of using form-based codes to strengthen in the Zoning Code. Form-based codes are development regulations that shape the urban environment by addressing the relationship between building facades and the public realm; the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another; and, the scale of streets and blocks. Form-based codes are used to implement a city's vision for a tompact, pedestrian- scale design of the urban environment. Form-based codes are prescriptive - they state what a city wants - rather than proscriptive -what a city does not want, and do not focus on provisions typically found in conventional zoning codes, such as Floor Area Ratio, permitted land uses, setbacks, and lot coverage. 3.4 Prepare citywide infill housing design standards so that infill housing fits within the context of existing neighborhoods and is compatible with the prevailing patter� of development. The �iry �ouncil has directed the Department of Planning and Economic Development to study how new housing can be constructed and existing single family houses can be renovated and remodeled to be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood.The standardswi(I establish a baseline for devel- - opment on vacant infill lou. Cityof5aintPaul ComprehensivePla� m � 0�'I�� 3.5 Coliaborate with city-designated design centers citywide to further the integration of high quafity design into ciTy planning documents and devefop- ment projects. The City has worked with the Design Center of the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation for several years. Planning for development in the Central Corridor anticipates the creation of a Design Review and Advisory Resource, which will be responsible for col{aboretion with property owners on preliminary redevelopment concepts a�d the review of development applications. 3.6 Encourage improvement of safety through design, as outlined in Design for Public Safety. Design for Pubiic Safety incorporates the principles of crime prevention through environmental design, which focus on strategies and techniquesfor the design ofthe physical environment, both of sites and buildings, which help reduce opportunities for crime. (Policy 7J in the Parks Chapter addresses safety through design issues.) Development standards The aesthetic elements of a development are as important as others, induding, for exampte, density, height and scale. The foliowing policies address those issues. 3.7 WorkwithdevelopersduringsiteplanreviewtoutilizesectionsoftheZoning Cade that make development compatible with the existing and planned charac- ter of a neighborhood nr other area of the city; in particular, those sections on landscaping and plant materials (63.115), exterior lightinq 563.776). 3.8 Enhance the ciTy's physicai and aesthetic environment by preventing the d � indiscriminateremovatordeatructionoftrees,wherepracticable;and,byproted- a ing to large trees and exceptional trees that are historic, ecological, or aesthetic. � (The Parks chapter includes policies regarding the protection of trees.) 9 � 3.9 �onsider ground and surface water in the preparation of a site for develop- mentand in the design and construction of buildings; the site and the buildings should be appropriately designed to pratect water resources and emphasize natural features such as water bodies. The intent of this policy is to integrate measures in the Water chapter with the Land Use chapter. 3.10 Encourage the financing and construction of private unstructured open spaces, particularly open play areas, in new multifamily developments. Common outdoor areas in mu Itifamily developments outside of downtown will fulfill two objectives: provide open space that can be used and enjoyed by residents of all aqes and enhance the aesthetics of the developme�t. Maintenance of common areas will be the responsibility of the development. These areas provide benefits to residents of one development similar to those provided to the entire community 6y amenities in the public realm. 3.11 Encourage the coordination of business signs to achieve greater consis- tency among business signs and signs of community interest and to reduce visual clutter. Coordinated signage wilf enhance the city's appearance and potentially make retail shopping districts safer by reducing the distractions for motorists. Coordinated , signage will be the focus of a zoning study of existing sign regulations and sign dist�icts. 23 Open space and natural features Parks and open space are urban amenities and part of the public realm that shapes • urban development. 3.12 Preserveandsupportparksarxlopenspaceaspartofthenaturaleco-system and as critical elements in the public realm. The Parks chapter tocuses on the City's system of parks and recreation centers. This policy defiines the role of the parks system as integral to the sustenance of �eighbor- hoods in Saint Paul. 3.13 Integrate City plans and developments with the Metro Greenways program operated by the state Department of Naturai Resources (DNR), where appli- cabfe, to protect, restore and manage natural areas connected by ecological corridors in the region. Areas in Saint Paul identified by DNR for protection and restoration are Trout Brook and the Mississippi Rivershoreline. Pubiic art Public art strengthens the public realm and enhances the city's identity. IL promotes economic vitality and civic life. It advertises that Saint Paul is an attractive place to live, work, and visit, 3.74 Include public art policies in small area plans and other planning documents. 3.75 Support the development of guidelines to incorporate public art irt City- financed capital projects and larger redevelopment efforu to imbue these projects with a distinct sense of place; provide for their maintenance. Projects • include infrastructure, buildings, and landscape and exclude projects that are below ground. Involve artists early in the planning and design of capital projects. 3.16 Facilitate collaboration between artists and the community to identify opportunities for public art and to discuss civic issues that may inform the artisYs work. Vews and visual beauty Many features of the natural environment and the built environment enhance a sense of place as long as they remain prominently visible. 3.17 Preserve signi�cant public views through standards that regulate such impacts as height, bulk, scale, view corridor (See Figure J). Include these stan- dards in the site plan review pracess. 3.78 Support the protection and enhancement of the visibility of architectural landmarks. Examples are the Capitol, the Cathedral of St. Paui, the Highland Park WaterTower, and Landmark Center. Solar energy The necessity to conserve on the use of fossil fuels and to take advantage of other - energy sources has become, arguably, the defining issue during the 7940s and the first decade of the 21st Century. City of Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan m D��( 3.�9 Promote access to suntight for solar energy rystems in new or rehabilitated residential, commercial, and industriai developments to the extent possible. � Prepare a sWdy on tools, techniques, and regulations to faciliWte increased usage of solar energy systems, either as standalone systems or as supplements to conventional energy sources, including, but not limited to: a. OrienYation of buildings, lots, and streets to capture the max+mum amount of sunlight; b. Building and site design, and the permissibie levels of shading by structures and vegetation; and c. Determination of minimum deqree of solar access protection needed to produce maximum amount of solar energy. � , � v 3 a c � d 3 ZS i � Implementation The recommendations in the following planning and zoning studies will implement • the concepts and policies in this plan: 1. RM multifam+ly districts and the TN districts. Issues are density and other devel- opment standards. (Policy i.3) 2. New zoning districts to permit higherdensity residential and commercial devel- opment in the Central Corridor and other areas of the city that warrant more intense development. (Policyl.4) 3. Accessory units in Established Neighborhoods. (Policy 1.6) 4. Commercial zoning districts citywide. The issue is the amount of commercial zoning best abie to provide goods and services and to be integral part of a vibrant economy. (Policy 1.50) 5. Alleys in mmmercial areas abutting residential areas.The issue is how alleys can serve small scale industrial firms and commerciai office buildings when those uses abut residential neighborhoods. (Policy2.6) 6. Class C o�ce buildings in downtown. (Policy 2.13) 7. West Midway industrial area outside the �entral Corridor line of change. The study will determine how the industrial area may be best used to strengthen Saint Paul's industrial sector and employment base. (Poliry Z76) 8. Conditional use permit for non-industrial uses in industrial districts. The issues are compatibifity with the primary industrial function of the district and proteo- • tio� of the employment base. (Policy 221) 9. Principal uses permitted in industrial districts.The issue is land use categories that may negatively affect the availability of land for industrial activity or that may conflict with the character and function of industrial areas. (Policy222) 10. Development standards for the It,12, and 13 districts. (Policy 2?3) 11. Land use controls to facilitate and stimulate brownfields redevelopment. (Pol icy 228) 12. Provisions and design standards in TM districts and the general design standards in Section 63.110 of the Zoning Code. The issue is pedestrian-scaled urban envi- ronment (Policy 3.1) 13. Design standards to provide a transition between single family houses and nearby taller buildings. (Policy 3.2) 14. Form-based codes. (Policy 33) 15. Designstandardsforinfillhousing.(Policy3.4) 16. Solar energy. Study of tools, techniques, and regulations to facilitate increased usage of solar energy systems. (Policy 3.19j - Cityof5aintPaui ComprehensivePlan m Credits: �� C J Chris Coleman, Mayor City Council Jay Benanav (to �ecember 20071 Dan Bostrom Melvin Carter Pat Harris Lee Helgen ��1' � �/� Kathy Lantry Debbie Montgomery (co oecember zOm) Russ Stark DaveThune Land Use Comprehensive Plan Task Force Richard Kramer' (Chair) Lorrie Louder Gladys Morton* Dick Nowlin Gloria Bogen Chuck Repke Tim Griffin David Stokes Keith Jans Dede Wolfson Ed Johnson Susan Kimberly Other participants Bob Cudahy* Georgelohnson' Lon Fntts Kevin Flynn MonteHilleman JeffOchs * Plannmq Commisvon member Saint Paul Planning Commission Barbara A. Wend Bob Cudahy Bob Spauldinq Brian Alton Kharr} Carole Murphy Faricy Dennis Rosemark Daniel Ward, II Eduardo Barrera Erick L Goodlow Gaius Nelson George E.lohnson * Until January 2008 Gladys Morton Jim Bellus Jon Commers Kathi Donnelly{ohen Kristina Smitten Marllyn Porter Michael Margulies Richard J f Kramer Stephen D Gordon Susan McCall * Yung-Kang Lu Department of Pfanning and Economic Development Cecile Bedor, Director Larry Soderholm, Planning Administrator Research and Planning Penelope Simison City Staff to theTask Force Andrew Jacobson Report Production Joan Chinn _27 _ � 3 a c � m � � 1 , � . 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' 2 c�1�; a3a��. t. : �� fi;y� �N� "�3"1� T a J � � �r��' ' x ,'�� O \ �.,�-� .,,,,.., � � NNI� «a.r �� `FC�4y.v �� ,� .- Ni1321p NI13?JO � Amended Page bb'�8 311HM 0 z ¢ � � 3aV�2fv �NAVd � S � � S �, _ : £. f � y e .' tl a ( ,,._'__ . � _ � ti� ��a S 61 v �'°► 9 7 � ,.`- `' ; '" ' . �. �,. ,<�;.� :v� . ., ��..;� <• .� ,�? �, �� E `� ''�► ., �Q � � t'� �,� � � �� o..�. � � .�,,� NlIWS 1 � � �� } � *. � s �� ry: � �; x� � � �}. � �. xr � `�'.Y:', ti?��y.°„ . m �` ,.z '°°,�,� °'� t I 35E � r , z�_ � N01`JNIX3� �-� �e��-�, � �'", � ��' � � �� * � `JNIll3NS " � � i� L n ��. � \ � PLANNING COMMISSION BrumAlton, C/uin J �� l� CTTY OF SAINT PAUL Chr7stopher B Coleman, Mayor Date: To: From: Subject: 25 West Fourfh Street Satnt Paui, MN 55102 Q Telephone 651-266-6700 Facsimale 651-228-3220 November 24, 2D08 Comprehensive Planning Committee Penelope Simison, penelope.simison(a)ci stpaul mn us — 651/266-6554 Review of pubiic hearing comments on the Land Use P1an Background The Pianning Commission held a pubiic hearing on the draft Land Use Plan, one of six chap!ers of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan, on October 17, 2008. Two people spoke, both in support of the plan but with requ2sts for changes. In addition, three letters and emails were received, h�o ir support and one in opposition. This memo summarizes the issues raised and presents staff comments and recommendattons for the Committee to consider as it forwards the Land Use chapter to the full Planning Commission. Overview of public hearing comments The comments spanned several issues, with no single issue predominating. There were three comments on the growih targets and related issues. Other commenis focused on infill development, strategies for dealing with vacant parcels and the sale of affordable homes in Invest Saint Paul areas, design and related issues, and land in industrial d;stricts. 1. Metropolitan Council growth targets From the introduction to the Land Use chapter — The Mefropolifan Council has established 2030 growth targets for Saint Paul, inc/uding an additional 20, S60 househqlds, 44,160 population and 36, 000 jobs, over the figures rn the 2000 Census. This is a 39 percent increase in population during fhe 30 years befween 2000 and 2030. Comment. Benita Warns, a resident, states Saint Paul's population increased by only 500 people dusing the first half of the current decade and, given that rate of growth, it wil{ not be possible to add 44,160 people to the city's population by 2030, as projected by the Metropolitan Council. She states it is unrealistic to use these projections as a basis for future planning. She also states housing must be targeted to famifies with children, not to one- and two-person households. Comment. The Housing Preservation Project notes the preliminary draft (prepared prior to the public hearing draft) incosrectly notes the Metropolitan Counci4 targets for Saint Paul inciudes 20,860 housing units, when, in fact, it is households. Comment. The Housing Preservation Project states the preliminary draft of the Land Use chapter does not include calculations of the numbers of housing units that must be developed if the City is to meet the growth targets. Staff comments on qrowth tarqets. A number of factors are used to calculate the projections, which are developed after the decennial Census numbers are released. According to materials provided by the Metropolitan Council, an analysis of birth and death rates, as well as migration, s the starting point for calculating projections. Regional population numbers are compared to forecasts for the entire country and converted to household forecasts based on age distributions and a forecast of housing demand. Then, the regional numbers are allocated to various cities and other local jurisdictions. Additional factors are past development trends in individual cities, land supply for future household growth, and the capacity for the development of different housing types.,The Council's targets for Saint Paul are: 2000 2010 2020 2030 (actual op 286,840 305,000 320,000 331,000 hh 112,109 120,000 127,000 133,000 'obs 184,589 196,600 210,000 220,600 The increases by 2030 over the 2010 figures are: • populafion — 26,Q00 • househoids —13,000 • jobs-24,000 The Census Bureau does yearly updates on total population and Saint Paul's population declined by 20,582 people, fo 266,258 between 2000 and 2007. Even so, one of the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan update is to anticipate growth a�d prepare for it. There will aiways be shifts in population and households, so it is in the city's best interest to assume it will grow. Population and household growffi is needed if a city is to be susfained. A key elemenf in �he Land Use chapter is targeting the likely growth to areas of Saint Paul where residents, businesses, and employees will benefit. Finally, those currently entering the housing market are mostly people in their 20's and 30's, as wetl as baby boomers downsizing their homes. The Metropolitan Councii projections indicate the average househotd size wiil be 2.1 persons. Housing must be developed for these markets. Staff comment on calculations. The calculations required by the Metropolitan Council are to be included in specified charts, which will be reviewed by the Commission, the Mayor, and the Council separately from the individual chapters and be included in the adopted Comprehensive Plan sent to the Metropolitan Council for review. Staff recomme�dation. • No change to the growth targets. ' • "Households" is used in piace of "housing units." • Staff curcentiy is refining the required calculations so the appropriate review can proceed. 2. Infill development and infill housing standards — Policies 1.1 and 3.4 1.1 Guide the development of housing in Established Neighborhoods and neighborhood-serving commercial areas.• The intent of this policy is to provide for the development of infrll housing in Established Nerghborhoods consistent with the prevailing use and the overall densrfy of individua! neighborhoods. 2 p%� I�t� 3.4 Prepare citywide infill housing design standards so that infill housing fits within the context of existing neighborhoods and is compatible with the prevailing character of development. Comment. The Tri Area Block Club states infill development must be consistent with existing housing stock and, as the number of vacant parcels increases when deteriorating houses are demolished, standards are needed for redevelopment. Splinter parcels should be developed to enhance the neighborhood and not simply to increase the numbers of housing units. Lasfly, they state these standards are particularly needed now in Invest Saint Paul neighborhoods. Comment Benita Warns, a resident, states infill housing guidelines should prohibit mobile homes in existing residential neighborhoods. Staff comment. Although the comments do not cite Policies 1.1 and 3.4, they do relate specifically to their intent, which is to support the construction of infill housing consistent with the character of the neighborhood. Moreover, Policy 1.5 states that character of Established Neighborhoods should be maintained. Staff recommendation. No change. 3. Accessory housing units — Policy 1.6 Explore the potential for accessory units in Established Neighborhoods. Accessory un�ts may provide a so/ution for change demographics, allowing the e/derly to age in place while providing more affordable housing opportunities for sing/es and coupl�s. Comment. The Tri Area Block Club states lot size should be a factor in permitting the construction- of an accessory unit. Staff comment. Policy 1.6 is intended to explore the question of accessory units, including, but not necessarily limited to, carriage houses, granny flats, or attached units within larger residential structures. An initial step in the study will be to determine the scope of issues to be analyzed. Staff recommendation. No change. 4. Development adjacent to Neighborhood Centers — Policies 7.11 and 3.2 1.11 Balance the following objectives for Neighborhood Centers through the density and scale of �a'evelopment: .. There can be gradations of density within individual Neighborhood Centers, with denser developments at the core of the Neighborhood Center and /ess dense developments at the periphery. 3.2 Prepare design standards that provide a transition behveen single family houses and nea�by taller buildings; issues include, but are not limited to, height, mass, scale, and architecturai context. . . . Comment. Tri Area Block Club states growth in Neighborhood Centers should be compatible with neighboring residential areas. Comment. Benita Warns, a resident, states design standards for transition areas should prohibit any development of commercial, mixed use or residential housing of three units or more if they cast shadows onto any portion of adjacent land. Staff comment. New development in Established Neighborhoods is intended to be compatible with their prevailing character, which largely is single family and duplex housing, while development in Neighborhood Centers is intended to focus on higher density housing. Both Policies 1.11 and 32 address the issue by calling for gradations of densities within individual Neighborhood Centers, as well as design standards for transition areas between Established Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Centers. Staff recommendation. No change. 5. Vacant parcels and incentives for single family home ownership/assuring affordability in formerly foreclosed housing — Policy 1.9 Devise and impiement a neighborhood improvement and maintenance strategy. ... Strategic acquisition of vacant properties to stabilize deteriorating blocks. These properties will be either held for reYa6ilitation until the market changes, demolished and held for future development, or held and converted back to single family use. Comment. The Tri Area Biock Club states there is a need for rehabilitation of single family, owner-occupied housing, especially in Invest Saint Paul areas, and incentives for home ownership should be considered if vacant parcels are acquired and redeveloped with single- family housing Comment. The Housing Preservation Project states the City should partner with organizations, such as community development corporations, to "lock in° affordability in formerly foreclosed housing and to negotiate bulk sales at discounted prices. Staff comment. The background material for Policy 1.9 describes the Invest Saint Paul program, which includes six specific elements, including the strategic acquisition of vacant properties. These elements have been adopted by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The City_ already has in place programs to assist people in purchasing a house; these programs are available through the City and local community development corporations. People seeking to purchase one of the houses acquired through the ISP program can seek financing from these programs. Staff comment. The City is expecting to receive federal funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Project to be used in ISP neighborhoods. One requirement for the use of these funds is to "IOCk in" affordability in the foreclosed homes that are acquired for 20 years. This could occur through a partnership with community development corporations. In addition, the City is considering the negotiation of bulk sales of foreclosed units. Staff recommendation. No change. 6. Range of housing types and values — Policy 1.40 Promote the development of a range of housing types and housing values in each of the 97 planning districts. Comment. 7he Tri Area BlockCiub argues that, to ensure community stability, there must be a balance of affordable and market rate units and a concentration of affordable and low-income units should be avoided. . Staff comment. Policy 1.40 is intended to establish a nexus between the Land Use and Housing chapters, with this Land Use policy providing a broad framework for development of housing throughout the city and the Housing chapter providing details on how that could happen. Policy 1.1 in the Housing chapter, as amended by the Comprehensive Planning Committee, is the overarching policy on this issue; it states: "Increase housing choices across the city to support economically-diverse neighborhoods. Neighborhoods should seek to capture a realistic share of the growing housing market, providing more choices — including a mix of rental and ownership 4 6 �l -(9�'" units, a range of housing types, and diversity of income levels." Both policies are part of the Comprehensive Plan and must be read together to understand how housing should be developed. Staff recommendation. No change. 7. Opportunity sites — Policy 1.53 Identify opportunity sifes for future development, either as mixed use development or as employment centers, . . . Arlington/Jackson West Loeb Lake Comment. The Tri Area Block Club comments development on opportunity sites should be tailored to the character of each site. Staff comment. The policy identifies opportunity sites throughout the city. All sites listed in the policy, inc!uding Arlingion/Jackson West and Loeb Lake, have the potential to be developed either as mixed use areas, becoming additional Neighborhood Centers, or as employment districts. The underlying premise in policies for Neighborhood Centers (1.10 through 1.15) is pioviding for development that is specific for each individual area; in particular, Policy 1.13 states growth ". .. recognizes community circumstances and preferences as stated in adopted small area p!ans and district plans. .." Staff recommendation. No change. 8. Centrel Corridor — Policy 1.28 Implement the Central Corridor Deve/opment Strategy and individual transit station area plans as the vision for development in the corridor in connection with the construction of light �ail transit. Comment. Benita Warns, a resident, comments there will be insufficient parking in connection with the construction of light rail through the Central Corridor and the development of housing and businesses along University Avenue. There will be no park-and-ride facilities along University Avenue, light rail construction will remove about 90 percent of on-street parking, and high density buildings will be developed without any parking. Staff comment. The Central Corridor Development Strategy and the station area plans are intended to capitalize on the benefits of light rail. An overriding objective of light rail is to provide transit that serves a maturing urban area. There will be higher density development of both housing and businesses along University Ave�ue. As the comment notes, approximately 90 percent of on-street parking wi0 be removed to permit light rail and vehicular traffic on U�iversity Avenue. No park-and-ride lots are planned, as such facilities undermine the reason for light raii transit. In the overlay districts, parking for commercial uses is required but is calculated at a level lower than required by the Zoning Code; no parking is required for residential uses, although it may be provided, with one space for each residential unit. The City and the Metropolitan Council are exploring parking management strategies, both for the short term and the longer term, including, for example, updating permit parking requirements, installing parking meters and instituting uniform parking regulations; creating Parking Improvement Districts at station areas, and encouraging denser mixed use development with su�cient resources to finance the development of structured parking. Staff recommendation. No change. 9. Eminent domain legislation — Policy 2.20 Seek state legislation to revise the limits placed on the use of eminent domain as a tool for redevelopment. Comment. Benita Warns, a resident, states eminent domain should be used solely to acquire land for public infrastructure and not to benefit a developer. Staff comment. The debate surrounding the use of eminent domain focuses on the term "public purpose" and how that should be defined. In older, fully developed core cities such as Saint Paul, where properties may be underutilized and, some cases, contaminated or deteriorating, it is to the benefit of the whole community when they are redeveloped so they are productive once again. Currently, eminent domain may be used to acquire property for devalopment of a public facility. Pursuing changes in existing statute to permit wider use of eminent domain wiil allow the City to address issues of redevelopment of underutilized properties more broadly. Staff recommendation. No change. i0. Brownfields redevelopment Comment. In a general comment, the Tri Area Block Club states bro�:nfields projects should be prioritized and completed where they are needed and where the impact is greatest. The comment notes that too many brownfields projects take too many years to complete, citing Arlington/Jackson West as an example. Staff comment. The comment is no:ed. The Land Use chapter, in Policies 225 — 2.31, establishas a framework the City can use to pursue brownfieids reclamation and redevelopment more e�ciently and expeditiously. A brownfields redevelopment group will be established within the Department of Planning and Economic Development to inventory potential brownfields sites and to prepare a comprehensive brownfields redevelopment strategy. Policies also focus on ways remediation can be financed. Staff recommendation. No change. 11. West Midway industrial area study — Policy 2.16 Prepare a study of the West Midway indust!ial area outside of the (ine of change as identified in the Central Corridor Development Strategy to determine how the industrial area may be best used to strength Saint Paul's industrial sector and employment base. Comment. Disfrict 12 supports the study. It has three requests: ('1) the sYudy include a requirement that District 12 plan recommendations be reviewed and considered as part of the study; (2) the Comprehensive Plan delineate the outlines of a community process for public input into the study, in the form of a community advisory committee; and, (3) the Comprehensive Plan specify District 12 wili have representation on that commiftee. Comment. Benita Warns, a resident, states the study should cali for the relocation of the Burlington Northern rail yards because of the noise and pollution connection with its operation. Staff comment. District 12's requests are reasonable and, given the City's long history of including the district councils in all planning efforts, will be done as a matter of course. Whenever the City embarks on a small area plan or other planning study, of reviewing all relevant documents, including adopted district plan summaries, as well as having a community based task force process that includes all stakeholders, including representatives of the relevant district planning council. It is expected these practices will be used during the West Midway industrial study. Fiowever, these types of details are rtot typically irtcluded in a comprehensive plan document. ��f �� Staff comment. The purpose of the study is to determine how the industrial area can be best used to strengthen the city's industrial sector and employment base. The rail yards are a key component of the area, as many existing businesses use rail to ship goods in and out. Staff assumes the study wili include the rail operation, so making definitive conclusions at this time is premature. Staff recommendation. No change. 72, No-.^.et-loss of industrial land — Comment. Kelly Warden, Port Authority, requested a policy be inserted into the Land Use chapter requiring no net loss of industrial land. The Port argues too much industrial land has been lost to other fand uses; specrficaliy, 270 acres in 2000-2fl05. The Port furth2r argues other land trses, such as housing and retail, can garner higher prices than can industrial uses, which reduces the amount of industrial land in the city, thus affecting the job creation. This is also stated in a letter from Kenneth Johnson, president of the PoR Authority, attached. Staff comment. R^ analysis of shifts in land uses, done by the Metropolitan Council (see attached), indicates 31 g acr=s in industrial land use were converted to residential and commercial land uses between 2000 and 2005, while almost 45 acres in residential use were convarted to industrial and commercial uses. (The figures i.^.clude rights-of-way, not simply acres of the parcels themselves, so the net acres ccnverted, in actuality, will be less.) The issue of acreage conversion is more complex than the numbers suggest. An older, core city is always in the process of redevelopment. Sometimes redevelopment is a result of changing tastes but, more often, some uses simply are no longer needed for a variety of reasons The economy changes and, for example, traditional manufacturing declines while information-based . businesses are more �umerous. Demographic changes also influence redevelopment choices. The Land Use chapter sta#es a clear support for providing land for �ob-rich businesses What is important are the policies that enable decision makers to make judgment calls on individual land use cases. The Land Use chapter includes policies designed to address the issue of preserving industrial land in the city for use by job-rich businesses: • Policy 2.1 calls for an inventory of industrially and commercially zoned properties that will provide baseline information needed to pursue such a program. • Policies 2.15 and 2.16 focus redevelopment efforts on underutilized land in the railroad corridors and, once a study has been prepared, in the West Midway. • Policies for land assembly, to provide sites sufficiently large for employment centers, will enable the City and the Port to put together parcels on arterial streets so they can be redeveloped, presumably with businesses in the information-based economy. • Policy 222, which the Port commended at the pubilc hearing, will require condltional use review for specified non-industrial uses on industrially zoned land so that any permitted non-industrial use contributes to protecting the industrial character of the area. • Policy 2.23 calls for the revision of the list of principal uses permitted in industrial districts to delete land uses that may deplete the numbers of acres available for job-rich employment centers. Lastly, there are practical issues of tracking such a policy. The City charter requires a no-net loss policy on City parkland, but the City owns the parkland and can tabulate any acreage that 7 changes. Such tracking is not possible in the case of parcels in private ownership, Staff recommendation. No policy for the "no-net-loss of industrial Iand" 13. Industries in the city — Comment. The Tri Area Block Club states indu'stries must be clean and compatible with urban land uses, particulariy residential. Staff comment. The comment is noted. Strategy 2 acknowledges the changes in the economy, from one based largely in manufacturing to one based on information. Whiie it can be somewhat assumed tfiese industries are "cieaner" than smokestack iniiustries prevalent in decades past, that may not always be the case. For example, computers and other technological equipment include potentially toxic materials. Insofar es possible the City will promote clean industries, but the primary regulators are at the state and federal Ievels. Staff recommendation. No change. 14. "Fine-grained" desig� — Policy 3.1 Continue to utilize and improve the provisions and design standards ... to achieve a high quality pedestri�n-scaled and fine-grained urban environment; prepare a study. .. Comment. Benita Warns, a reside�t, staies ihe meaning of the term "fine-grained" is unclear and should be defined. Staff comment. "Fine-grained" reEers to three aspects of urban design. A fine-grained street and block pattern is human scaled and walkable; a fine-grained building pattern will have numerous and varied architectural forms and materials end not be monochromatic; and, fine-grained economic development includes a mix of Iocai businesses and other uses, including residential. Staff recommendation. Revise the policy as follows: ". ...to achieve a high quality, fine-grained urban environment, which is scaled to the pedestrian and includes a variety of architectural forms and a mix of uses. 15. Figure J/Significant Public Views Comment. The Tri Area Block Ciub notes the need to preserve views of the bluffs along Wheelock Paricway and the Trout Brook Greenway. Staff comment. These views shouid be preserved. Staff recommendation. Reyise Figure J to include both locations. 16. Open spaces — Policy 3.70 Encourage the financing and consfruction of private unstructured open spaces, particularly open play areas, in new multifamily developments. Comment. In a general comment, the Tri Area Block Club states more open spaces are needed to enhance the livability of neighborhoods, particularly low-income neighborhoods and higher density areas. Staff comment. Policy 3.10 is intended to provide for open space in new multifamily developments. The Parks chapter addresses public open space issues. Staff recommendation. No change. 17. Excessive signage — Policy 3.11 Encourage the coordination of business signage; objectives are to achieve greater consistency among business signs, particularly those directed to motorists, and signs of community interest and to reduce visual c/utter. Comment. In a general comment, the Tri Area Block Club states that visual clutter, especially along neighborhood corridors, needs to be addressed. Staff comment. The comment is noted. Policy 3.11 is intended to provide a foundation so that signage issues in various parts of the city, inciuding corridors, can be addressed. Staff recommendation. No change. 18. The City's regu;a.ory fremework Comment. In a general cemman:, Susan Kimberly, the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, requested the Commission support efforts to analyze the City's regulatory framework and "develop options to make it more manageable ard more development friendly" in order to realize the deveiopment potential ir. the land use chapter. Staff comment. One initiative in the City's Economic Development Strategy is to "streamline the development process." It tocuses on two broad activities: PED staff is overseeing efforts for business retention and expansion. In addition, PED and DSI are studying the processes for small businesses on such issues as zoning, licensing, permitting, and the credit process. The objective is to eliminate as many unnecessary steps in the process. Staff recommendation. No changes to the Land Use chapter. The Commission, at an appropriate time, shauld receive an update from PED economic development staff regarding progress on this initiative. Q i-I�� Saint Paul Planning Commission Cify Hall Coaference Center _ 15 Kellogg Boulevard Wes# Minntes October 17, 2008 A meeting ofthe Planning Commission of the �ty of Saint Paul �,vas hetd Friday, Oetober I7, 2008, at - 8:3 0 a.m. in the Conference Center of City Hall." Commissioners Mmes. DonneTly-Cohen, Lu, Morton; Wencl; and .. Present: Messrs. Alton, Bellu's, Johnson, Kramer, Nelson, and Spaulding, and Ward. Co�;ieissiouer.s Mmes. *Faricy, *Porter, *S,-�itten; and Messcs. "Barrera, *Commers; *Goodlow,, *Czordon, and *Margulies. Abs,ent: � _ . *Excused ; Also Present: Donna Drummond for the Plauning Administrator; AIlan Torstenson, Patricia 7ames, Lnc� Thompson, Greta Alquist and Sonja Bufler, Department of Planning and Economic Development staff: , . I. Approval of minutes October.3, 200g . , MOTION: Commissioner NeGron �moved approval of the minutes af October 3, 2008: Commissioner Aonnelly-Cohen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote: II. � Chair's Announcements Chair Alfpn had no annotwcements. III. Planning Administrator's Announce►nents . i In the aosence oi Larry Soderhoim, I3onna Drummond reporFed on planning-related business a# the CityCouncil for last week.and their agenda for nea�t week. IV. PUBLIC HEAI2ING: , Land Use Pian — Item from the Gomprehensive Planning Committee. (PeneZope Simison; 651/266-6554) , Chair Aiton announced that the Saint Paul Planning Commission i holding a gublic.heazing on � the Land Use Plan. Noflce of the pu6lic fieazing was puhlished in �e Legai Ledger on Septem6er 22, 2008, and was mazled to t�e ciiywide Early �otification System list of recipients and other interestedparties. : ' , Penny Simison PED'staff gave a presentation on the proposed Laiid Use Plan and the maps in the plan. luls. Simison talked about the similazities with the e�sfing plan, such as stable neighborhoods, growth, a vibrant downtoa%n, and urban character. Key elements of tkie proposed 1 a . . ' ` . _ � .I .. plan are azeas of stability and azeas of ckange; mixed use growfli at neighborhoo� cettters and along m2jor corridocs, Each azea of growth capitalizes on transit and it seeks to _have higher . density residential development. In addition land for job centers capitalizes emerging labor mazket. There aze also policies tLat seek to find ways to make smaller sites into job centers. . Chair ?,lton read the rules of procedure for tk8 public hearing. The following people: spoke: 1. Susan Kimbedy Vice Fresident of Economic Development for�the Saint Paul Area � Chamber of Commerce. Ms. KimberTy said the Chamber supports the groposed F,and tJse Plan: Although the chamber does not endorse every Word, it thinks the ptan �sets a.<. reasonable &amework for'encouragiug growth in Saint Pau1.- She contiaues #o say that '. '�ere aze several asyecs af the plan t�at they enthusiastically endorse: Defining azeas where change is likeiy io happen, aclmowledgingth� henefits ofhigiter deusity- 3evelopment,'tke importance of public trnnspoitation iafraslructure; designating . Substaa*1'al azeas for: cliange, and ac&nowledgiug Lhe need for designatiug specific azeas � . for job creation, retentiou and expansion: • Fiowever, the poteutial of this plau will not be achieved if the right oalance. hetween ." ' . public regula$on and private investment is nof inet. Theie is a rieed to look af the • ? fiamework #hatgovera§ liusiness and revitalizataaa efforts. This i�ramework needs to be simplified. The Lan� Use Plan yrovides a'gczod frame.workfor enco"*��+ng �vallcable �sban development in Saant Paul, but to make it a reality we need ta align our dreams wit3r oia regulations. ' - - : . � , Commissiotter Johnson asked what specific thing(s) dces the Charu6er Iiade the mo.st problem witk? ' . ; " Ms.'Kimberly said slie thinks the enncept of flesigqating areas of change and areas of stabi]iiy goe"s a long i�x reducing the tens�on betQVeen busiuess azeas and re'sidential neighborhoods. _ 2: Kelly.Wazden from the Saint Paul Port AuLhority, 345 St'Peter. Sheet, Saint Paul, MN: The Port Authority would like to see a policy �of no net loss of industrial land. She said . that the city has lost 27 acres of indusYtial land ffom.2{3D0 - 2005, and that land could have.provided 4100,jo6s. _Th� Pott Authority has a record of acquiring indusErial land, oleaning it up and providing jobs for the cammunity. No�v there. is not land available to ,. � continue this process. Ttie Port Authority has reeently negotiated the purchase of the 3I41 `'site on Saint Paul°aEastside. ` _ , � . Commissioner.Kramer. questioned talks ahout the 3M land and the Port P,uthority's � in,ferest iu selling industrial Yand on the 3M site to Ramsey Countg for office putposes. Commissiouet Kramet �anted to know ho� that jives with:the Port's sup�ort of.a no net . � - loss of indush golicy. Ms. @Vazden said the Port Authorify feets there shoul& be a policy surrounding industriat land and}obs. Criven mazketopportunities,.thexe might be the gossibility �o put hig�er density }obs on a gven site.: The Port's fear is more of this industrial:land tuuied into somefihingthat doesn't create jobs: ' � � 2 _ . . ' ��f .�V/ MOTION: Con�rnissioner ponnelly.Cohen moved to close the public hearing, Zeave the record open for wtittex testimony unti14:30 p.m. on Friday, Ocfoberl7, 2008, andto refer the tnatter back to the Comprehensive Planning Comminee for review and recommendatian. Commissioner Ward seconded the rriotiorr: The motion carried unanimousLy nx a"voiee vote. V. Zoning Committee NO BUSINESS Commissioaer lvlorton announced the'ne�ct Zon'ing Commiftee meefing will 6e on Oatober 23, 2008.- VI. CompreHeusive Planning Committee No Report VII. Neigliborhood Planuing Committee No Report . VIII. Communications Committee . No Report IX. Central Gorridor Development Analysis T�vin Cifies LISC/Corridor Housina Initiative lCHI� = Guest presentation by Gretchen Nicholls, Twin Cities LISC and'Bazb�ra Raye, Executive DireotoT, Center for Policy Planning:and Performance. The CHI held community workshops on the redevelopment potential of three sites along the.Cenfiral Comidor, where residents and designers used model buildings and financial pro formas to create development guidelines. • Gretchen NicIioIls gave a power po[nt presenYation that nrovid'ed an overv?ew of the mate: ia?s distributed. Ms. Nicholls said that the development gtudelines ttiemselves are the actual findings of the fmal regort. Also included was a fact sfieet showing how the financial analysis was done, a summary of a, developer panel that was held and a community development wi'sh.list summary. Ms. Nigholls explained that the reason for doing this process was to look in more deptfi at the polential of development at thr�e eacample sites along the Central Corridor, helping tlse community determine what it would like to see and what is economically feasible to build. Barbaza Raye explained more abodt the initiafiVe, which operates under some core princigles. 'f'his is a proactive planning process. Developers aze finding that the neighborhopd neads to own what happens in its own neighborhood or it won't be sustainec2, protected or wel�onted. So the Corridor Hot�sing Initiative is about creating partnerships. Ms. Raye added that good developmant is a iwo,,or three year process a"t a minimum. So the goal is to'be a little ahead of the procesS but no! so faY that peopie do not remember the conversarion. CHI likes to rdork with the cammuniry before there is a partipular plan for a site by looktng at opportunity sites in fhe area. . To: St. Paul Planning Coxnxnission ��(�/� C/o Penelope Simison � From: Tri Area Block Club C/o 1111 Abell Street St. Paul, MN 55117 Re: October 17, 2008 Public Hearing for Land Use Chapter of St. Paul Comprehensive Plan Date: October 13, 2008 The members of the 14-square block Tri Area Block Club, located in St. Paul's North End neig$borhood, wish #o aclrnowledge the work of staff and task force members in assembling the Land i)se Plan for the City Comprehensive Plan. Many of the issues we feel need to be addressed aze included in this plan. Our comments regazding each straiegy aze as follows: ➢ Strategy 1: Tazeet p_rowth in uniaue communities • We aze encouraged by the use of terms fhroughout this plan that recognizes "community circumstances and preferences," small azea plans and district plans, "community focus," "special identity of individual neighborhoods," compatibility, "consistent with prevailing use," coliaboration with residents, etc. This reflects community inciusion and consideration in tne planning process, which is key io success. • Each neighborhood is unique. Therefore, we agree that it is extremely important to maintain and enhance existing chazacter and to focus resources on ensuring stability in establisherl neighborhoods. There is an immediate need for this attention in Invest St. Paul neighborhoods. • Infill development must be consistent with and compatible to the existing housing stock. At a time when vacant pazcels aze on the increase, there is an urgency, especially in TSP azeas, to establish standards, guidelines, and oversight for redevelopment of these pazcels in order to insure the integrity of the neighborhoods. District Councils and residents must be included in the planning and decision making processes. • Splinter pazcels should be used in a manner that enhances the neighborhood and not just viewed as an opportunity to "cram in" another housing uait. • Density is not always appropriate or desired. This is key to any consideration of higher density development. • To ensure stabiliry, there must be a balanced mix of affordable and mazket rate. Avoid concentration Qf affordable and low income. Item T.40 is key (pg 15).. • Accessory units should be explored with caution and on an individual basis with consideration of long-term consequences. Lot size must be a factor. � , • There is an urgent need for rehabilitation resources/assistance for single-family owner occupied homes, especially in ISP areas. The City cannot afford to lose that foundation for neighborhood stability. This should be a priority. Strategic acquisition of vacant properties should also include incentives for home ownershin if canverted to single-family use. Ensure that growth around Neighborhood Centers is compatible with and not intrusive to neighboring residential azeas. Development on opportunity sites (pg i'n must be failored to the chazacter of each site. For example, in the North End, Arlington/Jackson west can accommodate larger scale development resulting in�nore jobs. Loeb Lake is more residentiaUpark in nature aud may present smaller scale opportunities that should be sensitive to the current chazacter of the azea and not be overwhelming. ➢ Strategy 2: Provid:, land for iobs • Arlington/Jackson was one of the fust brownfield reclamation projects in St. Paul and yet; it remains twfinished. It sfiould not fake 20 yeazs or more. Projects should be prioritized and completed where need and impact is greatest. Invest St. Paul areas, wluch haue been identified as those most economically disadvantaged, would benefit most. • In terms of eminent domain, there needs to be an understanding of the value of remediating and redeveloping brownfields in an urban core. There aze benefits to struggling, lower economic neighborhoods in terms of jobs rreation, and an expanded taY base. Remediation also contributes to the health and safety of residents and the quality of watersheds. • Types of industry must be clean and compatible with urban densities, especially neazby residential. i �'uai.c�y �: � r;,zote aesihzt:cs ��u uevz,3o.ueni standards • Design and development standazds aze key. Those for infill housing are needed n� especially in ISP neighborhoods where vacant lots are increasing at an accelerated rate. The City, District Councils, and residents must be included in � development plans for infill housing. tllready, too many houses that are contrazy to the chazacYer of neighborhoods hzve been d•.�mped on loYs. • More open spaces aze needed to enhance the livability of our neighborhoods, especially in lower income and higher density azeas where fewer oppornmities exist. • Visual clutter, especiallq along�neighborhood corridors, needs to be addressed. • Thank you for acknowledging the value of the Trout Brook Greenway P1an and the need to ensure tbat fuhue projects aze compafible with that plan (pg 30, item 3.13). � • In an urban environment, the need exists to preserve views. and visual beauty, which in the North End includes the views and bluffs aloug Wheelock Pa and the Trout Brook corridor. • Brownfields could be turned into "green" opportunities incorporating wind, solaz, greenspace,trails, etc. ' V f / l�� .`uNT �AUI' �EA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Testimon3� regarding THE LAND USE CHAPTER OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Planning Commission Public Hearing October 17, 2D08 Chair Alton and Members of the Planning Commission. My name is Susan Kimberly and I am Vice President of Economic Development for the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. I am here today to tell you that the Chamber generally supports this proposed chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. Although we do not endorse every word on every page, we tTunk it sets a reasonable framework for encouraging growth in Saint Paul. There are several aspects of this plan that we enthusiastically endorse: By defining the azeas where change is Iikely to happen and where it is not likely to happen, the plan provides snbstantial camfort ar.d certainty to residents and property owners in both azeas. It creates an environment that should allow stalceholders to develop policies that will encourage appropriate growth to occur in appropriate places. • By aclrnowledging the benefits of higher density development within the designated areas of change, it provides a basis for encouraging that kind of growth in appropriate places. • It acknowledges the importance of public transportation infrastructure and the beneficial link between transportation investment, urban redensification and economic growth. • It designates substantial azeas for change that should provide the opportunity for a substantial amount of growth in azeas throughout the City — growth levels in tune with Metropolitan Council projections. . • It acknowledges the need for designating specific azeas for job cceation, retention and expansion. In an era of mixed use development the plan recognizes that some azeas must be reserved for job providing uses. As we often do, we would caution, however, that the potential of tYris plan will not be achieved ttu�ough the pmmulgation of this or any other plan. It wi22 be fulfilled ihrough private invesfinent by a variety of businesses, investars, homeowners and entrepreneurs. If we strike the right balance between public regulation and private investment, we believe that the vision of this plan is achievable. If regulation is done with too heavy a hand, however, inveshnent will be drawn away from Saint Paul towazd other azeas that make fewer demands and offer greater retums at lower levels of risk. There is a I�road consensus in ttus community as well as a significant cbnsensus lvithin our own City Hall that doing business and investing in revitalization in Saint Paul is too difficult, too complicated and, generally, just too hard. There is a serious consensus thai we need to take a hard look at the regulatory framework that governs b;:siness and revitalization efforts. There is a broad consensus that this framework needs to be simplified. In this light, I_would encourage the planning commissian to support and encourage efforts that aze just getting underway to take a fiazd look at the City's regulatory frame work and develop options to make it more manageable and more development friendly. This land use chapter provides a good framework for encouraging walkable urban development in Saint Paul, but to �make it a reality we need to align our dreams with our regulations. This effort is �art oz the City's Economic Development plan unveiled last snmmer and we commend PED and DSI for being willing to look at the eacisting fraxnework with the objecrive of making it more user friendly. The Chamber will work with them in support of their efforts and we hope the Planning Gommission with also support their work when it is available for your review. ThanlE yQii, Chamber of Commerce Center. 401 North RobeHt Street, Suite 150 . Saint Paui, Nlinnesota 55101 Suburban Business Center . 1935 County Road B2, Suite 241 . Roseville, Mmnesota 55113 Phone: 651.223.5000 . Fax: 651223.5119 . saintpaulchamber.com T � � 7une 20, 200& Larry Soderhohn Planuing Administrator St. Paul Plamiing Commission 25 West Fourth �t. 1400 City Hall Annex St. Paul, MN 55102 Housing Preservation Project A Public FnYerest Law Firm RB: St. Pau12020 Comprehensive Plan draft — Comments Deaz Mr. Soderholm: The Housing Preservarion ProjecY (HPP) is a public interest law firm based in. St. Paul which employs advocacy and legal strategies to preserve and expaad the supply of affordable housing. For some yeazs now, one'of I�P's interests has been advocating for more effective looal govemment policies tg promofe more affordable housing prodaction. See, for example, www.T^HousingPplic�org. HPP offers the folIowing comments on SL Paul's 2020 Comprehensive Plan draft. Land Use Plan Guidang Land for Affordable Housing The Land Use Planning Act (the Act) requires that the Land Use Plan contain standazds, plans and prograxus to meet e�cisting and projected local and regional housing needs iricluding official controls and.land use planning to promote the availability of land for low and moderate income housing. Minn. Stat. § 473.859 subd. 2(c). To �lesh out this requirement,. Me�opolitan Counoil guidelines call for the comprehensive plan to guide sufficieut land at anpropriate densities to demonsLrate that tlis requireme*!t can be m_et. Local Plauuing Handbook, pgs. 3-9. The Local Planning Handbook sets out a number of requuements to assure that, each municipality has. land use plans demonstrating "residential development at appropriate densities to accommodate the growth forecasted." Pg. 3=6. Requirements include a map and tatsle doqumenting curre� land use (pg. 3-2), tables indicatuig projected land use at-2010, 2020, and 2030 (pg. 3-4) and, using standard Metropofitan Council calculations of residential development capacity based on net densities of net acreage to be developed (pg, 3-5), show stages of development in five yeaz increments (pg. 3-7). The St Paul draft plan currently meets none of these specific requirements. In fact, the draft Plan is inconsistent on a fundamental point. The Land Use Plan states that a central element of tha Plan is the Metropolitan CounciPs projecrion of the number of housing units to be developed and that the Plan "envisions that 26,000 housing units could be developed citywide by 2030." Pg. 15. Similazly, the Housing Plan calls for housing sites 570 Asbury Street, Suite 105 • SL Paul, MN 55104 • tel: 651:642.0102 . fax: 651.64Z.0051 Dedicated to erpanding cmd preserying the supply oJ affordable housing in Minnesata and naYiomvide for "26,000 new households e�cpected citywide by 2030." The problem is that these niunbers aze twiae fhose actually projected by the MetropoIitan CouncIl. "Fhe Coizncil has projected 26,000 new population, and I3,Ob0 new households hy 2030. Those CouncIl projecfions include 7,OOC new households added between ZO10 and 202C. That is the basis for the Council's goal of 2,625 new affordable housing units by. 2020. Either the City's numUers or tfie Metrczpolitan Coimcil's numbers aze :incorrect, and this . inconsistency needs to be resolved, In addition to this criticai discrepaFtcy, the dratt fails to produce any of the detailed projections required and instead merely states "the densities"in the Zoning Code, and• those that will result from the siudy in Policy 1./, aze intended to produce the nuuibers of housing units that will enable Saint Paul to meet Yhe IVfetronolitaxi Council's projections." . P: 15. This is insufficient to meet cleaz statutory and Metropolitan Cotuacil requirements. We understand that tlie city is embazking on a study of appropriate zoning and density levels along the Centra] �orridor, arid that it may.�e pr�mature to get too specific at this point. We do lmow, however, from other ptaaning efforts around tke' Censal Corridor that proj ecrions of housing units for each station area have already peen created, and that infotmation should at Ieast' be included_ In add;fion, the pian envisions 11,000_ housing units by 2030 (if that number is stiIl correct) `in azeas oi the ciiy oth8r than Central Corridor. Presumably the city should be. ready notv to demonstrate the availab:lity of land at desigtiated d@nsities.to satisfy that portion of the projected units. __ InvesY 5t. Paul Program In addition to the activities set out in strategy 1.6; another activity should be partnering with local aonprofits and CACs to "Iock in" aPfordability oyer the Iong term on. seacquired foruierly foreclosed homes, and to.try to negotiate bulk sales at diseounted prices. Attaching long teun affordabiiity restrictions coutd.prove p.articutarly valuable in azeas facing.the prospect of fuhue gentrification, such as lower income azeas adjacent to the Central Corridor line. � _ " Hous;ug Plan . . . General Comments A focus of the AcY i's assurance ttiat a community's comprehensive plan effectiv,eIy addresses the community's sliare of the locat anii regional need for affordable. housing. - The Act reqpires .an implementation program describing- "specific actions to be undertaken in stated sequence to impiement the comprehensive plan, including officiat . controls which wilt piovide suffioient e�cisting and new fiousing to tneet the city's share of the metro azea need for loiv and moderate.income housing. Subd. 4(3). The f3ousing Implementation section of the draft Plan falls short of this requirement. If lists a number of organizational steps to take to analyze and monifor affordable housing issues but lacks the discussion of "specific actions to. be undertaken in sfated sequence" which is iequired. Below aze some suggestions for adding speCificity to the draft Plan. D��I�i� Preliminar�ly, however, it is also useful to point out that the Planuing Handbook requires that the Plan "aclmowledges the community's share of the region's need for low- and moderate-income housing." While the dra$ Plan acknowledges that the Metropolitan Council has allocated a goal of 2,625 affordable housing units to St. Paul, that is not the same as the City's acknowledgment that the City's goal is at least 2,625 new units affordable at or below 60% of area median income between 2�11 and 2020. IYs not cleaz how a policy of requiriug that 30% of city-assiste3 homeownership units be affcrdable at 80%, rather than 60% of inedian, furthers the Metropolitan Council's affordable housing goal, especially since the current policy requires that at least 20% of a11 city-assisted units be affordable at 50% of inediap. Will the City be able to meet the Mei CounciPs 60% AMI goal just th*ough app?ication of ?ts polioy for city-assisted units ? If not, how,else will the city meet fhat goaI ? The Plan doesn't currently answer this critical quastion, and therefore has not described speqific actions which will provide sufFicient units to meet th� gQ� Inclusionary Zoning li. several places the plan indicates that density bonuses and/or inclusionary zoning (iZ) shouid be considered, particulazly in connection with Central Corridor housing development. The pian should be more forthright about these fools, as they have the potential to be highly useful means to create mixed income housing along the Corridor. The city's current policy of requiring the inclusion of affordable units when the city.. P70V1Q'0S tllE deveioper wii.ti iuriuirig h� b`+cIIC7<tiiy �iceYf ZiieCiitic� 'a5 j a2 aS ii yv2S, i�7 crearing affordable units. However, if a hot market develops along the Corridor the possibility exists of substan6al residential construction with no resort to city fiznding. Without an explicit policy that requires developers to include affordable units, in r�turn for incentives from the city sufficient to make the affordable units economically feasible (density bonuses, fee �vaivers, regulatory relief, etc); the city may be le8 powerless to ensure mixed income housing at or near high demand station areas. Moreover, the plan now repeatedly emphasizes that the city's ability to offer funding for affordable housing is limited, and must be prioritized. Inclusionary zoning (IZ) is a way. to heip achieve the city's affordable housing goats relying on development cost savings through regulatory flexibility rather than direct public subsidies, and thus stretches the city's capability of ineeting housing goals. In HPP's experieuce in exam;n;ng the potential of IZ in the Twin Cities suburban coritext, it is possible to produce Housing affordable to households at 50-60% Area Median Income, without public subsidies. Applying IZ along Central Corridor will play out somewhat different�y, but should produce roughly compazable results. Some have voiced concern that adoption of 1Z could scare off development if a strong mazket does not materialize along Central Corridor. First, an effective and workable IZ . policy would create the incentives to make inclusion of affardable units financially 3 feasible for the developer withont imposing 3 burden; if done that way, the policy should scare no one off. Second, in the unlikely event a post-light rail market remains soft, the city could always repeal or moclify an IZ policy, whereas if the city waifs to see if tfie hot _ market develops before considering IZ it wouid be too late. Working out ihe complexities-of IZ. takes time; meauwhile, private development could capture the best opgoztunities witho�.x* the cify having. a chance to shape the outcomes. Accessory Units The _plan is correct that this is a promising tool which should 'oe eacplored. It is uncleaz from tha plaa, however, if c�nsideration is.Iimited Yo e�gting slnzctures oniy, such as carriage houses oz other homes with the .potential to. carve out distinct. apartments. ConsideraYion should also be a �'ven to including accessory units in�ewly conskucted housing. The ciiy of Chaska provided for this in its Clover Ridge deyelopment, and St. Paul should look closely at that model. Preservation of Subsidizea housing The plan rightfully notes tfiat the ciry should be working to preserve subsidized rental. properties at risk of conversion to mazket raie rents, but is vague. as to ac6ons the city shouid take. .There aze three clear tasks for the city in this arena: aarefully. track _ atl progerties Yhat have use "restricrions x�esulting from receipt of local funding, use the leverage those restrictions .provide to ins:st on continued. affordabilit,y, and work with tenant and advocate groups attempting to preserve these properties. 3n addition, 4he Ciry should consider also adopting a policy of denying.discretionary.city funding to oWners who have converted their subsidized St. Paul properties to mazket rate rents. Protecting neighborhoods from displacement The plan notes that the city can encourage acquisition of privately owned affardable housing by.nonprofits and similaz groups.wliich is at risk of escalating prices and rents due to gentxifica�oa. Neighborroods adjoiaing Central Corridor are most' at r,sk of this ghenomenon, though there may be otiier areas of the city as well. Nonpmfit acquisition of . unsubsidizeci yet still affordable apartment buildings can serve several public purposes—immediate protection from gentrification, and ereating the possibility that over time the property can become moie affordable due to nonprofif ownerslup. The current foreclosure crisis provides an opportunity. for nonprofit acquisition of lpwer , cost single family homes. Placing such properties in land trvsts or otherwise attaching long term affordabilify restrictibtts should be pursued,"particulazly where t$eSe homes are located in azeas threatened or potenfially threatened by gentrification.. Land banldng is another strategy thai can mitigate the inevitable inereases in iand cbsts along Central Corridor, and the City_should be aggressive in securing £unding for that purpose, of finding parkners who can do so. q �� A recent study by the Urban Institute emphasizes the urgency of developing anti- displacement stratea es for neighborhbods facing gentrification as eazly as possible. "In The Face of Genttification: Case Studies of Local Efforts to Mitigate DisplacemenY' (2006). The experience of these six lower income communities engaged in various stages of gentrification was that strategies fo preserve and eaipand the affordable housing supply (in parf to offset the inevitable loss of affordability as prices and rents escalate) were esseurial. The other common conclusion from groups in atl six az�as was that in each case they wished th8y had started earlier in developing housing strategies. This was pazticulazly true with respect to land banking. Now is the time to begin putting in place such strategies for neighborhoods along East University Avenue, and the Plan shoutd reflect the urgency of that task. Neighborhood Rev:Yalization / Foreclosure Crisis With respect to strategy 2.12, in addition to cooperating with the lender community, it is also necescary to hold the lender communiry accountable for the gr.oper, maintenance of foreclosed homes in St. Paui. There are now 2000 vacant foreclosed homes in the city, creating enormous burdens on the city and on neighborhoods. Where lendezs in possession of these homes aze failing in their basic maitttenance responsibilities, the city must employ availab7e civil and criminal prosecutions, as weli as traditional administrative actions. Thank you for the opportunity tn offer these comments. Sincerely, 4 � Tim Tho ps Presiden 1900 LandmarkTavers� 345 St. Peter StreeT Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102-1661 September 2, 2008 ppR p� 9 a '' x r O 2 � 'bS b Y . Ms. Cecile Bedor, Execu{ive Director Planniug and Bconomic Development 25 �Jest Fourth Street Saint Pau1, MN 55102 Dear edor: L ��`�� .s�m� U Tel: 651-224-5686 Fae:651-223-5798 � " Toll Free: 800-328-8417 �Hww.sppa.com V�'� �� The port Autfiority greatly appreciates the opporhuiitq to participate in the GSty's update to its Coinprehensive Plan. As yo�. may knbw, over fhe past year and a Iia1f we have attended meetings rerated to the Land LIse Chapter of your plan: As has been exp: essed at thosz meetings, the Port Aut?�oriry is very concerned about the loss af industrially zoned land in flie Cify of Saint.Pau1, since this land provides bo4h a hoine for expanding businesses acid significanf job creation at good wages and benefi�s. From 2000-2005 the City of Saint Paul sufFerecl a net Ioss of over 270 acres of industrial land uses. Tfiis amount o£ land could have housed over �,I00 good naying jobs, but was taken out of the industriaUjob creation market, having been converted to other land uses. The €act of the matter is that s�any othet latad uses, sugh as hous:ng and reiail,, can anord to pay higher rafes for land than industrial uses and therefore tlie playing field is tipped towards conversio� aw. ay frorm in3us�ial uses as land is redzveloped and neienborhoods are revitalized. 4Vhen one of fhese other real e'state sectors is in a pazticular up-cycle, as wifh housing in the eazly part of this decade, a dangerous pattern emerges that has continued fo erode away tfie amount of land available for jobs and taY base growth in the City of Saint Paul. The Port Authority continues to believe that a"No NeY I.oss of Industrial L,and'° .policy sk�ald be eaacte3 city This �omprenensive Plan update is a key opporEunity to take a strong step in ensiu�ing the economic future of the City of Saint Pau1. I urge you to reconsider this matter and include this language in your draft Comprehensive Pian � Sincerely,. Kenneth R. Johnson President cc: Brian Altou, Cfiair, Saint Paul Planning Commissian L,orrie Louder, Dzrector of Development Monte Hilleman, Vice Presiden� of Redevelopment 44755.v1 St Anrhony Park Communiry Council/Dis[rict iz 890 Cromwell Avenue, Saint Paul, t�tx SSIi4 6 �i/ 6 49 - 599 2 r�, 651�649-5993 Fnx R'ww.sapccorg October 13, 2008 Penelope Simison 1100 Cit�,� Hall Annex 25 VJ Fourth St Saint Paul, MN 55102 Dear Ms. Sunison, /�/',/�' " " (J�I ST. ANTHON E�� = �� • �i5�� Tke Saint Anthony Park Community Council reviewed the proposed Lan3 Use Chapter of the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan on October 9th. The Council had no objecrion to the proposed West Midway study (perhaps more accurately termed the South St. Anthony Park study). We welcome the opportunity to study in depth the most appropriate uses of South St. Anthony Pazk. Howe�er, the Co�.uicil felt that it is vital that the Comprehensive Pian refereace tc the study include a requirement that the District 12 Plan recommendarions be reviewed and considered as a part of the study. They also thought it was key that the Comprehensive Plan delineate the outlines of a community process ior public input into the study, in tne form of a community advisory committee. The council requests that the Comp Plan specify that D 12 will have representarion on that committee. The following two resolutions formally convey these recoxnmendations from the SAPCC: The SAPCC requests.that the Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan be changed to incorporate considera �an of the �istrict 12 Lard Use�ra�osal fo South St. Anthony Park in the West Midway study mission. The SAPCC requests that there be a community advisory committee, with D12 representation, to the West Midway study. The Comp Plan should refleet that in writing. On behalf of the St. Anthony Park Community Council, I send thanks for your considerarion. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about our comments. Sincerely, � `__ � � Renee Lepreau Community Organizer :10/17/2008) Penelope Simison - Testimony for Land Use Plan Public Hearing Paqe 1. From: "Wams, Benita B- Eagan, MN" <benita.b.warns@usps.gov> �"( �� `J To: "Carry Soderholm" <Larry.Soderholm@ci.stpaul.mn.us>, <penelope.simison@c... Date: 10/16/2008 11:21 PM Subject: Testimony for Land Use Plan Public Hearing � CC: "Russ Stark" <Russ.Stark@ci.stpaul.mn.us>- Please enter this e-mail into the.offeial record of the October 17, 2008 St. Paul Planning Commission's Public Hering on the St. Paul Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan. I wish to go on record in oppositidn to much of what is in fMis draft. The entire draft is besed on .pro}�ctions from the Met Counci{ concerning the number of people who will live in St. Paul by the year 2030, and I believe these projections ta be flawed. St. Paui only grew by 500 persons in the first half of this decade. If the documented growth rate , of 100 peopie per year is applied to the remaining 21 years until 2030, St. Paul would only grew by 2100 people. The Met Council is projecting a popu!a`u'�n increase of 44,160 people in St. Paul by 2030. Ther@ is a huge difference between what the Met Council is projecting and the actual St. Paui growth rate. Given this major discrepancy, it is unrealistic to base future plans on such flawed logic. I believe that St. Pa�l will grow b; more than 2100 people in the next hvo decades, but there is no way that we wiil gain 44,16Q people. 1 would predict a population increase somewhere beiween 10,000 and 15,000 people by 2030. Also, the housing that is planned is targeted toward one- and two-person houseb-olds, ar�d does little to atEraet famiAes wit#ehildren i�to Si. °aul. V�Je need to deveiop a plan ;o attrac, families �v ;h children to St. Paul or we will be a city without children. Your strategy #1, Target growth in uRique neighborhoods, doesn't go far enaugh in pratecting my estabiished neighborhaod, which is Hamiine Midway. 8ecause of the close proximity to the Central Corridor, this plan is to cram far too many peaple in high-rise, high-density "peopie warehouses" located along Universiry Avenue. The recently-adopted zoning rules for the Central Corridor Overlay flistrict allowthese high-density buildings to be built with na requirement to provide any . parking: In addition, University Avenue will Iose about 90% of the existing on-street parking to.the LRT line, aod there are no pfans to buifd any park and ride facilities fort"e LRT line. _This will creata a parking nightmare for our adjacent, single-family neighborhood. We want � our quality ot life to be preserved, but our own city government is trying to destroy it by not providing adequate parking for all these new people. , Gity planners, the Planning Commissio�, and the City Council mistakenly believe that the people who will live in this new housing won't r�eed cars because they will use �RT, everyone witl get to the businesses a(ong University Avenue via LRT, and the people coming in from the suburbs to ride LRT wiil use feeder buses. Ail three of these beliefs are wrong: Even peop[e who don't own cars will need parking places for their visiting friends and relatives in the new housing. Many businesses along University Avenue are not close enough to a station to � encourage people to walk there, and ifbustomers cannpt find cor�venient parking they will go elsewhere. Suburban commuters won't use feeder buses because af their perception that the buses are filled with unsavory people, so they will drive their cars 40 our neighborhood and 10117/2008) Penelope Simison - Testimony for Land U§e Plan Public Hearin •� ''•"•'• .. Pa�e 2� compete for parking with homeawners, business eustomers; and the new residents. This wiil bring unv,�anted traffic, noise, pollution, and overorowing to our neighhorhood. You must provide adequate parking i� the Central Corridor to allow our neighborhood to continue to furtction as it does now- as an established neighborhood. Your strategy #2, Provide land forjobs, states, "220 Seek state legislation to revise the limits placed on the use of eminent domain as a tocl for redevetopm�nt." The state piaced limits on use of eminer�t . domain for the reason thaf local govemments were using it in ways that violated private property rights. Local governments take land away from rigfitfui awners and give it to greedy developers. The owner who bses the land rarely receives compensation that rsplaces what is lost. Riaht now Yhe Gity ot S�: Paul's Port Aathority is trying to take away land from an existing successful business in order to.give it to some other developer, using contamination as the excuse. The landowner should have the right to work directly with the Minnesota Pollution Control Rgency and'other experts to mitigaie pollution to a level thaf ailows the owner fo confinue using fhe land for its c�rzent purpose. What is ne�, faking away peop;e's homes adjacent to ifie LRT line and giving the land to developers to builc� more people warehouses? Private landowners should not fear their own city taking away their land. If the market is good enough fior redevelopment, then developers will compefe with each other to offer high prices to landowners who can choose if they wish to sell. Eminent domain shouid only be used to acquire land for totaily public purposes that inY41v� inffastr�cture that is �s� hy atl citizens, not just 4o aei more tax income from a parcei. This section also has severai mentions of railroad corridors, but doesn't do anything to address tfie problem af the Buriington Northern yard in the �riidway area. The amount of freighi moved through fhe fiaciiiry has expioaed, causing major increases co unhealiny ieveis of - poliut�on ana no'ise. 7fie noise is a significa�Tssue�o� t�ie several �� - " � - - - - - - - --- - " - - - - - thousand people who live in hearing distance from the BY yard, because tne facility operates around the clock. People who live near this . facility cann.ot open their'windows for cooling their homes on pleasant summer nights because the noise from the yard is so loud that iY � interferes with sleep. Tfiese peopie run air conditioners at times when they shouldn't have to just to drown out the noise so they can sieep. . This is a waste of energy and it is unfair for these,people to have to' � pay to cooi their homes' because the train yard is so noisy. This plan shouid catt for the relocation of the BN operation. in the short term, the City should declare the noise emanating from the site as a public nuisance and a health hazard and'require the facility to shut down ' between 11 PIVI and 6 AM. ' Your strategy #3, Promote estfietics and development sfandards, uses the term "fine-yrained." What exactly does this mean? I picture a huge bag oYsand - there is no empty space between the grains. �ither provide a clear definition for this term or do not use it. Design standards for infill housing are 4ong overdue. Part of Yhose ' standards should prohibit plaGement of mobile homes as infill housing. In established neighborhoods where the average age of the housing is 50, 70, even 90 years old, it is inappropriate for someone to plaee a double-wide next door. That has happened in my neighborhood, and it 10/17/2008) Penelope Simison - Testimony for Land Use Plan Public Hearing Page 3, U� `�� undermines the character of the street and lowers the value of surzounding houses. Design standards that provide a transitiorr between single tamily homes and nearby taller buildings should clearly prohibit any new construction from casting shadows onto any porfion. of adjacent land. Homeowners should not have to change their landscaping and gardens because a new hiah-rise blocks sunliqht to their yards: Homeowners should be guaranteed no change in solar exposure to any portion of their property from any new commercial, mixed use, or multi-family building with 3 or more units. The biggest problem i see with this overall pian is that it encourages too much intense development close tothe established neighborMoods along University Avenue without doing enough to protect them. it assumes that far more peopie wili iive in St. Paut irt 2030 than wiil actually materialize, and assumes that most of them wili be one- or two-person households. St. Faui �eeds to attract more than just singles, empty-nesters, and seniors. We need families with children, and need a plan that wi{f make it happen. This one isn't it. Benifa Wams �4�8 6af�nd Avenae St.�PauI,MN 551Q4-2438 651-641-1037 , � METROP()LITAN AIRPORTS COMMTSSXON y DJy 5 � J Y 2� f 9 a `� x z YT � O t N O �� t9 t � G� � nirscOa January 30, 2009 Minneapalrs-Saint Paul lnternational Airport 6040 - 2Rfi Avenua Souih • Minntflp0lis. MN 55450-2799 Phonc(612)726-81D0 Emily Goodman Ciry of St. PauS Deparhnent of Pianning and Economic Develapment 1400 City Hall Annex 25 West 4'" Street St. Paul, MN 55102 Re: City qf St. Paul Long Term Comprehensive Plan Dear Ms. Goodman: �j-(9� The Metropolitan Airports Commission {MACj has reviewed the City of St. Paui draft L'fCP documenE daied October 10, 2008. We appreciate �e opportunity ia review the pfan, and ofFer the follawing comments: General: • There is no rea{ discussian on tYie relatfonship of the City to the iwo major airports in the Staie oi ivtinnesoia as ii ralaies to employment, tax revenue, or quaiity of life. Both the Minneapolis -- St. Paui �nYernational Airport (MSP) and the 5t. Paul Downtown Airport (STP) are a majDr sqUrce of eCOnomic developmerrt and q�al'ity of ]'rfe for the citizens ot St. Paul ' that is worth nofing more prominently in tfte Pfan. • In general, graphiGS that include the STP iocation do not tabel the properfy as "Airport.' • IE the City would like any spec�c graphlcs or pllotos of either airpoft, please iet us know. Land Use Pfan • Page 5 St�ategy 1: "Density and 2Chieving targeted growth": Understandably it is the desire of the City to achiave dense growth but as it relates to the new zoning ordinance for STP, the opposite will be true. The sensitivities of the 'devefopment along the Runway 14 approach should be noted in this discussion, as wefl as the minor zoning impacts from MSP on the �ecent and future plann�ng efforts for the redevelopmerrt of the Fard plant site. • Figure A: The land use for STP is not identified. It should be labeled as "Airport". • Figure G: The airport is not labeled as an employment area when if fact it employs a great number pf people both Civilian and military. Please change. • Page 32: tmpiemerrtation: 7here is �a discussion on the impactslsestrictions of the new zo7ing ordinance for fviSP on 3t. Paul, nor are thQ impacts of the proposed zoning ordinance planned for STP noted. The proposed zoning ordinance fDr $TP Will have a more di�ect in�luance on the type and de�sity of development under the Runway 10. approach due to restrictians on not only the type of development, the density but also the height of the sVUCtures_ Close coordination and discussions with the FAA and the Metropolitan Airports 'Ct.c Me¢vpolilan AlrpcxLS Com�nirninn i;e an �ffir.oative azhon cmployer www,sxpairpurtcam ' AclicvttAi�posls�, AlliL2.K8•APIOKA�(lt3tJTy/RT,niNq�C1iY5[AL`I�LY1N(:CWUD'LAKEELMO'SAiNTPAl1iTX1WNTOYVN Emily Goodman Jan�ary 30, 2009 Page 2 Commission wiii be critical to moving any development fonraacd, and City Planners and developers should be acutely aware of shis dynamic for this area. Transportation Plan • Page 17 Sirategy 4: 4.5 a: Note #hat the land use and height zoning regulations ordinance for MSP is in place and has been adopted by St Paul. . Page 17 8trategy 4: 4.5 b: The Noise Abatement pperations Plans are developed by the Metropolifan Airports Commission for MSP and STP; not by the Metropolitan Counc��- • Page 19 Strategy 4: q.5 e: The MAC Airport Develapment Departrnent should be included in this discussion and not�fication process with the FAA regardir.g potential intefferences or abstructions. ParkS and Rec P18n • Page 30 Appendix A� A graphic(s) showing the lacation shou(d be incfuded to ailow ihe teader to comment on the redevelopment and new development proj°Cts. Housing Ptan • General Comment: There is no discussion induded in this entire chapter on the impacts of the MSP or STP airpart zoning, or impacts retating to the noise contours in terms of housing building codes for affected neighborhoods. ImplementatiDn s?a�e 4 4ffCial Gontrols: There is no mention of adooting the proqosed airport zoning ordinance inr STP in this Zoning Ordinance discussion. We have the same camment for page B, O�ciai Controis. Thank you for the oppo�tunity to Comment on the LTCP doCUmenf. The St. Paul C7ownfown Airport is an important econoinic, recreation, and transportation asset to the Gity and the region. The MAC looks forward ta continue our woricing refationship with the Ciiy tnrough the airport zoning process to make future redevelopment as compatib[e as possibfe. If you have /any questions, please contact Bridget Rief, Assistant Director of Airside DeveloQment/at 612.725.8371 or via ema�� at bridoet:Yief(t�r mspmaaorg. Deputy,�xecu6ve Director, Planning & Environment pPilk c_ Bndget ftief, MAC Project file