The St. Paul City Council voted 6-0 to grant a motion of intent to rezone parts of the Hamm's Brewery site, a step that allows the city to introduce an ordinance changing zoning on five parcels from I‑2 (general industrial) to T‑3 (traditional neighborhood) and begin the formal ordinance process.

The zoning change endorsed by the council would enable a redevelopment plan led by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and a tentative developer team to build roughly 196 housing units (a mix of new construction and conversions), on‑site structured parking, and commercial space intended to support neighborhood businesses while preserving historic brewery buildings. Nicole Newton, director of Planning and Economic Development and executive director of the HRA, told the council that “the site has been a priority redevelopment site for the HRA in order to create much needed housing, tax based jobs, and additional residents to support neighborhood businesses.”

Why it matters: the Hamm’s complex has been vacant in part since the late 1990s and has been identified in multiple planning documents as a Mixed‑Use Opportunity Site. Redevelopment backers say the project will provide deeply needed housing and catalytic investment in the East Side; opponents say the plan risks loss of parking, threatens existing businesses and amounts to illegal spot zoning.

Public hearing and arguments
A large and often emotional public hearing filled the council chamber. Supporters included representatives of the tentative developer (JB Vang Partners), community organizations and neighborhood councils. Ashley Visner, speaking for the tentative developer, said the project would link to the Bruce Vento regional trail, add open space and bring nearly 200 new housing units to the East Side.

Opposition focused on potential impacts to existing businesses (notably Saint Paul Brewing and nearby entrepreneurs) and legal concerns about spot zoning. Rob Clapp, owner of Saint Paul Brewing, said the project as currently designed would “kill those businesses” by eliminating parking and failing to prioritize reuse of the brewery buildings. Attorney Mike Kalpa, representing property owners at the site, told the council the requested rezoning “is illegal spot zoning.” Planning staff noted the Planning Commission recommended denial for two of the five parcels (parcels 3 and 4) while three district councils formally supported the rezonings.

Council discussion and vote
Council President Johnson framed the council’s action narrowly: the motion before members was a procedural motion of intent to introduce the rezoning ordinance, not a final development approval. Johnson said the intent vote starts the formal ordinance process and gives staff and council time to continue working with stakeholders. After discussion, the council approved the motion of intent by roll call, 6‑0 (Bowie, Johnson, Jost, Provodzinski, Yang and Vice President Kim voting aye).

What happens next
A motion of intent allows the city to introduce a rezoning ordinance and move it through required subsequent readings and hearings. Council members and staff emphasized the rezone does not itself approve a final development plan; future approvals — including site plan and any development agreements — will follow additional public processes. Supporters said the project already has multiple competitive funding commitments totaling millions of dollars; opponents urged more time to negotiate protections for existing businesses and parking.

Quotes
“The site has been a priority redevelopment site for the HRA in order to create much needed housing, tax based jobs, and additional residents to support neighborhood businesses,” Nicole Newton said during the council presentation.

“This is illegal spot zoning,” attorney Mike Kalpa told the council during public testimony.

“This vote today is solely to make a motion for intent on the rezoning,” Council President Melvin Johnson said, noting further steps and public reviews would follow.

Ending
The Rezoning motion of intent passed 6‑0. Council members said they expect continued community engagement as the ordinance moves forward and as developers refine site plans and financing. The item will return in ordinance form for subsequent readings and public input as it moves through the council process.