St. Paul council adopts one-year moratorium on zoning applications for sober houses and supportive housing

The St. Paul City Council on Aug. 6 adopted a resolution placing an immediate, one-year moratorium on applications and appeals to establish sober houses and supportive housing facilities in the city, ordering a planning study on how such uses should be regulated.

The moratorium and associated “bridge” resolution were introduced by Daniel Staley, Assistant St. Paul City Attorney, who told the council staff had seen a substantial rise in applications seeking variances to convert sober houses into supportive housing facilities and recommended pausing new and pending applications while the Planning Commission conducts a study. Staley said the study may take up to one year and the moratorium can be shortened if the commission and council adopt recommendations sooner.

The council adopted the resolution by roll call with five in favor and none opposed. The resolution places interim ordinance No. 2547 into effect immediately so the moratorium takes effect on passage, rather than waiting the typical two-month interim ordinance procedure.

Why it matters: council members and city staff said the increase in…