Planning commission recommends allowing public parks in B6 town‑center zoning

The West Saint Paul Planning Commission voted Aug. 19 to recommend an amendment to the zoning code that would allow public parks and playgrounds as permitted uses in the B6 Town Center Mixed Use district.

Planner Melissa (staff) told the commission that parks and playgrounds are currently permitted mainly in lower‑density residential districts and that the change would allow the city to implement its town‑center vision by explicitly authorizing city‑owned parkland inside B6. “Public gathering spaces, and in this case parkland, is an integral part of that community town center feel,” Melissa said during her brief presentation.

Why it matters: The ordinance change is procedural but significant: permitting parks in B6 reduces an extra regulatory hurdle for projects that include public open space in the town center. Staff said that larger park features that include structures such as restrooms or a pavilion would still trigger site‑plan review. The Planning Commission forwarded the recommended ordinance to the City Council for final action.

Vote and next steps The Planning Commission approved the code amendment by unanimous vote. The item will be scheduled for City Council consideration in early September; staff noted that the change would support the park element of the 150 Thompson redevelopment if the council adopts the rezoning and land‑use approvals.

Public comment No members of the public addressed the amendment specifically during the hearing; public comment on the overall redevelopment project did raise park safety and access questions that staff said would be addressed during the park design process.