Macalester College rezoning moves to second reading; council approves city property disposition

City planning staff gave the council a report on a Macalester College proposal that would rezone multiple parcels on and near Grand Avenue to accommodate a new welcome center, a residence hall with 224 beds, and a relocated parking lot.

Katie Dadless, planning staff, said the college seeks to rezone property at 1655 and 1661 Grand Avenue and 37 McAllister Street from T2 (traditional neighborhood) to RM1 (multifamily residential) and to rezone property at 53 and 57 McAllister Street from T2 to VP (vehicular parking). Dadless told the council the requested RM1 zoning would transition between the existing T2 district along Grand Avenue and the H2 zoning used across most of the campus and that the plan is consistent with the city’s comprehensive land-use guidance for mixed use and higher density near transit.

Dadless said the site currently holds a surface parking lot and a small campus building and that the proposed relocation of the parking lot on the south side would provide about 22 stalls and a small pocket park. She recommended approval of the rezoning and noted the Macalester Grove community council had supported the request and five written letters of support had been received. The ordinance was laid over for second reading and public hearing on Jan. 15.

Separately, during the same meeting the council opened a public hearing on Item 35, authorizing the disposition of city-owned property to Macalester College. No members of the public spoke; Council Member Jost moved to close the hearing and approve the resolution. The council adopted the resolution 7–0.

Both matters will return to the council: the rezoning for second reading/public hearing and the property-disposition resolution is now adopted.