Neighbors split as council keeps rezoning for 470 White Bear Ave under consideration

Saint Paschal Baylon Church and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative urged the City Council to approve rezoning at 470 White Bear Avenue North to allow construction of a mixed-income affordable housing project called the Aragon, while multiple neighbors urged caution and additional outreach.

Supporters: Father John Mitchell, pastor of St. Paschal Baylon Church, said the church owns the site and supports selling it to Beacon to build affordable housing for working families, seniors and people on fixed incomes. Beacon representatives described a proposal of roughly 50-plus units with targeted affordability and supportive services; neighbors and congregations spoke in favor citing housing need.

Opponents: Several nearby residents and long-term parishioners raised legal and procedural objections, calling the rezoning "spot zoning" and citing concerns about proximity to two elementary schools and impacts on neighborhood character. Some speakers presented petitions and questioned whether adequate neighborhood outreach occurred.

Council action: After receiving extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, Councilmember Johnson moved to keep the public hearing open and lay the matter over to Dec. 4 to allow more time for public engagement and submission of written comments; the motion passed without opposition.

Next steps: Planning staff will accept further written comments and the planning commission will consider related conditional-use and zoning steps; the council will revisit the matter after additional outreach and any required planning actions.