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Council approves rezoning at 470 White Bear Ave N to allow medium‑density housing
Summary
The St. Paul City Council rezoned 470 White Bear Avenue North from H2 to RM2 (medium‑density multifamily), approving the developer's application after councilmember Johnson emphasized expanded community engagement and staff findings that the change did not constitute illegal spot zoning.
The St. Paul City Council voted to rezone 470 White Bear Avenue North from H2 residential to RM2 medium‑density multiple‑family residential, approving Ordinance 24‑33. Councilmember Johnson, who moved the measure, framed the action as a land‑use decision narrowly limited to zoning and promised additional local outreach to address residents' concerns.
"Today the council decision that's in front of us is to rezone 470 White Bear from an H2 residential district to an RM2 medium density multifamily residential district," Johnson said, adding that she had worked with city attorneys and staff to review legal and technical issues raised in public comments. She also committed to holding in‑person community meetings within 90 days to supplement the developer's engagement plan now on the public record.
The vote followed at least two public hearings and substantial written comment. Council staff and planning attorneys told the council that the rezoning does not appear to be illegal spot zoning. "Planning staff and city attorneys found that this area is both surrounded by medium density and residential zoning that that's actually appropriate for this area," Johnson said. Staff also confirmed applicable conditional‑use and separation requirements for supportive housing uses were met for the site.
Supporters, including the project sponsor and several council members, framed the change as consistent with the city's 2040 comprehensive plan goals to increase housing along transit corridors; opponents raised concerns about neighborhood fit, community engagement, and building scale. Councilmember Naker thanked Johnson and noted the HRA and district council review that led to final numbers incorporated after publication.
The ordinance was adopted unanimously (6–0). Council members said the vote applies only to the zoning map amendment; any future site plans, building permits or conditional‑use reviews will follow separate public processes and are subject to plan, design and code review.
The council recorded no related amendment to development approvals today; members emphasized continued community engagement and design review as next steps.
