Council denies appeal of BZA denial for proposed 10‑foot fence at state property

The Saint Paul City Council considered an appeal by the Minnesota Department of Administration of a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) denial that would have allowed construction of a 10‑foot security fence adjacent to Phelan Boulevard and Barclay Street. Council Member Yang moved to deny the appeal, arguing that the BZA’s findings contained errors and that the proposed fence—10 feet tall with outward‑curving trident blades—would alter the essential character of the surrounding residential neighborhood and would be “threatening.”

Council President dissented in part, saying the BZA’s process contained procedural concerns and that landscaping could screen the fence and meet code standards; the president emphasized that upholding or overturning a BZA decision requires demonstration of specific errors in findings. After discussion and clarification on what a vote for denial would mean procedurally (a separate motion would be needed to grant the appeal), the council conducted a roll call. The motion to deny the appeal carried 5 in favor, 1 opposed (Council President), and the appeal was denied, meaning the applicant would not be permitted to build the taller fence under the current standards.

Council members urged the BZA and applicant to explore alternative security measures consistent with zoning, comprehensive plan policies and neighborhood character.

Next steps: the applicant remains subject to the code’s fence height limits unless a new motion to grant the appeal is made and passed in a future hearing or a revised application is submitted.