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Planning Commission backs zoning text amendments, including downtown facade language, for council review
Summary
The commission recommended the City Council approve three sets of zoning text amendments — definitions, use-table revisions, and downtown overlay/design updates — with a correction to the facade percentage; the package will go to council on Feb. 17.
The North St. Paul Planning Commission on Feb. 5 recommended that the City Council consider a package of zoning ordinance text amendments that would add three definitions, revise use-table entries and references, and codify parts of the downtown design manual into the zoning code.
City staff described three sections of proposed changes: (1) adding definitions such as "bay" and "fenestration," (2) edits to Table 3 (use districts) — including clarifying manufactured-home parks versus modular homes and removing hospitals from the R-1 table entries — and (3) updates to the downtown overlay and design language addressing façades and materials. Staff said many of the downtown changes were drawn from the existing downtown design manual and were being codified so they remain in force even if the manual changes.
Commission discussion focused on facade-material requirements in the downtown overlay. Commissioners recalled prior discussion about changing a 100% brick-or-stone requirement for visible façades to a lower threshold; during the meeting participants referenced changing the requirement to roughly 70%–75% for some categories. Staff agreed to make the correction in the draft code language to reflect the commission’s consensus.
There were no public comments during the hearing. Commissioner Muick moved, Commissioner Gabboy seconded, and the commission voted to recommend approval of the amendments to the City Council with the noted correction. The package will be presented to council on Feb. 17 for final action.
