Staff asks planning commission to study rezoning along 7th Avenue to reflect existing single‑family homes

Planning staff asked the North St. Paul Planning Commission on June 5 to study amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning map for several parcels north and south of 7th Avenue where the written future‑land‑use designation conflicts with existing single‑family development.

At the commission meeting, Mr. Roberts, speaking for city staff, outlined that earlier code updates left some parcels designated corridor mixed use or high density in the comprehensive plan while the zoning in place (MU3) did not allow single‑family dwellings. He said the inconsistency leaves many existing houses as legal nonconforming uses and can limit routine repairs or modest additions. "Staff is proposing . . . changing the future land‑use designation to a medium‑density residential and rezoning those parcels to R2 so single‑family homes would be permitted uses," Mr. Roberts said.

Commissioners asked whether the change would enable larger redevelopment if parcels were aggregated and whether parks or other civic uses would be affected. Mr. Roberts said redevelopments would still require the usual comprehensive‑plan and rezoning review and that the R2 designation would permit townhouses and modest increases in density but would not automatically authorize large apartment towers. Several commissioners said the practical effect would be to reduce the number of legal nonconforming homes and to give owners clearer options for modest improvements.

No formal motion or vote was taken at the meeting. Mr. Roberts said that, if at least four commissioners signal support, staff will prepare formal ordinance language and schedule a public hearing and mailed notice as required for land‑use map changes.

The commission asked staff to return with ordinance language and maps for a public hearing; the item remains at the study and referral stage.