North St. Paul council approves zoning text amendments, opens MU2 district to multi‑family housing by PUD

The North St. Paul City Council voted to adopt zoning ordinance text amendments that clarify residential definitions and adjust mixed‑use district language, council members said at a regular meeting.

Community Development Director Ken Roberts told the council the update harmonizes the city code with the Minnesota building code and state statutes and the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan. Changes clarify terms for single‑family dwellings, townhouse/twin homes, and multi‑family dwellings and rename district designations (for example, from “downtown core district” to “downtown mixed‑use district”). Roberts said the most substantive change adds multiple‑family residential as a potential use in the MU2 district if approved through a PUD by the city council, noting the intent is to “encourage development and redevelopment that will maintain a sense of the city’s heritage.”

The planning commission reviewed the proposals in October and November and recommended approval, Roberts said. Council members said the amendments are meant to remove ambiguity and create more predictable rules for builders and residents.

Council member Woods moved adoption and Council member McKenzie seconded the motion. The ordinance passed on a voice vote; Mayor Maggi and the two council members present voted in favor.

Why it matters: allowing multi‑family development in MU2 by PUD creates a pathway for additional residential projects in areas previously limited to lower‑density uses, potentially affecting housing availability and the character of commercial corridors. Roberts said MU2 additions will be limited and tied to PUD approvals, which require detailed site plans and council review.

What comes next: the ordinance as adopted will be applied in future planning reviews; developers seeking multi‑family projects in MU2 would proceed through the PUD process and the council would evaluate each proposal on its merits.