West St. Paul City Council Preview: April 10, 2023

Thanks to Mississippi Valley Montessori School for their support. They’re scheduling tours for the 2023-24 school year! Email info@mvmontessori.org for more information.

A long-awaited discussion on potential changes to the sign code will come before West St. Paul City Council. Other topics include a Planning Commission appointment, a resolution supporting No Mow May, and a public hearing for 2023 road project assessments.

Sign Code Changes

After a long delay, City Council will get the first look at changes to the sign ordinance during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS). A number of changes are being considered to be less restrictive, including:

• Allowing non-commercial murals in commercial districts.
• Changing temporary yard sign restrictions from limiting the number of signs to limit on the total square footage of all signs. Staff is suggesting a maximum of 10 square feet.
• Allowing signs, banners, or flags to be affixed to fences (but not painted on fences). These signs will still fall under the maximum square footage rule.

This is just a preliminary conversation and actual ordinance changes will come in a future meeting.

Other Items on the Agenda

• Appointment: Mayor Dave Napier will appoint Nathan Gallus of Ward 2 to Planning Commission, filling a vacancy and maintaining relative ward balance.
• 2023 road projects: There will be a public hearing for assessments for 2023 road construction. There are mill and overlay projects on a few different streets.
• No Mow May: Council will approve a resolution supporting No Mow May for the third year.
• Parks: Improvements to Marthaler Park that were put off in previous years will move forward as Council approves the contractor.
• Exterior grant: The Economic Development Authority (EDA) will meet to consider a $10,000 exterior improvement grant for the Lehner Law Office building at 816 Dodd Road.
• Strategic planning: Council will review the initiatives that came out of the recent strategic planning session during the OCWS.

The public can watch the meeting live on Town Square TV or cable TV starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday (5:30 p.m. for the EDA meeting).

Learn more about how city council works with our Guide to West St. Paul City Council.

West St. Paul Reader provides neighborhood news supported by neighbors. Become a member today.