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Several items will come before the West St. Paul City Council, including required bike parking, solar carports, 1331 Calumet abatement, racial covenants, and more.
Required Bike Parking
City Council will consider an ordinance to require bike parking at new developments and reconstructions, as recommended in the Bike & Pedestrian Plan.
- The proposed ordinance was approved unanimously by Planning Commission, with three members of the public speaking in support of the proposal during the public hearing and also offering suggestions for improvement.
- Several of those suggestions were incorporated into the language, including distance around a bike rack, keeping it clear, and standardizing the type of bike rack allowed.
1331 Calumet Abatement
The city is starting an abatement procedure to demolish a home at 1331 Calumet Avenue for “various public health and safety concerns and nuisance and hazardous conditions.”
- The roof has collapsed and exposed the interior to the elements for several years.
- The city has issued 17 citations and levied $30,000 in fines. The home also has more than $46,000 in unpaid property taxes.
- The owner, James Keller, has not responded to any of the city’s communications.
Solar Carport
Dakota County has state funding to add a solar carport to the Northern Service Center and the city wants to modify ordinances to better accommodate solar projects like this. The proposed ordinance would allow solar carports in all zoning districts as a conditional use with a maximum of 30% coverage.
- That restriction on coverage became a sticking point. The measure passed Planning Commission on a 5-3 vote, with the three ‘no’ votes in favor of the ordinance but wanting less restriction on coverage.
Racial Covenants
With news of racial covenants discovered in more than 40 West St. Paul properties, Just Deeds will give a presentation during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS). Council will consider options to help homeowners discharge the racist language in property records. These racial covenants are unenforceable and illegal, but still exist.
Other Items on the Agenda:
- Explore West St. Paul Days: During OCWS, staff will present on this year’s Explore West St. Paul Days events and look ahead to next year. Potential changes include adding tent for concerts, music and/or performances during the Art and Environmental Fair, and additional funding for art.
- Absentee voting: Dakota County is working with local municipalities to centralize the processing of absentee ballots. During OCWS, Council will discuss the proposed agreement.
- Exterior grant: Chin Chin’s is applying for an exterior improvement grant for a new awning for their restaurant and the liquor store next door (which was installed last week). The total project cost is $12,985 and the city grant will cover half.
- No development progress: For those waiting for more redevelopment in the city, a purchase agreement for the former AutoZone was on the agenda but was tabled as the city and the developer could not agree on terms.
Engage
Watch: The public can watch the meeting live on Town Square TV or cable TV starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday (5:30 for the OCWS).
Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
We believe in government transparency and provide these West St. Paul City Council previews with the support of our members.
