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West St. Paul’s City Council approved ordinances requiring bike parking, allowing solar carports, and abatement of 1331 Calumet. They also discussed Explore West St. Paul Days, racial covenants, absentee voting and more.
Required Bike Parking
City Council passed the first reading of 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.
- Council also made a small tweak to the minimum requirements, making them more consistent.
1331 Calumet Abatement
Council approved 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 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.
- These processes always take a long time and staff estimated a minimum of four months before they could demolish the home.
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. Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow solar carports in all zoning districts as a conditional use.
- A stipulation limiting the carports to 30% coverage of parking got pushback. 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.
- Council passed the ordinance with the 30% coverage, but staff said they could make changes for the second reading and there seemed to be plenty of support.
Racial Covenants
With news of racial covenants discovered in more than 40 West St. Paul properties, Just Deeds gave a presentation during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS). City staff will explore joining the Just Deeds coalition and potentially allow homeowners to discharge covenants through the city attorney.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Explore West St. Paul Days: During OCWS, staff presented on this year’s Explore West St. Paul Days events and looked ahead to next year. Potential changes include adding a large tent at the Sports Complex for concerts, music and/or performances during the Art and Environmental Fair, and additional funding for art. City Council was grateful for the businesses that were engaged and hopes to see more of that next year.
- Absentee voting: Dakota County is working with local municipalities to centralize the processing of absentee ballots. During OCWS, Council discussed the proposed agreement and approved it during the consent agenda of the regular meeting.
- Exterior grant: The Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved an exterior grant for Chin Chin’s 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 covers half.
- Volunteer: Council appointed Analiese Miller as the West St. Paul representative to the Lower Mississippi Watershed District Board.
- 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 continued to the September 25 EDA meeting as the city and the developer could not agree on terms.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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