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A packed agenda for the West St. Paul City Council included two redevelopment projects with the potential for a sit-down restaurant and a brewery/restaurant, a junior Council member proposal, charter amendments, assessment hearings, two business approvals, and more.
Former YMCA/Hy-Vee Redevelopment
During an Economic Development Authority (EDA) work session, city staff presented the latest preliminary concepts for the former YMCA/Hy-Vee redevelopment. These ideas will be shared at a public open house next week.
- What’s proposed: The plan hasn’t changed substantially from earlier proposals, which include more than 450 apartment units, townhouses, retail space, a sit-down restaurant, and community space.
- What’s new: City staff pitched a “front porch” concept where this public/private development would be used to create space for community gathering and connecting. They envision a multi-functional space with a number of elements that are still being determined (and this is where public input is especially helpful). Those elements could include shade components, public art, patio space (both small and larger spaces), play elements (for kids/adults/seniors), splash/water feature, and flexible parking. They also want to ensure it can work year-round.
- Timeline: The project is proposed in two phases, with phase one potentially happening 2024-2026 and phase two coming in 2027.
- Where it comes from: The idea for this space originates from the “town center” concept in the 2016 update to the Renaissance Plan.
- Why it works: Community Development Director Ben Boike noted that developers are interested in this project specifically because of the recent increase in market rate apartments in the city that make restaurants and retail more viable.
The EDA also approved an amendment to the preliminary development agreement that brings the former AutoZone property back into the project (that parcel had been pulled out for a separate project, which fell through).
Brewery & Restaurant
The EDA also approved an exclusive rights agreement with Lavelle Investments LLC for the redevelopment of the city-owned property at 1619 Oakdale.
- Plan: A proposed brewery and restaurant from an existing brewery that wants to expand.
- Timeline: The agreement gives Lavelle six months to perform due diligence on the project and work toward a purchase agreement.
- Site history: The location of a former home damaged by fire, this property had previously been slated for a project with Clutch Brewery Company, but that deal never came together.
Junior Council
During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council discussed the idea of adding a non-voting, student member to City Council.
- Why: The goal is to encourage greater youth participation in city government.
- Who: The program would be open to high school students 16 or older. They would likely be chosen by schools, with potential to rotate between the city’s public and private schools.
- Source: It’s based on a program started in Centerville in 2021.
Other Items on the Agenda:
- Challenge: Mayor Dave Napier announced a Men Wear Pink challenge he’s competing in to raise money for breast cancer research. He’s raised over $1,100 toward a $2,500 goal. On Wednesday, October 25 he’ll be attempting field goals at the sports dome in a competition with the mayors of Rosemount and Farmington.
- CUPs: Council approved two conditional use permits (CUPs) for Eco Chico, a new kids’ clothing resale boutique in Signal Hills, and Cherokee Dental, which is moving to 34 Moreland Ave. When asked about the future of the existing location on Annapolis, Cherokee Dental owner Joshua Vang said they’re hoping to invest in the community and redevelop the site.
- Assessments: Two public hearings were held for assessments for administrative citations and miscellaneous charges. One item was continued to the next meeting to accommodate a property owner who was out of town, otherwise no one spoke during the public hearings and all other items were approved.
- Fee schedule: Staff presented the 2024 fee schedule to Council, highlighting a number of increases due to rising costs. Since a public hearing is required, but it wasn’t listed on the agenda as a public hearing, Council opted to continue the item to the next meeting to give the public more opportunity to speak. Council Member Pat Armon wanted to see increases for garbage hauler licenses and raised concerns about increases to the pool fees, which haven’t been raised since 2010. Council Member Robyn Gulley expressed concern about the rising cost of rental fees for the neighborhood center at Harmon Park.
- Charter: The Charter Commission approved two amendments to the city charter, which came before Council tonight for initial consideration. The first measure modifies a measure regarding initiatives and referendums to come in line with a recent Supreme Court decision. In effect, when someone is gathering signatures for an initiative or referendum petition, an organization is allowed to pay the person gathering signatures. However, Charter Commission crafted the change to ensure that people signing the petition cannot be paid for signing. The second measure gives Council authority to authorize expenditures, filling a potential gray area.
- Alley: First heard at a meeting on September 11, Council approved vacating an unused alley between Butler Avenue and Stanley Street. No one spoke public hearing during the public hearing.
- Personnel policy: During the OCWS, City Manager Nate Burkett gave an overview of changes to an updated personnel policy. Changes include streamlining (cutting from 200 to 120 pages) and formalizing existing practice into policy.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, EDA, and EDA work session meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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