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City Council approved parking changes, cannabis ordinances, a tattoo and liquor license, the first reading of a zoning change for a proposed apartment, and a commercial exterior improvement grant.
212 Thompson Rezoning
City Council unanimously approved the first reading of a rezoning change for the proposed 212 Thompson apartments.
- While it’s currently zoned for single-family homes, the city’s long-term planning documents say it should be zoned mixed use, which includes multi-family apartments. Those planning documents take precedence, so there’s not much room to deny.
- Planning Commission voted 7-1 to approve the zoning change. Two residents spoke during the public hearing.
- The project does still require tax credits, which have not yet been approved by the Dakota County CDA.
- The zoning change requires two readings, so it will come back on December 9 along with several other measures for this project. While Council Member Pat Armon voted yes on the first reading, he noted he’s unsure about this project and asked for input from Ward 1 residents.
Parking Changes
City Council approved the first reading of changes to parking requirements that simplify and clean up the code, as well as reducing requirements for some restaurants in the hopes of making it easier for new restaurants to come to town. Planning Commission approved the measure unanimously.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Budget: During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council reviewed the final 2025 budget and property tax levy one more time before it’s officially approved on December 9. There aren’t major changes to the budget compared to previous years and City Manager Nate Burkett noted how property tax increases over the last several years have lagged behind both the state average and other Dakota County cities.
- Affordable housing: Also during OCWS, Burkett briefed Council on a new affordable housing tax credit known as 4D(1) that can redirect a portion of property tax payments for qualifying multi-family buildings to rental assitance and building maintenance.
- Cannabis: With marijuana sales becoming legal on the first of the year, Council held a public hearing where no one spoke and passed a series of ordinances.
- CUPs: Council approved two conditional use permits (CUPs), one for a tattoo establishment at Sola Salon and one for an liquor license at a proposed new restaurant.
- Exterior grant: The Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a $10,000 commercial exterior grant for a mortgage business at 985 Smith Avenue.
- Closed session: Council had a closed session for two items, labor negotiation and the city manager’s performance review.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online. You can also watch the video recap from Council Members Robyn Gulley and John Justen.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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