Latest Update

On May 16, 2025, the Planning Commission released the T District Zoning Study for public review.

Please review the proposed Zoning Code text amendments and send your written testimony to Spencer.Miller-Johnson@stpaul.gov by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025. Review these prompts to help guide your review. Verbal testimony will be accepted during the Planning Commission public hearing on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Background

Traditional Neighborhood (T) Zoning Districts are widely used throughout Saint Paul, especially along transit corridors and at major intersections. First adopted in 2004, T Districts are intended to:

  • Encourage compact mixed-use development
  • Improve walkability at nodes and along corridors
  • Permit dense development to support transit ridership

The T Districts allow flexibility for mixed land uses and include development and design standards to create pedestrian-oriented places. There are four T Districts: T1, T2, T3, and T4. T1 is the least intense by allowing smaller-scale neighborhood serving uses and T4 is the most intense by allowing tall building heights and a wide range of land uses. Amendments and rezonings to T2, T3, and T4 occurred in 2011 as part of a Zoning Study of the Central Corridor along University Avenue.

Overview of Zoning Study

The 2040 Comprehensive Plan supports new affordable housing and compact, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development with flexibility to respond to changing conditions and opportunities. The proposed amendments to the Zoning Code offer an opportunity to better align the four T Districts with Comprehensive Plan goals and policies, and streamline standards and regulations consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s implementation chapter and Minnesota State Law.

The goals of the amendments are to:

  • Increase development flexibility and provide opportunities for greater intensity
  • Improve predictability related to design
  • Create incentives for affordable housing

The scope of the study does not include rezoning property.

Study Area

The T Districts are highlighted in orange on the map. For more details and information, view the Zoning Map.

T Districts Study Area Map - updated January 16, 2025

Timeline

The table below shows major dates and links to relevant information. Dates are subject to change.

DateBody/ActivityAction
March 4, 2022Planning Commission

Initiate zoning study

Spring 2022 - Winter 2025Research and draft text amendments informed by outreach 
April 2 and April 16, 2025Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee

Review and analyze proposed amendments

May 16, 2025Planning CommissionRelease study memo for public review and comment
May - June 2025Community engagement events during public review periodVirtual informational sessions: May 13 & 14 (view recording)
July 11, 2025Planning Commission

Public hearing

Written testimony can be sent to Spencer.Miller-Johnson@stpaul.gov by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025. Verbal testimony will be accepted during the Planning Commission public hearing.

Last Edited: May 21, 2025