Zoning Studies
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The Saint Paul City Council initiated a zoning study to evaluate zoning definitions and standards for Sober Houses, Supportive Housing, and connected congregate living regulations. After holding a public hearing and considering public testimony, the Planning Commission made their recommendation to the City Council for zoning code amendments. Now, the City Council will hold a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. on a date to be determined (rescheduled from Wednesday March 11, 2026) to consider the amendments. Please see the notice for public hearing details and the Planning Commission-recommended amendments. See also the memo to the Planning Commission for more background information.
Questions to Bill.Dermody@stpaul.gov or 651-266-6617.
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The Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) was designated by Governor’s Executive Order in the 1970's to provide coordinated land planning and regulation for the 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River through the seven-county metropolitan area.
Governor’s Executive Order 79-19 required local units of government to adopt local plans and regulations for the MRCCA based on standards and guidelines it provided to preserve and enhance the natural, aesthetic, economic, recreational, cultural and historical values of the corridor, including providing for continuation and development of a variety of urban uses where appropriate and protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
The draft local ordinance would replace the existing River Corridor Overlay Districts chapter of the Saint Paul Zoning Code and move the newer, 2010-era floodplain management ordinance based on FEMA flood insurance requirements back into the Zoning Code.
Major Redevelopments
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The Ford Site is 135 acres of land along the Mississippi River and the former home of Ford Motor Companies' Twin Cities Assembly Plant. After closure, the City of Saint Paul and multiple partners spent a decade engaging with the community, studying environmental impacts, and approving a final plan for the site's redevelopment. Ryan Companies, as master developer of the site, is executing the City's plan of a new connected, livable, mixed-use neighborhood with clean technologies and high-quality design for energy, buildings, and infrastructure. It will be woven into the existing community; support walking, biking, and transit; and provide services, jobs, and activities that every generation can enjoy.
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The Hillcrest Master Plan will determine future land uses and a new street network for the 112-acre former golf course on Saint Paul’s East Side. In 2019, the Saint Paul City Council approved bonds for the Saint Paul Port Authority to purchase the site. The Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) has led the master plan process, in collaboration with community members, consultants, and the Port Authority. Community engagement throughout the process has outlined how to build opportunity and community wealth on the redeveloped Hillcrest site – bringing more housing, jobs, and public amenities.
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Minnesota United FC, a North American Soccer League team, constructed a 20,000 seat major league soccer (MLS) stadium at I-94 and Snelling Avenue, as part of a planned and coordinated redevelopment of the entire 34.5 acre site that also includes the Midway Shopping Center (property owned by private landowner RK Midway). The goal is to create a new urban village surrounding the stadium that includes retail, office, residential and public open space uses, recognizing that this development will take place in phases over time.