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Right Track Sets New Record
On August 12th, 102 Saint Paul youths and young adults graduated from the City of Saint Paul's Right Track Program. I am so proud to be a part of building this program. It has been incredible to watch it grow from 21 students in 2013 to almost five times that two years later. Huge thank you to all the employers who participated. Click here to join us next year.
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Updating Outdated Liquor Laws
As we look to the future of Highland Village and the future Ford Site
development I am paying close attention to the availability of liquor licenses.
Each of the seven Wards in Saint Paul
has a certain number of liquor licenses allocated. Ward 3 has the lowest number with 7. This has
limited the types of restaurants that can open in our neighborhood. Without
available licenses we end up getting a proliferation of “fast-casual”
restaurants. As we look to the future we will want to ensure we also get our fair
share of dining options.
In addition to license allocations by ward, the City still has the
outdated “60/40” law on the books. It states that the legal definition of
restaurants is establishments that make their profits 60% through food sales
and 40% through alcohol sales. Saint Paul needs a new legal definition for
restaurants, and in the coming months I will work with the Department of Safety
and Inspections to start a public conversation about changing these laws. I am
cautiously optimistic that we can find a solution that supports our
neighborhood restaurants and avoids the proliferation of problem
establishments.
Residential Design Standards Update
As you may be
aware, last August I requested amendments be made to the residential design
study in the zoning code, and on July
22, 2015 they were unanimously adopted by the City Council. While
the study took longer than anticipated, I believe they have been fully vetted
by the neighborhood and the City’s Planning Commission.
The Planning
Commission recommended that about half of the zoning amendments be implemented
citywide with the remaining amendments implemented for Planning Districts 14
(Macalester Groveland) and 15 (Highland Park). A brief overview of the
recommended changes is below:
1. Require additions of 120 square feet
of floor area or greater to adhere to 10% window and door openings minimum.
(City‐wide)
2. Height reduction at side setback
lines for single‐family properties, increases allowed with larger setback.
(Districts 14 and 15)
3. Change in side setback requirement
for RM1‐RM3 multiple‐family zoning districts to 9 ft., consistent with existing
traditional building patterns in Saint Paul. (City‐wide)
4. Total maximum lot coverage – 45% for
all buildings, including principle and accessory structures (such as garages).
(Districts 14 and 15)
5. Sidewall articulation – required
for building faces longer than 35 ft. in length, at least 1 ft. in depth and 6
ft. in length. (Districts 14 and 15)
6. Exceptions for expansion in
nonconforming areas generally not visible from the street. (Citywide)
7. Additional
minor amendments. (City‐wide)
Click here for more
information about the changes which we expect them to take effect early
September. Thank you to everyone who provided
comments, attended the many meetings and testified before the
Planning Commission and the City Council.
 This summer I invited all previous Ward 3 City Councilmembers to lunch to reflect on the changes our ward has seen and talk about its future. Thanks to all those who could make it; Pat Harris, Bob Long and Len Levine.
As we work this fall on developing the City’s 2016 Budget I would love to
hear your thoughts about how to we can make our great city even better. Please
never hesitate to reach out to my office with your ideas or concerns- Ward3@ci.stpaul.mn.us
or (651) 266-8630.
Chris Tolbert
Saint Paul City Councilmember, Ward 3
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