The St. Paul Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) will be holding a public hearing that promises to tackle several major development proposals, as noted in the agenda released on December 5th. The session, set for Monday, includes discussions on two projects by Ryan Companies US, Inc. and another by 1156 Lincoln, LLC, which are seeking permission for construction that doesn't align with current zoning guidelines.
The applicant for the first item on the agenda, 1156 Lincoln, LLC, has put forth a plan to replace a duplex with a triplex at 1156 Lincoln Avenue. This new construction poses a deviation from standard zoning practices as it introduces attached garages accessed via Dunlap Street instead of an alley, requiring a major variance. In line with public engagement, the BZA has requested that those with opinions on the matter submit their comments by 2:00 P.M. by Friday, ensuring their input is considered during the review.
Similarly ambitious, Ryan Companies US, Inc. is presenting a proposal for a mixed-use development at 2200 Ford Parkway. The planned project includes both commercial and residential spaces but would necessitate variances for several zoning regulations concerning floor area ratios, building heights, lot coverage, and transparency glazing percentages. Notably, this project is requesting thirteen variances to meet its design goals.
An additional proposal from Ryan Companies US, Inc. pertains to a new commercial structure on a property located at 0 Cretin Avenue South. The development’s current design calls for six variances, but the structure would fall short of the minimum requirements for height, area transparency, and floor area ratio as dictated by the Ford Site Zoning and Public Realm Master Plan Design Standards.
Following these discussions, the BZA meeting will conclude with the review of October and November meeting minutes and then adjourn. As the Board considers these significant variances, the outcome of the public hearing will shape the future build-out of St. Paul's urban landscape. Community members interested in the proceedings will find the details of the public hearing on the BZA’s official site.
