The St. Paul Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is set to hold a public hearing filled with big agenda items, including requests for major variances on existing zoning codes. According to a recent agenda release from the Board, the meeting will discuss various proposals, some of which involve establishing new supportive housing facilities in areas previously restricted by zoning laws.
The big item appears to be Xcel Energy's request to raise an existing cellular antenna that overshoots the maximum permitted height by 18 feet. On the social front, multiple applicants are proposing to build supportive housing facilities that edge towards, or in some cases, are a mere stone's throw from other large congregate living spaces. Proposals like these often trigger debate, balancing community concerns with the need for additional supportive housing services.
For those with stakes in these developments or interests in the future layout of St. Paul's cityscape, the BZA is accepting public comments ahead of the hearing. The deadline for submission is Friday at 2:00 p.m. However, only submissions including the contributor's name and residential address will make it into the public record, ensuring a level of accountability and transparency in the civic process.
The proposals include a 140-foot-tall cell tower on Charles Avenue, supportive housing on Lincoln Avenue that falls 321 feet short of required zoning distances, and a revamp of a Daly Street building to host 22 residents, six more than currently allowed by zoning for that district. Reflecting the challenges cities face in addressing housing needs, these variances represent a push beyond present constraints, seeking solutions in height and breadth.
