Macalester-Groveland Demo Update

In our email box this morning from Councilmember Tolbert's office:

You are receiving this email because some time over the past six months you have contacted the Ward 3 office about “tear downs” and the new residential construction in our neighborhood. As most of you know, to combat some of the construction-related issues, Councilmember Tolbert passed an ordinance requiring all residential, exterior construction projects costing over $25,000 complete a Construction Management Agreement prior to construction. This Agreement reiterates the current Saint Paul City Ordinances and Minnesota State Building Codes that govern residential construction. Prior to construction the Agreement must be signed by both the contractor and the property owner. It must then be distributed to all neighbors on the block in question and the block face across the street. The Agreement requires that the contractor's contact information be included in the Agreement for all neighbors to have access to, and be posted on a sign in front of the property. In addition to the Construction Management Agreement, the Councilmember passed several ordinances that tighten up dumpster regulations.  The new legislation requires dumpster haulers to be licensed, adds a sliding scale to dumpster permit fees (the longer they sit on the street, the more the contractor will need to pay per day), and creates new safety signage for dumpsters.

The other concern we have heard the most is about the size and density of these new homes. In August, Councilmember Tolbert directed the City’s Planning and Economic Development department to conduct a study of these new homes and examine what zoning changes could be put in place to ease the impact on neighboring properties, while still allowing neighbors to invest in their dream homes. Mike Richardson, the city planner in charge of the study, has already been hard at work doing background research, visiting and photographing homes and examining heights and densities. This week he will be presenting to both the Highland District Council and the Macalester Groveland Community Council about his work so far and gathering feedback from neighbors and stakeholders about what they would like to see out of the study. I hope you can join us at one of these meetings.

-Highland District Council Community Development Committee, Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 PM, Hillcrest Rec. Center

-Macalester Groveland Community Council Housing and Land Use Committee, Wednesday, October 22, 6:30 PM, Edgcumbe Rec Center