Macalester-Groveland Demolition and New Construction

At the SARPA meeting on Monday night, board members indicated concern with recent new construction issues in Macalester-Groveland. In particular, we were worried about historic homes being demolished, with less appropriate (0and often much larger) homes being built in their place. We indicated out concern to Councilmember Tolbert, and were pleased with his response, as copied below:

On behalf of Councilmember Tolbert, thank you for your email and your input on this important issue. We do currently have multiple proposals to address the issues we've see with new residential construction in the neighborhood. 

Through the comments that we've received we have learned that this is really a two-pronged issue. First, with the new construction has come a slew "bad neighbor" contractors who poorly maintain their worksites/properties and cause headaches for surrounding neighbors. Councilmember Tolbert is committed to cracking down on these bad actors through new ordinances including a Construction Management Agreement that contractors will be required to sign prior to construction. This agreement will also be mailed to neighbors surrounding the property in question to ensure that they also know the rules and know who to call if they are being broken. In addition to the Construction Management Agreement Councilmember Tolbert is introducing ordinances that tighten up dumpster regulations.  The legislation will license dumpster haulers, add 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 create new safety signage for dumpsters. To hear more about these new ordinances and to testify on the topic of construction management please join us at the Saint Paul City Council Public Hearing on August 20th, 2014 at 5:30PM. Hearings are held in the Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall which is located at 15 Kellogg Blvd. W. in Saint Paul. I hope you can join us. 

The second issue is the homes that are being built. Councilmember Tolbert has asked that the city's Planning and Economic Development (PED) Department to study the heights of these new homes so that we can better understand what effect possible zoning code changes would have. Because at this point the Councilmember is asking the PED Department to do a study, he just needs to pass a resolution directing them to do the work. Resolutions do not have Public Hearings, so we will not be taking testimony on this at this time. However, after the study is completed the results will come before both the Planning Commission and the City Council and both will hold Public Hearings. Want to hear more and talk about this issue sooner than that? Join the Macalester Groveland Community Council for their July Housing and Land Use Forum Wednesday, July 23rd at 6:30PM at the Weyerhaeuser Board Room at 62 Macalester St. in Saint Paul. City Planner Josh Williams will be presenting on "Why Zoning Matters to You" and I will be there to answer questions on the study and the construction management ordinances. Attached is a flyer with information about this forum and their others. 

July Minutes

Summit Avenue

Residential Preservation

Association

Board Meeting Minutes

21 July, 2014     •     at 1358 Summit

Call to Order – 7:05pm. Agenda finalized. Present:  Gladhill, Westermeyer, Walsh, Natz.

Old business:

Summit Sale to be coordinated by Mary Lynch on September 20 (same date as MGCC sale). People will be encouraged to have individual sales, but no coordinated group effort.

Rachel reported on WSNAC. The WSNAC board just reviewed the report on the Buyback program and passed the recommendations. Rachel was commended for her hard work.

New business:

Gladhill will submit a Knight Green Line Challenge to fund the Walking Street study.

Decisions about land use were as follows:

900 Summit:  SARPA would not be opposed to the solar panels, provided they were in accordance with our solar energy position.

1621 Summit:  SARPA is not convinced that outward opening casement windows are appropriate for this house. However, we feel that the removal of the non-original storms (along with the retention of the transoms) is an extremely positive alteration. We believe the removal of the storms is the most important factor, and would not oppose outward-swinging casements in that case.

1890 Summit: In general, SARPA is not in favor of the demolition of original structures, including outbuildings. However, in this case, we believe that the current garage is in such poor condition that its replacement is warranted. We would encourage the homeowner to make some small changes to add some additional architectural character, which we believe will serve the property well and add particular value. We would like to see this project serve as an impetus for other preservation work on that block.

344 Summit was tabled until next month.

The board determined to send a letter to Councilmember Tolbert indicating a concern with tear-downs in Macalester-Groveland and urging a study and possible moratorium during the study.

The board voted to ask Old Hamline Village to keep us updated in their efforts to save old houses around Hamline University. Perhaps they should investigate a growth boundary for the university.

The board considered the proposal by Neighborhoods First to convert Ayd Mill Road to a linear park. Board members were concerned that this would put much more traffic onto neighborhood streets, especially Summit, and there was discussion about various issues with a linear park in that location. It was moved by Gladhill and seconded by Westermeyer that SARPA supports Ayd Mill Road be retained in its current use as a highway. Motion unanimously approved.

Gladhill updated the board on upcoming house tours including Summit homes by PAM and the SHA.

There was some discussion about new planters to replace the ones damaged in the recent vandalism. There was a preference for larger, lower planters. Such planters might even be able to sustain perennials or simpler gardening. It was estimated the cost would be $3,000-6,000, and we are not sure where that funding could come from.

The following board positions were elected:

Gladhill stays as president.

Vice President – Carolyn Will

Treasurer – Francis Luikart

Membership Chair – Mary Lynch

Walking Street Co-Chairs – Carolyn Will and Ted Lentz

           

Meeting adjourned at 8:20.