St. Paul City Council adopts zoning amendments on Grand Avenue

The St. Paul City Council voted Wednesday to adopt development-friendly amendments to the zoning code on Grand Avenue.

The changes to the East Grand Avenue Overlay District, which applies to all properties from Oakland Avenue to Ayd Mill Road, will impact all new developments starting mid-September.

The amendments follow two years of public input and analysis surrounding the current regulations.

In a statement, Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, who represents the area, said the unanimous vote marks a significant step toward building a more vibrant Grand Avenue.

“My goal in this rezoning was to make sure we got the balance right, preserving the character of Grand as a pedestrian-oriented, architecturally diverse retail street while making it for development to occur, at the right scale – and I believe we met that goal,” she stated.

The East Grand Avenue Overlay District, which was first adopted in 2006, sets regulatory standards for building size, height and design on new developments in the area.

Commercial and mixed-use developments, for example, have historically been limited to three stories in height, however, neighborhood residents began to debate those regulations in finer detail when the five-story Kenton House redevelopment was proposed in 2021.

The development, which includes 80 luxury apartments, two restaurants and a soon-to-open bakery, was ultimately given the necessary approvals and opened last fall.

The changes approved by the city council on Wednesday eliminate height restrictions and instead require stepbacks on buildings taller than 40'.

The amendments to the code also require developments to feature pedestrian-friendly elements, such as windows and awnings. Setbacks will also be allowed to support more patios and outdoor gathering spaces.

It comes after a difficult period for the once-bustling street, which has seen a number of businesses close in recent years amid financial challenges and, in some cases, lease hikes by an out-of-state landlord.

“I am excited to pass this long-overdue overhaul to bolster mixed-use development on Grand Avenue as a beloved Saint Paul commercial corridor enjoyed by people around the state,” stated City Council President Mitra Jalali.

“Eliminating these restrictions will allow us to continue welcoming residents and customers to Saint Paul for generations," she continued. "I’m grateful to the many community members and city staff who shaped this long-running process.”