Saint Paul river zoning update

Revised river corridor regulations for Saint Paul, completed a year ago by the Mississippi River Critical Area citizen task force, finally made their way to an official public hearing before the Planning Commission in mid June. Some testified that the new zoning regulations were too weak and some said they were too strong. FMR said they were just about right.

The citizen task force, which included representatives of business, citizen and environmental interests, deliberated for more than two years to develop a strong and balanced set of regulations that will protect the rivers natural, scenic and cultural values. Prior to the public hearing, planning commissioners were presented with a report by city staff that suggested numerous changes, most of which FMR opposed in our public testimony. The revised river regulations were sent to the Comprehensive Planning Committee, which will discuss the testimony and determine which, if any, of the staff recommendations to incorporate into the new zoning. The new zoning code will come back to the Planning Commission for a vote later this summer and then move on to the City Council in the fall. The Met Council and DNR must sign off on the new zoning for it to become official.