ST PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul City Council voted Wednesday to change up its zoning districts to allow multi-family dwellings on lots that were previously restricted to single-family homes.
The new zoning plan, which will go into effect in 30 days, was put on the table as a possible solution to the city's current housing shortage.
"This is an exciting development and a big step toward achieving the goals outlined in our 2040 Comprehensive Plan,” St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said in a press release. “With these changes, we are investing in the housing supply and expanding affordable housing and wealth-building opportunities for all of our residents.”
According to the release, the new plan creates two zoning districts to support greater housing density, including neighborhood-scale housing — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, accessory dwelling units, townhomes and cluster developments — to be built in every part of the city.
“I appreciate the very thoughtful work that went into this proposal,” Council President Amy Brendmoen said in the release. “I believe the changes we passed today will create more opportunities and options for density and housing choices in our City.”
A national study shows that the Twin Cities area has a housing shortage of 80,000 units, according to City Planning Director Luis Pereira, and ranked high on the list of metropolitan areas that have under-produced residential units.
"The goal is to address that shortage," Pereira said. "We have a really low vacancy rate for rental and not enough homes to buy if you’re looking to be in the market to purchase. We have bidding wars. We have rents rising quickly."
Since 1975, large sections of the Capital City have been restricted to single-family dwellings through zoning restrictions. Supporters pointed out that developers and property owners would still need to conform to limits on building height and open space. Opponents to increased density have warned it will lead to parking shortages and increased traffic in quiet residential neighborhoods.
The City of Minneapolis was sued for eliminating single-family zoning in its 2040 Comprehensive Plan passed in 2018. But St. Paul's leaders say they're not worried about that happening here because the zoning changes are consistent with a comprehensive plan that has been on the books for several years.
"If we truly want to live in an exciting, vibrant city, if we want to expand our tax base, keep our property taxes down, if we want to achieve our climate goals and support local businesses and have a walkable city it will ultimately come down to allowing this kind of gentle, infill density to take root," said City Council Member Rebecca Noecker.
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