Reading the Highland Villager #214

[A Villager waits at a chow mein restaurant.]

[Basically the problem is that the best source of Saint Paul streets & sidewalks news is the Highland Villager, a very fine and historical newspaper. This wouldn't be a problem, except that its not available online. You basically have to live in or frequent Saint Paul to read it. Until this newspaper goes online, sidewalk information must be set free. See also: Three Reasons Why I Re-Blog the Highland Villager.]

Headline: Neighbors push for changes to design of 5-story O’Gara’s project; Public hearing set Aug. 1 on high density rezoning
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The people that own a mixed-use bar and parking lot want to turn it into an apartment building. Neighbors are concerned about noise. [It can’t be noisier than O’Garas was?] “Neighbors are concerned about the mass of the proposed building” [that’s a direct quote not a paraphrase]. There will be a meeting. Traffic and parking are not mentioned.


Headline: Mississippi dams’ future draws hundreds to hearing; Army Corps explains heir possible sale or removal
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Army Corps who run the Ford dam might sell it, which would allow its removal, but might not. There was a meeting about it.  Carp [Army Corps, meet army of carp?] are in the river as well. Neighbors are concerned about the loss of the navigational channel. [Get rid of it, I say.]


Headline: Developers save historic Iglehart house
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: An historic house is being moved to a different lot, and three homes will be built on the old lot. The house is 118 years old. It does not appear to be in good condition, according to one historian. The previous request to subdivide the lot was blocked. [Seems like a good outcome. I hope someone can fix it up. Is that in the works? It is not mentioned.]


Headline: Marshall Ave. rezoning recommended
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A Planning Commission committee voted to approve rezoning along Marshall Avenue, some of which would be up zoned and some of which would be downzoned. Neighbors are concerned about students.


Headline: Petitions seek referendums on organized trash collection
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Some people who are against the city organizing garbage haulers want to get signatures on a petition to have a city-wide vote. There will be a hearing at city hall. [Ugh. Prediction: three months after the change is implemented, it will be wildly popular and nobody will even remember what it was like before.]


Headline: City rezones former Riverside property for senior housing
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: an old school will become a senior housing complex.


Headline: Plan to turn St. Paul’s Church into concert venue advances
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: An old church that was for sale might become a performing arts center if the developer can get a variance. Neighbors are concerned about parking and noise.


Headline: St. Paul alters permit parking rules
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The City Council voted to change permit parking rules for the city. There will be fewer zones, but because of neighbor concerns, no districts will be eliminated. “Time limits will still vary by area and by street.” [That is very bad policy, as I have stated.] There will be fewer permits per house, from as many as six down to three plus two visitor permits. [That is still a lot.] Fees go up from $15 to $25, from $1 to $5 and from $1 to $3. [In other words, not enough to even cover inflation let alone administrative overhead.] People in apartments will be allowed to sign petitions, but before they could not. [This is really disappointing, but to be expected I suppose.] 


Headline: Committee stalls decision on plan to ease traffic tie-ups at Starbucks
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: [A motion to approve the new site plan for the Starbucks was not seconded, and facing a 2-2 tie situation, a vote on the new site plan for the drive-in at Starbucks was laid over two weeks.] Lots of great quotes about the drive-in from letters sent in by members of the public. [Read them all here and here.]


Headline: Paster eyes Aldi grocery as part of $10M update of Sibley Plaza; Renovation could also bring new restaurant to former Champs space
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A mostly abandoned strip mall might get a new grocery store. Previous plans to remodeled, infill, or develop the strip mall were shelved. [If I recall, there was an attempt to rezone this property but this was not done because the owner promised he was going to try and redevelop the property and the rezoning would hamper that. Instead we are getting a re-construction of the existing auto-oriented design and land use? With the parking lot in front and maintaining bad pedestrian access to the shops?] The parking lot would be “rehabilitated”, the facade would get a face lift, and the store would get a reconfigured loading dock. Article includes some history of the shopping center.


Headline: Grand Avenue rolls out the welcome mat for shoppers on two legs and four
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: You can bring your dog to Grand Avenue on August 5th. Some business owners will give out dog treats.