2018-01-23

Reading the Highland Villager #199

[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: Commission OKs plan for five-story apartment bldg. on Marshall Ave.; Neighbors say they will appeal the decision to the City Council
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the site plan for a new apartment building. It did not require any variances, rezoning, or conditional use permits. Neighbors are concerned about traffic, parking, students, and the character of the neighborhood. They will appeal the site plan decision to the City Council. Article includes details of the proposal and history of the homes that might be torn down. The neighborhood group disagreed with the city staff who recommended the site plan approval, due to its conformity with existing plans.  Some neighbors argue the existing homes have historic value that might make the designated for protection. [Speaking personally, as a member of the Zoning Committee, this was an open-and-shut case because the facts about its setbacks, height, and zoning were not challenged by any of the evidence. There were no good reasons to overturn the staff recommendation, which is why the case was approved unanimously by both the Zoning Committee and the full Planning Commission. I highly doubt the City Council will overturn the decision and set themselves up for legal action, because at least to my thinking, the legal grounds would be very shaky.]


Headline: St. Paul debates increase in minimum wage; Restaurant employees argue for the inclusion of tip credit
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city's minimum wage will probably go up. It might go up for everyone, or just everyone who does not work as tipped staff at a restaurant. There was a meeting at a bar where people talked about tips. CM Brendmoen used to wait tables and bartend. [That's why she's so good at taking crap from people without losing her sh*t.] Lots of people are talking about what happened in Minneapolis. People who work for tips have different opinions. Article includes data on wages and minimum wages in different places.


Headline: City still seeking manager of former Highland bathhouse
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: And old building in the golf course that used to be a bath house but has been abandoned is still abandoned. There is a group that wants it to be used for food or events. [Kind of like the wildly successful Como Dockside that just lost its vendor? J/k it actually is successful, if perhaps not wildly so.] The building went out of business in 1979 and the roof leaks It needs a lot of renovation. [Using it in a Tin Fish fashion is not a terrible idea, but it's not next to a lake or anything so I doubt it would have the same appeal. Perhaps a northern franchise of the Duluth Family Sauna?]


Headline: Board delays picking proposal to lease Highland reservoir
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version:There's some land that used to hold water on Snelling Avenue and nobody knows quite what to do with it yet. There are a lot of ideas, and the City and Mayor would like some say in what happens next. The City and County parks departments have separate ideas, but CM Tolbert want them to agree instead of disagreeing. [They are quite far apart, in that there's a wide gap between a "park" and a "parking lot," at least if you're not in Northeast Minneapolis.] CM Noecker wants to keep all options on the table. The Water Board is involved. [Who are they? Is it the same as the Soil and Water board, or is this a different board?] Quote from one guy on the Water Board: "There's no obligation that we do anything." [That's Saint Paul for ya! Boy this seems like quite the alleycat fight. I personally would go with either the Hy-Vee development or the recreation fields, depending on how people felt about groceries versus kids playing soccer.]


Headline: Safe Routes projects surface in Highland
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There's a bit of money to help kids be safer when they go to and from school. For example, building sidewalks near schools. [Given the cliché that Highland is all about tradition and 1950s ideas about what community means, you'd think having kids be able to walk to school would be central to that vision. After all, those scenes are in every single Leave it to Beaver episode. Really every street in Highland should have sidewalks on both sides, and this includes streets next to golf courses or up hills, and it's hard to believe that neighbors are even having this conversation.]


Headline: Collaborative wants St. Paul to make preschool education available to all
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A group of people want to have city fund or help fund pre-K programs. CM Noecker says that "I think the stars are really aligning on this one." [Seems expensive but important! If only there were ways to raise money in policy-appropriate ways.]


Headline: St Paul invests $240K in staff training on mental health issues; Social worker will be hired to handle the public library's growing problem with homeless patrons
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: [The library is one of the last remaining truly public spaces in the city, along with some parks, where people are allowed to be there even if they don't have homes. It's a critical service.] Quote from outgoing library director: "These are very difficult issues, we have to do something." There have been fights or other incidents at libraries, especially downtown. There will be a new smartphone app that police will use.


Headline: Area rec centers are recommended for capital improvements in '18-19; $3M budget finances 46 projects across St. Paul
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There is some money in the CIB (capital improvement budget) to pay for things. There were many more projects rejected than approved, but some of the non-rejected projects include electrical work, fire and security upgrades, a new roof for a rec center, and a new system for brining the streets. [To keep from using salt, which is a good thing.] Not approved were the new doors for the animal control facility. [So, the animals are escaping? The barn door's open and the horses are getting out? That is the only possible conclusion, cats and dogs running wild in the streets, etc.] Nothing is finalized yet.


Headline: St. Paul to update rules governing installation of large solar gardens
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There will be a meeting to see if the rules for solar projects will change. Solar tech is progressing quickly. People will probably be able to build community solar projects, with many people, instead of doing it all individually. One neighbor is worried about tall buildings blocking the sun. [Beacuse that is a huge problem in Saint Paul Manhattan.]


Headline: 'Unity' and 'Peace' emerge as favorite names for new park on Griggs Street
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: People are trying to pick a name for a park being built in a vacant lot / parking lot behind a school. There was a vote, and the neighborhood group opted to go with Peace and Unity park as the names. [Design by committee.]


Headline: Work on The Capp expected to start soon at 46th & Hiawatha
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A large market-rate apartment building is being built with a grocery store in Minneapolis. [Not in Saint Paul.]


Headline: Site prepared for apartment complex in Mendota Heights
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Despite a lawsuit, a market-rate apartment building complex is being built in Mendota Heights by a freeway. [Not in Saint Paul.]


Headline: Hearing set on improvements to make Grand Avenue safer
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There was a meeting to discuss a plan to add bumpouts and maybe medians to Grand Avenue to keep people from driving so quickly there and to help people cross the street. Funding is already in place.


Headline: Transformation continues for Midway Center, soccer stadium
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Most of the strip mall is getting torn down and a soccer stadium is being constructed at University and Snelling. The bank has been demolished, but nobody knows if or when a building will be built in its place.The soccer team wants a sign variance.


Headline: Dixie's expansion plan to be topic of hearing on January 23
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A restaurant building on Grand Avenue might get larger and may or may not include a parking  lot and may or may not need a zoning change.

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