Reading the Highland Villager #220

[A Villager underfoot.]

[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: City Council holds hearing on proposed $15 minimum wage on Nov. 7
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The City Council is going to have a meeting about how to raise the minimum wage. Some people want tip credits, others do not.


Headline: Ryan Cos.' Master plan for Ford site gets rave reviews
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The developer who bought the Ford site released some initial plans for the development. There was a meeting and people clapped. CM Tolbert is quoted: there's a lot for people to like." Two of the little league baseball fields that were there before will remain in the plans. Article includes a lot more details and renderings.


Headline: Dayton Presbyterian moving out of historic home; Smaller congregation can no longer maintain 130-year-old church
Author: Roger Barr

Short short version: A church on Dayton Avenue is moving because they do not have very many members any more. Article includes lots of history of the church, which dates to 1888, including its architects, etc. There used to be over 600 people there, and now there are not.


Headline: Korte's Windmer's to become Oxendale's
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Two long-time independent grocery stores are being sold to a small local grocery chain. [This is fine. The local grocery near my apartment was bought by Oxendale's a few years ago and it's even better than it was before. They run a great business. I shop there all the time.] Widmer's opened in 1957. Article includes some history of these two unique groceries.


Headline: St. Paul allows accessory dwellings citywide
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: It is now possible to build an accessory dwelling units (ADUs) anywhere in the city now. CM Bostrom voted against, quoted saying: "the long-term unintended consequences are significant as we put additional dwelling units on single-family lots."


Headline: Petitions seeking repeal of organized trash system surpass 5,000 signatures
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city is [finally] organizing trash companies into neighborhoods. There is a petition of people who do not like it that has about 5,000 names. [Article does not say what the next step would be, apart from verifying the names.]


Headline: Neighbors protest 11th-hour change to Marshall Avenue rezoning plan
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There was a City Council public hearing and vote about changes to the rezoning of Marshall Avenue. Neighbors were concerned about protecting historic homes and density. There was a meeting that was "heated", and some people called other people racist and/or objected to the use of the term. CM Nelson, who sponsored the new plan, is quoted: "the process was not fully inclusive." [The amended zoning plan passed the Council, 6-1.] Quote from the last paragraph about the hearing: "Planning commissioners Bill Lindeke and Adrian Perryman appeared at the City Council hearing to point out that the Planning Commission recommended the original Marshall Avenue rezoning plan on an extremely close vote, and that they support Nelson's amendments." [I did. TBH I was surprised that the original unamended plan did not have more support at the Commission, given all the staff time that and neighborhood process that had gone into it. I thought I would be one of the very few votes against the original zoning proposal, but it passed by only one vote.] 


Headline: UST survey says: Build student housing
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There was a survey of people who live by the University of St Thomas. The results are in: people want students to live on campus.


Headline: Mount Curve repaving project runs up against winter deadline
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A street is getting repaved, but the water main might need to replaced and is being tested. There have been eight tests so far, and the water has still not passed the quality test. Quote from neighbor who has had to park on the street: "it's getting pretty tiresome."  Quote from water guy who does not know the problem: "there can be a lot of variables."