Accessory Dwelling Unit Public Hearing July 19

The Summit Hill Association (SHA) learned that on June 1, the St. Paul Planning Commission recommended that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) be allowed city-wide from the current permitted area half a mile on either side of University Avenue along the Green Line from Lexington Parkway and Emerald Avenue. The initial study for expansion was limited to Mounds Park and four district councils (1, 3, 7 and 9). The Summit Hill Association was never advised about the proposed city-wide expansion until June 6.

SHA expressed concern about both the lack of transparency around the process of this proposal as well as the substance, and asked the City to extend the time period for the City Council readings and vote to allow adequate time for residents of Summit Hill and other affected districts to learn more about the proposed changes. The City Council public hearing was subsequently rescheduled from July 11 to Aug. 15.  SHA's Zoning and Land Use Committee will be holding a meeting on Thursday, July 19 at 7 pm at the Linwood Recreation Center to hear public comment.  All neighbors are welcome to attend.

Jamie Radel, PED Department senior planner and author of the ADU study, will be at the meeting to present the findings and answer questions. Ward 2 Councilmember Rebecca Noecker will be attending to listen to any neighborhood concerns. Based on neighborhood input, the ZLU committee will make a recommendation which will be voted on by the full SHA board on Aug. 9 and communicated to the City Council ahead of their public hearing.

You can learn more about this issue by reviewing the study and initial legislation through the links above. If you are unable to attend the July 19 meeting, please send comments to info@summithillassociation.org or call the office at 651.222.1222.