Planning Commission

Role of the Committee

The purpose and responsibility of the Planning Commission is to:

• Make recommendations to the city council on planning, land use, and development applications as well as the city's zoning regulations and processes.
• Hold public hearings, hear testimony from residents and stakeholders, and work to address health, safety, and general welfare concerns on various development projects throughout the city.

Overview

• Normal meeting day/time: Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month starting at 6:30pm.
• Expected time commitment: Commission typically meets every month. The average meeting length is 90 minutes. Meeting preparation and review of agenda materials averages between 30-40 minutes.
• Length of Appointment: 3 years.
• Commission Seats Available: 4
• Priority by Ward: Equal ward representation is required under ordinance.
• Role of Committee: Make recommendations to the city council on planning, land use, and development applications as well as the city's zoning regulations and processes. Hold public hearings, hear testimony from residents and stakeholders, and work to address health, safety, and general welfare concerns on various development projects throughout the city.
• For more information contact: Melissa Houtsma, City Planner (651-552-4134), or Ben Boike, Community Development Director (651-552-4140)
• Why you might want to be on this committee? "It has truly been an honor to serve the City of West St. Paul during a period of transformative change. I believe I was able to contribute in a positive way and have learned a lot as well. I will truly miss planning commission." - Outgoing 3-term commissioner.

Planning Commission was recently involved in the following projects/items:

• Completed a comprehensive update to the sign code, which now allows for murals (can be seen in the West St. Paul community in the underground River-to-River tunnels and at Moreland Elementary)
• Amended the zoning code to allow for solar carports (like the 111-Kilowatt one recently constructed at the northern Dakota County service center)
• Implemented minimum bike parking requirements 
• Reduced the minimum parking requirements for big-box, commercial stores along Robert Street

Agendas & Minutes

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