
How should Saint Paul improve its zoning along transit routes?
Saint Paul is considering rezoning land – but how to do it? Luke Hanson argues we need to upzone, especially along transit routes.

Saint Paul is considering rezoning land – but how to do it? Luke Hanson argues we need to upzone, especially along transit routes.

Through rezoning, the city has an opportunity to foster new housing, businesses, and walkable, vibrant main streets while simultaneously improving the tax base.

Saint Paul needs to dramatically expand its property tax base to become a financially resilient city — updating its zoning rules to enable “dense” buildings is an obvious first step.

St. Paul may be ready to relax its prohibitions on neighborhood commercial buildings. Here’s how it could get over the finish line.

Beyond negative impacts on walkability, restrictive commercial zoning inhibits incremental development and raises barriers for small, independent developers in St. Paul.

It’s illegal to build corner stores and other small commercial spaces in most of St. Paul, thanks to decades-old zoning codes. That should change.