City Council Worksession

South St. Paul WORKSESSION AGENDA SSP City Hall 125 3rd Avenue North Training room Monday, May 22, 2023 Immediately following the Special City Council meeting AGENDA: 1. Streetscape Maintenance Discussion 2. Concord Street Ribbon Cutting 3. Concord Exchange Streetscape 4. Discussion on Rezoning Several Properties to Align with 2040 Comprehensive Plan 5. Discussion on Issues with Truck Parking 6. Council Comments & Questions A COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: MAY 22, 2023 1 DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS PREPARED BY: Deb Griffith/Ryan Garcia ADMINISTRATOR: RG AGENDA ITEM: Streetscape Maintenance Discussion DESIRED MEETING OUTCOMES: Discuss and respond to proposal by Community Affairs to lead streetscape maintenance/beautification along key community corridors by soliciting volunteers / “adoption”. OVERVIEW: The City has several primary thoroughfares which are adorned with decorative landscape plantings to beautify and enhance the image of the community. With a relatively lean staff and significant responsibilities and duties in the summer, it has proven somewhat challenging for Public Works crews to consistently “keep up” with the demands of maintaining these decorative areas beyond relatively basic maintenance. In the 2023 Budget, the EDA set aside up to $50,000 to support a potential third-party contract for “streetscape maintenance” along Southview Boulevard, Grand / 3rd Avenue, and Concord/Concord Exchange. While we did receive one proposal for this work, internal discussions revealed an opportunity and desire to explore the potential of approaching this work in a more organic and community-oriented manner. The Southview Boulevard Beautification Project is proposed to be enhanced to involve Southview, Grand Avenue Hill and Concord Exchange by the Post Office. The program will be facilitated through the South St. Paul Community Affairs Office. Residents will have the opportunity to volunteer to beautify the public plant containers on Southview Blvd, Grand Avenue Hill and Concord Exchange by the Post Office. It should be noted that the streetscaping along Concord Street – which was just installed as part of the construction project – is to be maintained at least through 2024 by the landscaping sub on that job, per the contract. MAINTENANCE PROPOSAL: Staff proposes the following combination of activities to serve as the basis of the program: • Select a core group of residents/businesses that will assist in facilitating the program including the SSP Garden Club, the SSP Sustainability Task Force and local Master Gardeners and well as interest volunteers • Get the SSP Weed-Be-Goners’ Program back up and running • Organizing Community evening or Saturday events for clean-ups - a minimum of monthly events will be hosted in each area each month. This could be the same time or depending on the project, different dates and times. • Residents/businesses/organizations can adopt specific areas so they can maintain at their convenience - not everyone can make an evening or Saturday event (Southview Blvd already has a few areas that residents are watching over and maintaining) • Much like the SSP Bluebird Monitoring Program, volunteers can sign up to monitor a designated area weekly and keep them maintained in between the community events.  We currently have volunteers monitoring the blue bird houses at Kaposia Land and are reporting in weekly. To create community ownership is the mission of the SSP Community Affairs/Volunteer Program. Giving the residents, businesses and organizations an opportunity to beautify and maintain these public areas of South St. Paul will build community within South St. Paul. FUNDING SOURCE AND OTHER FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: While the use of volunteers will keep down the cost, some funding will be needed for bags, hand tools, water/refreshments and possibly additional t-shirts to provide to showcase “Community Ownership” that the volunteers can wear while maintaining an area. This will also help identify that the volunteer should be there maintaining the area. The 2023 EDA Budget is expected to have sufficient funding to cover these expenses, as the budget included up to $50,000 to hire contracted services for these efforts. A COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: MAY 22, 2023 2 DEPARTMENT: ENGINEERING Prepared By: Nick Guilliams, City Engineer ADMINISTRATOR: RG AGENDA ITEM: Concord Street Ribbon Cutting/Appreciation Event DESIRED OUTCOMES: Council direction regarding a ribbon cutting/appreciation event to celebrate the completion of the Concord Street Improvements Project. OVERVIEW: Background The Concord Street Improvements Project will be complete this June. This project is a significant achievement that the City and Community should be proud of. Years of hard work and dedication from the Council, Staff, and Stakeholders made this project a reality. This is a great opportunity to say thank you to the businesses and residents that endured several years of construction and the inconveniences that go along with that. ACTION NEEDED Staff would like Council feedback on holding a ribbon cutting/ appreciation event to celebrate this achievement. Items to consider for an event: • Date and Time for Event o Consider combining with another City Event to increase attendance. Kaposia Days or National Night Out could be options. • Invite List o Federal, State and Local elected officials, stakeholders, general public? • Type of Event o Simple ribbon cutting o More involved celebration with food and beverages • Location of Event o Intersection of Grand/Concord? o Other? A COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: MAY 22, 2023 3 DEPARTMENT: ENGINEERING Prepared By: Nick Guilliams, City Engineer ADMINISTRATOR: RG AGENDA ITEM: Concord Exchange Streetscape Improvements Schedule DESIRED OUTCOMES: Council direction regarding the timing of design and construction for the Concord Exchange Streetscape Improvements. OVERVIEW: Background The EDA has prioritized the reconstruction and streetscape improvements of Concord Exchange as their top priority to attract new development and encourage development along Concord Exchange. The scope of the project involves 2 phases: Phase 1 – Grand Ave to Concord Connection This phase was originally included to be part of “The Yards” development. In lieu of the developer performing the work, the City received funding from the developer to complete the improvements. This phase is limited to streetscape improvements as the road is in good condition. This phase was originally identified in the CIP for improvement in 2022. Phase 2 – Grand Avenue to Concord Street This phase would be a full street reconstruction including new storm sewer, street lighting upgrades, and streetscape improvements. This phase is currently identified in the CIP for improvement in 2024. The estimated cost of both phases is approximately $4,000,000. Approximately $2,000,000 in tax increment funds is proposed to fund the project. The remainder of the funding would come from Municipal State Aid Funds, Enterprise Funds, and Assessments. Staff is requesting Council direction on when to begin the design of phase 2 and start construction. Plans have been prepared for Phase 1 and that phase is ready to bid for construction. Staff is recommending both phases be combined into 1 project to take advantage of economy of scale. Future development of the Vaquero apartments adjacent to the Drover should be considered regarding timing of the project. Having both projects under construction at the same time would be challenging. In addition, completing the street improvements prior to construction of the apartments could result in damage to the City’s improvements because of construction activities from the building of the apartments. ACTION NEEDED Council direction regarding the timing of design and construction for the Concord Exchange Streetscape Improvements. A CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: MAY 22, 2022 4 DEPARTMENT: Community Development-Planning Prepared By: Michael Healy, Planning Manager ADMINISTRATOR: ____________ AGENDA ITEM: Discussion on Rezoning Several Properties to Align with 2040 Comprehensive Plan DESIRED OUTCOMES: • Review how State Law requires the City to bring its zoning map into alignment with the Comprehensive Plan’s “Future Land Use Map” • Discuss Staff’s proposal to rezone several properties to align with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan OVERVIEW: Background The City of South St. Paul is required by State Statute to adopt a 20-year Comprehensive Plan and update it every 10 years. The City adopted its 2040 Comprehensive Plan at the end of 2019, including a future land use map that shows what the City wants its land use to look like in 20 years. The future land use map was given a major update in early 2023 when the City Council approved a comprehensive plan amendment aimed at strengthening the community’s mixed-use areas. Future land use map guidance is significant because the City is legally obligated to adhere to its future land use map when making zoning decisions. If the future land use map guides properties in a way that is inconsistent with the City’s current zoning map, the City should be actively working to rezone those properties so that the two maps align with each other. In some cases, this involves rezoning a property to an existing zoning district that clearly fits what was intended by the Comprehensive Plan. In other cases, the Comprehensive Plan may call for rezoning or redevelopment that falls outside of the City’s existing zoning code. This may mean that the City must conduct a zoning study and/or make changes to its zoning code before it can move forward with a rezoning. In some cases, an entirely new zoning district needs to be created. In addition to major zoning studies, the City sometimes undertakes small proactive rezoning projects to fix straightforward issues with the zoning map. These projects are typically aimed at “low-hanging fruit” where a clear solution can be implemented quickly and efficiently. The City undertook a small proactive rezoning project in 2021 shortly after the new comprehensive plan was approved. Staff believes that it would be valuable to undertake another small proactive rezoning project at this time to address issues that have surfaced since 2021 and implement some of the goals of the comprehensive plan amendment that was enacted in 2023. City Council Worksession Report – Discussion on Rezoning to Implement 2040 Plan May 22, 2023 Page 2 of 12 Zoning Districts Involved in this Rezoning Proposal 1. The R-1 Single Family district allows single-family homes as well as some institutional uses (i.e. churches and schools). 2. The R-2 Single and Two Family district allows all of the uses that are allowed in the R-1 district and also allows duplexes and twinhomes. 3. The R-3 General Residence district allows all of the uses allowed in the R-1 and R-2 districts and also allows small multifamily buildings with up to 12 dwelling units. 4. The R-4 Multifamily Residential district allows all of the uses allowed in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 districts and also allows larger multifamily buildings as long as the property has sufficient acreage. Any multifamily building with more than 20 units requires a conditional use permit. 5. The C-1 Retail Business district is a mixed-use zoning district that is in place along Southview Boulevard and Marie Avenue and on a handful of parcels scattered throughout the City’s residential neighborhoods. It allows commercial buildings and also allows small multifamily buildings with up to 12 units. 6. The Concord Gateway Mixed-Use (CGMU) Zoning District is a mixed-use zoning district designed to help Concord Exchange redevelop as a traditional downtown main street. The standards are geared towards that specific street. 7. The GB-General Business district is the zoning district along South Concord and Concord Street near Interstate 494. It is primarily a commercial/industrial zoning district but it also allows dwelling units in any building with a Conditional Use Permit. 8. The I-1 Light Industrial zoning district allows primarily light manufacturing and office- warehouse type uses. Proposed Rezoning Actions 1. 420 5th Avenue North: This is a single-family home on top of a bluff that was accidentally rezoned to a mixed-use zoning district 20 years ago along with the Concord Lanes bowling alley that sits below it at the bottom of the bluff. This mapping error should be corrected, and the property should be rezoned back to R-1 Single Family. 2. 459 5th Avenue South: This property hosts a small mixed-use building that contains five apartment units and a ground floor commercial space that was once the home of Joe’s Bakery. This property is currently zoned R-2 and the existing building is “grandfathered” but no new business can move into the commercial space aside from the type of business that is already there which is a small office. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan calls for this property to be “mixed-use” and it should be rezoned to C-1 Retail Business. 3. 1201 Marie Avenue: This property hosts an 11-unit apartment building which once had a ground-floor commercial space (the commercial space was converted into housing). This City Council Worksession Report – Discussion on Rezoning to Implement 2040 Plan May 22, 2023 Page 3 of 12 property is currently zoned R-2 which only allows single-family homes and duplexes but the existing apartment building is “grandfathered.” The 2040 Comprehensive Plan calls for this property to be “mixed-use” and it should be rezoned to C-1 Retail Business which will legalize the existing use and allow the commercial space to be reestablished if the property owner ever decides that is something that they want to do. 4. 200 Block of 2nd Avenue South. Most of this block is zoned R-4 Multifamily Residential but there are four (4) parcels that have R-2 zoning. Two of the four parcels contain triplexes which are not allowed in the R-2 zoning district but are “grandfathered.” The 2040 Comprehensive Plan calls for the entire block to be high density residential so the four non- matching parcels should be rezoned to R-4 Multifamily Residential to match the rest of the block. The R-4 district still allows single-family homes and duplexes as permitted uses so none of the existing buildings on the block will become nonconforming. 5. Pump House Property on I-494. The pump house property, which is located on a tiny parcel immediately adjacent to Interstate 494, hosts municipal drinking water facilities. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan guides it for “right-of-way” which does not correspond to a specific zoning district. The property currently has R-2 zoning but it makes more sense for it to have GB General Business zoning to align with the adjacent Fury Motors property. The parcel does not meet minimum lot dimension requirements for the R-2 district and the GB district is more in line with the utility use. 6. Poplar Street East Properties. There are three small parcels next to the Lincoln Park Townhomes on Poplar Street East that are currently zoned GB-General Business. One parcel contains a “grandfathered” single-family-home and the other two parcels are vacant. Most of this block was rezoned to R-4 Multifamily Residential back in 2006 when the Lincoln Park Townhomes were being developed but these three parcels were not part of that rezone. The Comprehensive Plan guides them as high density residential and rezoning them to R-4 would match the rest of the block. 7. Outlot on Bridgepoint Way Cul-De-Sac. There is a ¾ acre outlot at the end of the Bridgepoint Way cul-de-sac that currently has GB zoning even though all of the neighboring properties have I-1 Light Industrial zoning. Part of the outlot is owned by the City and hosts the cul-de-sac bulb. The rest of the outlot is under joint ownership with a neighboring property and that property has built part of its parking lot on the outlot. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan calls for the entire outlot to be rezoned to I-1 Light Industrial to match its neighbors and reflect how it is being used. 8. Existing Apartment Buildings South of Wakota Federal Credit Union. There are two existing apartment buildings on 12th Avenue South immediately south of Wakota Federal Credit Union. One building has 12 units and the other building has 17 units. Both properties are currently zoned R-2 which only allows single-family homes and duplexes so both apartment buildings are “grandfathered.” The 2040 Comprehensive Plan guides both properties as high density residential and rezoning them to R-4 would legalize the existing buildings so they would no longer be nonconforming. City Council Worksession Report – Discussion on Rezoning to Implement 2040 Plan May 22, 2023 Page 4 of 12 DIRECTION NEEDED Staff is seeking Council feedback on whether some or all of the proposed rezonings should be brought to the Planning Commission for a public hearing. SOURCE OF FUNDS: N/A ATTACHMENTS A. MAPS SHOWING PROPOSED REZONING ACTIONS B. CURRENT ZONING MAP B. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP  ATTACHMENT A MAPS SHOWING PROPOSED REZONING ACTIONS REZONING ACTION #1: Single Family Home at 420 5th Avenue South Should be Rezoned to R-1 Single Family  REZONING ACTION #2: 459 5th Avenue South Should be Rezoned to C-1 Retail Business  REZONING ACTION #3: 1201 Marie Avenue Should be Rezoned to C-1 Retail Business  REZONING ACTION #4: 4 Parcels on the 200 Block of 3rd Avenue South Should be Rezoned to “R-4 Multifamily Residential” to Match the Rest of the Block and the Future Land Use Map  REZONING ACTION #5: Pump House Parcel on Interstate 494 Would Be Rezoned to GB-General Business to Better Match the Use and Align with the Adjacent Fury Motors Property  REZONING ACTION #6: Three Parcels Next to the Lincoln Park Townhomes on Poplar Street East Would be Rezoned to R-4 Multifamily Residential  REZONING ACTION #7: OUTLOT A on the Bridgepoint Way Cul-de-sac Would be Rezoned to I-1 Light Industrial to Match Neighboring Properties City Council Worksession Report – Discussion on Rezoning to Implement 2040 Plan May 22, 2023 Page 12 of 12 REZONING ACTION #8: Two Existing Apartment Buildings south of Wakota Federal Credit Union on 12th Avenue South Would be Rezoned to R-4 Multifamily Residential to Match Existing Use and Comprehensive Plan Guidance  City of South St Paul Zoning Map City of South St Paul Planning Department https://www.southstpaul.org/ 2 Hwy 5 Butler ATTACHMENT B nc or d CURRENT ZONING MAP Co Bromley 23rd Ave 21st Ave 19th Ave 17th Ave 15th Ave Thompson 12th Ave Wentworth 4th St N nd Gra 2nd St N rdm Marie Ha 21st Ave 18th Ave 15th Ave 7th Ave 5th Ave 3rd Ave an 9th Ave 1st Ave Southview Concor our d Arm Hw 4th St S y5 2 6th St S Zoning Designations Residential Acres Percentage R1 - Single Family 530.47 18.1% R2 - Single and Two Family Residence District 718.31 24.5% 8th St S R3 - General Residence 29.45 1% R4 - Multifamily Residential District 82.32 2.8% Commercial C C1 - Retail Business District 40.88 1.4% GB - General Business District 129.88 4.4% I-494 CGMU1 - Concord Gateway Mixed Use District 1 54.93 1.9% CGMU2 - Concord Gateway Mixed Use District 2 10.97 .4% MMM1 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 1 6.08 .2% Richmond MMM2 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 2 27.57 .9% B Dale MMM3 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 3 6.42 .2% Syndicate MMM4 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 4 10.74 .4% 9th Ave 5th Ave Spruce 7th Ave 1st Ave Industrial A Henry I - Industrial District 562.06 19.2% I-1 - Light Industrial District 230.39 7.9% Poplar Other NRDD - North Riverfront Development District 21.06 .7% Con South cord MH - Mobile Home 6.76 .2% RT- Rail Transportation District 82.73 2.8% P - Park / Public 288.63 9.8% ROW - Right of Way 82.23 2.8% WAT - Water 11.49 .4% MRCCA - Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Airport Safety Zone A Total Airport Safety Zone B 2932.61 100% Airport Safety Zone C Primary Surface 4 PUD - Planned Unit Development Shoreland District Overlay 0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles This Zoning map is a representation of various maps and ordinances that make up the City of South St. Paul zoning code. Percentage of Acreage is calculated from county parcel data. Results are representational and not to be used for purposes other than zoning. For detail information pertaining to a specific property or zoning district, please contact the City of South St. Paul Planning Department at http://www.southstpaul.org/ Print Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Last Updated: April 5, 2023 MRCCA districts can be found on a separate PDF. Prepared by: South St Paul GIS  Future Land Use Map City of South St Paul Planning Department https://www.southstpaul.org/ ATTACHMENT C 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP Res. Density Units/Acre Future Land Use Acres Percentage 1-5 LDR - Low Density Residential 494.25 12.4% 6-15 LMDR - Low-Medium Density Residential 691.72 17.3% 6-20 MDR - Medium Density Residential 23.57 .6% 13-60 HDR - High Density Residential 99.21 2.5% 13-60 MU - Mixed Use 153.34 3.8% 25-75 GEMU - Grand/Exchange Mixed Use 58.7 1.5% COM - Commercial 113.36 2.8% AIR - Airport 199.33 5% I - Industrial 155.42 3.9% LI - Light Industrial 327.73 8.2% ROW - Right Of Way 606.85 15.2% P - Parks and Recreation 264.76 6.6% IN - Institutional 194.3 4.9% UTL - Utility 33.45 .8% O - Office Space 0 0% OS - Open Space 204.36 5.1% RR - Railroad 82.73 2.1% WAT - Water 291.44 7.3% Railroad 4 0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles The Future Land Use map is a representation of various maps and ordinances that make up the City of South St.Paul zoning code.Percentage of Acreage is calculated from county parcel data. Results are representational and not to be used for purposes other Print Date: Friday, December 16, 2022 than zoning. For detail information pertaining to a specific property or zoning district, Last Updated: December 5, 2022 please contact the City of South St.Paul Planning Department at http://www.southstpaul.org/ Prepared by: South St Paul GIS  CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT A DATE: MAY 22, 2023 5 DEPARTMENT: Community Development-Planning Prepared By: Michael Healy, Planning Manager ADMINISTRATOR: ____________ AGENDA ITEM: Discussion on Issues with Truck Parking DESIRED OUTCOMES: • Review current City regulations that govern truck parking. • Discuss MnDOT report about the importance of truck parking. • Discuss potential short-term and long-term solutions for issues with truck parking. OVERVIEW: Background Staff has been receiving an increasingly large number of complaints about tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles that are parked on public streets as well as complaints about tractor-trailers and large commercial vehicles that are parked on private properties. There are at least three major factors at play here: 1. There are approximately 350,000 independent owner-operator truckers in the US. These are people who own their own tractor-trailers and are not part of a larger company that owns commercial properties with dedicated parking facilities. 2. There are several nearby cities that have decided that they don’t want tractor- trailers parking on their streets anymore, not even in industrial areas. Minneapolis passed a new ordinance and banned all tractor-trailer parking from all public streets in 2021. West St. Paul passed an ordinance in 2022 that went even further and banned all commercial vehicles of any size from parking on public streets. When neighboring cities institute bans, it may put additional parking pressure on cities without bans such as Saint Paul and South St. Paul. 3. Many cities in the metro have zoning rules that are hostile towards the creation of legal truck parking for independent owner operators on private properties. In SSP: a. The two industrial zoning districts technically allow “truck stops” but require a .2 Floor Area Ratio (FAR). It is not cost-effective to design a truck stop with 20% building coverage. Stockman’s Truck Stop is “grandfathered.” b. The City Council has tried to prevent overnight truck parking on many private properties by placing “case by case” conditions in conditional use permits: i. Danner Inc. is prohibited from letting independent owner operators park overnight in its new Verderosa Avenue parking lot. ii. Tractor-trailers are only allowed to park at Kwik Trip if they are actively being filled with gas or the driver is shopping in the c-store. City Council Worksession Report – Truck Parking Discussion May 22, 2023 Page 2 of 5 SSP’s Existing Rules for Truck Parking The following is a summary of SSP’s existing rules for truck parking on public streets: • SSP defines a “truck” as being a tractor, truck-tractor, a trailer, a semitrailer, or a bus as defined in Minnesota Statute § 327.14(2). SSP’s City Code specifically states that pickup trucks with a gross weight not exceeding 10,000 pounds are not included in the definition. • Truck parking IS NOT allowed on a public street if it is adjacent to a residential use or a property that has R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4 zoning unless the truck is being actively loaded or unloaded or is transacting business at an adjacent property. • Truck parking IS allowed on a public street if it is adjacent to a property that does not contain a residential use and the property has C-1, GB, CGMU, MMM, I, or I-1 zoning. • There is a citywide rule that no vehicle of any kind can be parked on a public street for longer than 20 hours without being moved and this rule also applies to trucks. The following is a summary of SSP’s existing rules for truck parking on private properties: • Only “passenger vehicles” may be parked on properties that contain residential uses and the City Code defines what a passenger vehicle is: Passenger vehicle means any motor vehicle designed and used for carrying not more than 15 individuals, including the driver. A passenger vehicle includes a pickup truck, van and self-propelled recreational vehicle for use on the public streets or highways. A passenger vehicle does not include a bus, school bus, commuter van, box truck, semitractor, farm truck, or a vehicle designed to operate exclusively on a railroad track. • For private nonresidential properties, including churches and schools in residential zoning districts and unique uses with residential zoning like the Croatian Hall, the City Code does not have any restrictions on what types of commercial vehicles can be parked in a parking lot as long as they are on a legal parking surface. • There is no time limit for how long a vehicle can be parked outside on a private property as long as it is licensed and operable. • Semitrailer parking is viewed by the City Code as being “exterior storage” when it takes place on private properties. There are some zoning districts which allow exterior storage and this is regulated “case by case” via the conditional use permit process. When the semitrailers are attached to licensed and operable trucks, however, the Code generally would treat it as “parking” instead of exterior storage. • Recreational vehicles are not considered trucks even if they are very large. Recreational vehicles have their own regulations and are generally allowed in residential areas if they meet zoning requirements for parking surface design and distance from property lines. City Council Worksession Report – Truck Parking Discussion May 22, 2023 Page 3 of 5 What is a Code Violation Under the Current Ordinance? IS A CODE VIOLATION IS NOT A CODE VIOLATION 1. Parking a truck larger than 10,000 lbs. 1. Parking a tractor-trailer, trailer, or on the street next to a house, duplex, other large commercial vehicle on a or apartment building public street next to a commercial property for 20 hours or less 2. Parking any vehicle on the street 2. Parking a street-legal licensed and longer than 20 hours. operable commercial vehicle of any size in a private nonresidential parking lot. 3. Parking a vehicle that is not a 3. Parking a pickup truck on the street, “passenger vehicle” or a “recreational even if it is being used for commercial vehicle” on a driveway or parking pad purposes. at a private residential property. Section 58-102 of the City Code states that no “trailer” can be parked on a street next to a residential property and references a State Statute with a definition of the word “trailer:” "Trailer" means any vehicle designed for carrying property or passenger on its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle but shall not include a trailer drawn by a truck-tractor semitrailer combination, or an auxiliary axle on a motor vehicle which carries a portion of the weight of the motor vehicle to which it is attached. For the purpose of registration, trailers coupled with a truck-tractor, semitrailer combination are semitrailers. Despite the language in 58-102, the City has historically allowed small trailers to be parked on the street next to residential properties as long as they are attached to a pickup truck and are moved at least every 20 hours. Many of these trailers contain snowmobiles, boats, and other recreational equipment. MnDOT Report on Truck Parking Needs The modern American economy relies heavily on trucking for the movement of freight. There are truck parking shortages nationally, statewide, and locally which are undermining the stability of the trucking sector. Local zoning plays a role in driving the shortages since many communities view truck traffic and truck parking as a nuisance unless the trucks belong to a local industrial employer and are parked at their property. In 2019, MnDOT released a report that outlines the parking challenges currently facing the trucking industry: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/freight/PDF/truckparking/final-report.pdf. A one-page summary of this report is included as an attachment. MnDOT is asking communities to try to find ways to be part of the solution to address the truck parking shortage. City Council Worksession Report – Truck Parking Discussion May 22, 2023 Page 4 of 5 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Staff has compiled a set of possible solutions to dealing with this complicated issue. Some of the solutions can be implemented immediately while others will take additional study and policy analysis. Short-Term Solutions 1. Expand SSP’s existing ban on parking “trucks” that weigh more than 10,000 pounds on certain public streets. In addition to the Residential zoning districts, the ban could be expanded to include the C-1 Retail Business zoning district (Southview and Marie), the MMM Mixed-Markets and Makers District (Concord Street North), and the CGMU Concord Gateway Mixed Use District (Concord Exchange). 2. Clarify whether trailers attached to pickup trucks (including recreational vehicle trailers) should be allowed to be parked on residential public streets. If so, establish a maximum length for these trailers. 3. Discuss whether the C-1 Retail Business district (Southview and Marie) and CGMU Concord Gateway Mixed Use district (Concord Exchange) should have restrictions placed on the size of commercial vehicles that can be parked/stored outdoors on private properties. Also discuss whether churches, schools, and unique properties like the Croatian Hall should have restrictions on the size of commercial vehicles that can be parked in their parking lots when they are in residential zoning districts. In Minneapolis, most of their non-industrial zoning districts only allow the outdoor parking of commercial vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 15,000 pounds or less and a single rear axle. This does not apply to pick-up and delivery activities or to vehicles used during construction. The attached draft ordinance would implement these short-term solutions. The vehicle and trailer sizes listed in the draft ordinance are placeholders which can be easily modified. Long-Term Solutions 1. Discuss the creation of a “truck transportation overlay district” near Interstate 494 where FAR requirements could be relaxed for private truck parking facilities in exchange for other property improvements that may provide an amenity or increase the tax base (i.e. enhanced landscaping, ground-mounted solar panels, electric car chargers, etc.). 2. Review whether additional regulations are needed for on-street parking of commercial vehicles in the industrial area east of Concord Street and south of Grand Avenue. Many industrial businesses in SSP use adjacent street parking as a staging area for their commercial operations and a citywide ban on all on-street parking of commercial vehicles (like West St. Paul) could negatively impact some local industrial businesses. 3. Review the longstanding policy of placing “case by case” conditions in conditional use permits to prohibit overnight truck parking in private parking lots in the industrial areas. City Council Worksession Report – Truck Parking Discussion May 22, 2023 Page 5 of 5 ACTION NEEDED The City Council is asked to discuss the issue and evaluate whether the “status quo” is acceptable. If the status quo is not acceptable, Council should give Staff direction on implementation of the proposed short-term solutions. ATTACHMENTS A- TRUCKS COMPLAINTS THAT ARE NOT CODE VIOLATIONS B- RELEVANT EXISTING CITY CODE C- TRUCK DEFINITIONS FROM MINNESOTA STATE STATUTE CHAPTER 168 D- ONE-PAGE SUMMARY OF MNDOT 2019 TRUCK PARKING REPORT E- GRAPHIC SHOWING TRUCK TYPES BY GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING F- WEST ST. PAUL TRUCK BAN ORDINANCE G- MINNEAPOLIS TRUCK BAN ORDINANCE H- MYVILLAGER ARTICLE ABOUT CITY OF SAINT PAUL TRUCK PARKING STUDY I- ZONING MAP J- DRAFT ORDINANCE  ATTACHMENT A TRUCK COMPLAINTS THAT ARE NOT CODE VIOLATIONS Tractor-Trailer Parked Overnight in the Parking Lot of Concord Lanes • Not a Code violation because there are no restrictions on the size of commercial vehicles that can be parked on private property in the CGMU zoning district. 40-Foot Trailer Loaded with Golf Carts Parked on Public Street Next to School District Offices at 104 5th Avenue South • Not a Code violation because the owner moves the trailer every 20 hours and there are no restrictions on the size of commercial vehicles or trailers that can be parked next to a commercial property in the C-1 Retail Business zoning district.  ATTACHMENT B RELEVANT EXISTING CITY CODES Sec. 58-98. Length of parking. A vehicle may not be upon any street in any one place for a longer continuous period than 20 hours. Sec. 58-102. Truck parking restricted. (a) General rule. A person may not park a truck upon the public streets adjacent to any residence or any property zoned dwelling district or multiple dwelling district except for the purpose of loading or unloading, or transacting business at such residence or any residence in proximity thereto and then only for such period of time as is necessary to load or unload or to transact such business. As used in this section, the term "truck" means a truck, a tractor, a truck-tractor, a trailer, a semitrailer and a bus as those respective terms are defined in Minn. Stat. ch. 168. The term "truck" does not mean a trailer coach as defined in Minn. Stat. § 327.14(2), and does not mean a single unit truck with an unenclosed box (generally referred to as a pickup truck) having a gross weight not exceeding 10,000 pounds. As used in this section, the term "residence" means a building or structure used or occupied as a single-family dwelling, a two-family dwelling, or a multiple dwelling, and the land used in connection therewith. (b) Curb and street. A person may not park a tractor, truck-tractor, or semitrailer between the curb, or curbline in case there is no curb, and the street right-of-way line in any dwelling or commercial district, except for the purpose of loading or unloading and then for only such reasonable time as is necessary to load or unload. Sec. 118-8. Lots, distances, and definitions. Exterior storage (including open storage) means the storage of goods, materials, equipment, manufactured products and similar items not fully enclosed by a building. Oversized recreational vehicle means any recreational vehicle 23 feet or more in length or 9,000 pounds or more in empty weight. Passenger vehicle means any motor vehicle designed and used for carrying not more than 15 individuals, including the driver. A passenger vehicle includes a pickup truck, van and self-propelled recreational vehicle for use on the public streets or highways. A passenger vehicle does not include a, bus, school bus, commuter van, box truck, semitractor, farm truck, or a vehicle designed to operate exclusively on a railroad track. Recreation equipment means play apparatus such as swing sets and slides, sandboxes, poles for nets, unoccupied boats and trailers not exceeding 25 feet in length, picnic tables, lawn chairs, barbecue stands, and similar equipment or structures, but not including tree houses, swimming pools, playhouses exceeding 25 square feet in floor area, or sheds utilized for storage of equipment. Recreational vehicle means any self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle drawn by a self-propelled vehicle which is used for recreational or vacation activities and is not used as the residence of the owner or occupant. Recreational vehicles include, but are not limited to, snowmobiles, trail bikes or other all-terrain vehicles, hovercrafts, trailers, campers, motor homes, tent trailers, boats, personal watercrafts or motor vehicles licensed for highway operation which are being used for off-road recreational purposes. Sec. 118-352. General provisions. (d) Use of parking facilities. Off-street parking facilities accessory to residential uses shall be utilized solely for the parking of passenger vehicles. Under no circumstances shall require parking facilities accessory to residential structures be used for the parking of employees, owners, tenants, or customers of off-premises business or manufacturing establishments.  ATTACHMENT C TRUCK DEFINITIONS FROM MINNESOTA STATE STATUTE CHAPTER 168 168.002 DEFINITIONS. Subd. 4.Bus. (a) "Bus" means (1) every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 15 passengers including the driver and used for transporting persons, (2) every motor vehicle that is (i) designed for carrying more than ten passengers including the driver, (ii) used for transporting persons, and (iii) owned by a nonprofit organization and not operated for hire or for commercial purposes, or (3) every motor vehicle certified by the Department of Transportation as a special transportation service provider vehicle and receiving reimbursement as provided in section 256B.0625, subdivision 17. Subd. 30.Semitrailer."Semitrailer" means a vehicle of the trailer type so designed and used in conjunction with a truck-tractor that a considerable part of its own weight or that of its load rests upon and is carried by the truck-tractor and shall include a trailer drawn by a truck-tractor semitrailer combination. For the purpose of registration, trailers coupled with a truck-tractor, semitrailer combination are semitrailers. Subd. 34.Tractor. "Tractor" means any motor vehicle designed or used for drawing other vehicles but having no provision for carrying loads independently. Subd. 35.Trailer."Trailer" means any vehicle designed for carrying property or passenger on its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle but shall not include a trailer drawn by a truck-tractor semitrailer combination, or an auxiliary axle on a motor vehicle which carries a portion of the weight of the motor vehicle to which it is attached. For the purpose of registration, trailers coupled with a truck-tractor, semitrailer combination are semitrailers. Subd. 37.Truck. "Truck" means any motor vehicle designed and used for carrying things other than passengers, except pickup trucks and vans included within the definition of passenger automobile in subdivision 24. Subd. 38.Truck-tractor. "Truck-tractor" means: (1) a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not constructed to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load drawn; and (2) a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles used exclusively for transporting motor vehicles and capable of carrying motor vehicles on its own structure.  ATTACHMENT D ONE PAGE SUMMARY OF MNDOT 2019 TRUCK PARKING REPORT  ATTACHMENT E GRAPHIC SHOWING TRUCK TYPES BY GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING  ATTACHMENT F WEST ST. PAUL TRUCK BAN ORDINANCE § 71.04 TRUCK RESTRICTIONS. (C) Parking trucks over 9,000 pounds g.v.w. or trucks transporting hazardous substances. (1) No truck or commercial vehicle with a capacity over 9,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (“g.v.w.”), and no truck used to transport gasoline, fuel oil, or hazardous substance may be parked on any street or alley in the city for a period longer than 90 minutes or the time necessary to load or unload the truck if the truck is in the process of making a delivery. (2) No truck or commercial vehicle of any type over 12,000 pounds g.v.w., and no truck used to transport gasoline, fuel oil, or hazardous substances may be parked or stored on residential private property in the city for a period longer than 90 minutes, unless permission to do so is granted by permit from the Council, which must be renewed annually after its issue. (3) Exception to parking requirements. A truck or commercial vehicle of any type over 9,000 g.v.w. that is actively providing services to a property may park on the street or alley in front of or adjacent to the property to which the truck or commercial vehicle is providing services, provided that such parking does not prevent the flow of traffic or conflict with §§ 72,03, 72.04, or 72.05(A)(1) or (A)(2) of the city code. The parking requirements exception under this subdivision for a truck or commercial vehicle of any type over 9,000 g.v.w. shall terminate upon the conclusion of the services provided to the property.  ATTACHMENT G MINNEAPOLIS TRUCK BAN ORDINANCE 478.240. Parking of overweight vehicles and commercial vehicles and commercial passenger vehicles. (a) No vehicle or hitched or unhitched combination, with or without load, which weighs more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds or is registered for a gross weight of more than twelve thousand (12,000) pounds, nor any commercial vehicle or commercial passenger vehicle which is within or abutting, including across a street or alley from any residential zoning district or residential combination district, including office residential districts, as described in Title 20 of this code shall be permitted to stop, stand or park on any street unless one of the following conditions is met: (1) Such vehicle is actually and expeditiously engaged in the loading or unloading of passengers or materials from the vehicle; or (2) Such vehicle is stopped, parked, or standing in compliance with specially posted signals or signs regulating the weight of a vehicle or combination, or at the directions of an authorized traffic control agent or police officer. (b) No vehicle or hitched or unhitched combination, with or without load, which weighs more than twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds or is registered for a gross weight of more than twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds shall be permitted to stop, stand, or park on any street unless one of the following exceptions is met: (1) Such vehicle is actually and expeditiously engaged in the loading or unloading of passengers or materials from the vehicle; or (2) Such vehicle is stopped, parked, or standing in compliance with specially posted signals or signs regulating the weight of a vehicle or combination, or at the directions of an authorized traffic control agent or police officer.  ATTACHMENT H MYVILLAGER ARTICLE ABOUT CITY OF SAINT PAUL PARKING STUDY  City of South St Paul Zoning Map City of South St Paul Planning Department https://www.southstpaul.org/ 2 Hwy 5 Butler Co nc or d ATTACHMENT I Bromley ZONING MAP 23rd Ave 21st Ave 19th Ave 17th Ave 15th Ave Thompson 12th Ave Wentworth 4th St N nd Gra 2nd St N rdm Marie Ha 21st Ave 18th Ave 15th Ave 7th Ave 5th Ave 3rd Ave an 9th Ave 1st Ave Southview Concor our d Arm Hw 4th St S y5 2 6th St S Zoning Designations Residential Acres Percentage R1 - Single Family 530.47 18.1% R2 - Single and Two Family Residence District 718.31 24.5% 8th St S R3 - General Residence 29.45 1% R4 - Multifamily Residential District 82.32 2.8% Commercial C C1 - Retail Business District 40.88 1.4% GB - General Business District 129.88 4.4% I-494 CGMU1 - Concord Gateway Mixed Use District 1 54.93 1.9% CGMU2 - Concord Gateway Mixed Use District 2 10.97 .4% MMM1 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 1 6.08 .2% Richmond MMM2 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 2 27.57 .9% B Dale MMM3 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 3 6.42 .2% Syndicate MMM4 - Mixed Markets and Makers District 4 10.74 .4% 9th Ave 5th Ave Spruce 7th Ave 1st Ave Industrial A Henry I - Industrial District 562.06 19.2% I-1 - Light Industrial District 230.39 7.9% Poplar Other NRDD - North Riverfront Development District 21.06 .7% Con South cord MH - Mobile Home 6.76 .2% RT- Rail Transportation District 82.73 2.8% P - Park / Public 288.63 9.8% ROW - Right of Way 82.23 2.8% WAT - Water 11.49 .4% MRCCA - Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Airport Safety Zone A Total Airport Safety Zone B 2932.61 100% Airport Safety Zone C Primary Surface 4 PUD - Planned Unit Development Shoreland District Overlay 0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles This Zoning map is a representation of various maps and ordinances that make up the City of South St. Paul zoning code. Percentage of Acreage is calculated from county parcel data. Results are representational and not to be used for purposes other than zoning. For detail information pertaining to a specific property or zoning district, please contact the City of South St. Paul Planning Department at http://www.southstpaul.org/ Print Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Last Updated: April 5, 2023 MRCCA districts can be found on a separate PDF. Prepared by: South St Paul GIS  ATTACHMENT J DRAFT ORDINANCE City of South St. Paul Dakota County, Minnesota Ordinance No. 14XX AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT UPDATING PARKING REGULATIONS FOR LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES The City Council of the City of South St. Paul does ordain: SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. South St. Paul City Code Section 58-102 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 58-102. Truck and trailer parking restricted on public streets. (a) General rule. A person may not park a truck upon the public streets adjacent to any residence or any property zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, MMM, CGMU, or C-1 dwelling district or multiple dwelling district except for the purpose of loading or unloading, or transacting business at an adjacent property such residence or any residence in proximity thereto and then only for such period of time as is necessary to load or unload or to transact such business. As used in this section, the term "truck" means a truck, a tractor, a truck- tractor, a trailer, a semitrailer and a bus as those respective terms are defined in Minn. Stat. ch. 168. The term "truck" does not mean a trailer coach as defined in Minn. Stat. § 327.14(2), and does not mean a single unit truck with an unenclosed box (generally referred to as a pickup truck) having a gross weight not exceeding 10,000 pounds. As used in this section, the term "residence" means a building or structure used or occupied as a single- family dwelling, a two-family dwelling, a three-family dwelling, or a multifamily multiple dwelling, and the land used in connection therewith. (b) Curb and street. A person may not park a tractor, truck-tractor, or semitrailer between the curb, or curbline in case there is no curb, and the street right-of-way line in any dwelling or commercial district, except for the purpose of loading or unloading and then for only such reasonable time as is necessary to load or unload. (c) Trailers. No person may leave or park a trailer, including cargo or utility trailers, campers, and boat trailers upon a public street unless it is connected to a motor vehicle capable of drawing or transporting the trailer and that vehicle is able to be legally parked on the public street. This provision shall not apply to a trailer that is being lawfully used for short-term storage in accordance with a permit granted under Section 118-240(d). (1) No trailer shall be parked upon the public streets adjacent to any residence or any property zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, MMM, CGMU, or C-1 if it is 23 feet or more in length except for the purpose of loading or unloading or transacting business at an adjacent property and then only for such period of time as is necessary to load or unload  or to transact such business. This provision shall not apply to a mobile food unit which has a current license from the appropriate state regulatory authority when the mobile food unit is parked on a public street while actively operating. (2) Exterior storage of items on a trailer parked on the public streets adjacent to any residence or any property zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4 other than a boat, snowmobile, ATV, or similar vehicle is prohibited. SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. South St. Paul City Code Section 118-125 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 118-125. CGMU, Concord Gateway mixed-use district. (g) Parking. (1) Parking for residential units in the CGMU district shall be provided on site, and shall be calculated as required under article VII of this chapter. The residential parking spaces shall be specifically reserved for the use of residents and visitors only, separate from any commercial, office, or other uses on site or nearby, and shall not be counted as part of any shared parking or joint parking arrangement. Parking in driveways at the rear of townhomes may be counted towards the requirements of this regulation if it does not interfere with other traffic movement. (2) Parking for nonresidential uses shall be as required under article VII of this chapter. If present, on-street parking directly in front of a given building or lot shall count toward fulfilling the total parking requirement. (3) On-grade parking is prohibited in the front yard directly in front of a building. Parking shall be provided to the side or rear of buildings in midblock areas. (4) In the CGMU-1 subdistrict where parking fronts a public street, the maximum parking lot width shall be 65 feet measured at the lot frontage. (5) In the CGMU-2 subdistrict where parking fronts a public street, the maximum parking lot width shall be 130 feet, measured at the lot frontage. (6) Parking shall be prohibited within 50 feet of the intersection of any public streets within the CGMU district. (7) On the west side of Concord Street, outdoor parking of trucks and commercial vehicles in off-street facilities that are accessory to non-residential uses shall be limited to vehicles of not more than 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. South St. Paul City Code Section 118-125 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 118-126. C-1, retail business district. (h) Trash or garbage disposal. (i) Truck and commercial vehicle parking for nonresidential uses. Outdoor parking of trucks and other commercial vehicles shall be limited to operable, single rear axle vehicles of not more than fifteen thousand (15,000) pounds gross vehicle weight. (j) Prohibited uses. SECTION 4. AMENDMENT. South St. Paul City Code Section 118-352 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 118-352. General provisions. (d) Use of parking facilities. (1) Residential Uses. Off-street parking facilities accessory to residential uses shall be utilized solely for the parking of passenger vehicles. Under no circumstances shall required parking facilities accessory to residential structures be used for the parking of employees, owners, tenants, or customers of off-premises business or manufacturing establishments. (2) Truck and Commercial Vehicle Parking for Nonresidential Uses. a. Off-street parking facilities that are accessory to a nonresidential use in a residential zoning district shall be limited to operable, single rear axle vehicles of not more than fifteen-thousand (15,000) pounds gross vehicle weight. This regulation shall apply only to vehicles that are parked regularly at a site and shall not apply to pick-up and delivery activities or to the temporary use of vehicles during construction. b. The C-1 and CGMU zoning districts have restrictions on the size of trucks and commercial vehicles that can be parked outdoors in their off-street parking facilities. These rules, which are contained within the text of each zoning district, shall apply only to vehicles that are parked regularly at a site and shall not apply to pick-up and delivery activities, or to the temporary use of vehicles during construction. c. An institutional use, such as a church or school, may store up to one licensed and operable bus on the property provided that the property is at least 1 acre in size, even if that type of parking would not normally be allowed due to the other provisions of this code. The bus must be parked at least 5 feet from any property line on a paved parking surface. SECTION 2. SUMMARY PUBLICATION. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 412.191, in the case of a lengthy ordinance, a summary may be published. While a copy of the entire ordinance is available without cost at the office of the City Clerk, the following summary is approved by the City Council and shall be published in lieu of publishing the entire ordinance: This ordinance amendment updates the City’s rules for the parking of trucks and other large vehicles. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall become effective upon publication. Approved: _________________________ Published: _________________________ _____________________________________ Deanna Werner, City Clerk