Rezoning Plan Moves Forward in St. Paul

A plan that would change zoning along a key stretch of Marshall Avenue in St. Paul has been called both an upzoning and a downzoning. It's got a little bit of both.

1 minute read

September 21, 2018, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


St. Paul, Minnesota

Marshall Avenue where it intersects with Cretin Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota. | Google Streetview

"Over the past year, the city of St. Paul has studied possible zoning changes along 22 blocks — a two-mile stretch — of Marshall between Mississippi River Boulevard and Hamline Avenue, which could someday be connected by a possible bus rapid transit route," reports Frederick Melo.

"The proposed changes would allow more housing density than is currently permissible along several key intersections, including stretches of Marshall south of the Town & Country Club and east of Snelling Avenue," adds Melo. "It would also allow much less density than currently permitted within many residential blocks that are dotted by century-old houses but, to the surprise of many homeowners, were found to have been zoned for decades for five-story buildings."

The plan recently passed, by a close vote, through the planning commission. The City Council will vote on the project on September 26. Melo provides more details of the plan, and the political debate surrounding the plan, in the article.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 in Pioneer Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post