Planning Commission OKs ADUs Citywide in St. Paul

The City Council will still have to approve the likely controversial idea of allowing accessory dwelling units citywide in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1 minute read

July 18, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Frederick Melo reports that the city of St. Paul is advancing a plan that could allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) citywide.

A plan approved unanimously by the St. Paul Planning Commission in June expanded on an initial study into allowing ADUs in five neighborhoods of the city, according to Melo.

The full City Council is scheduled to consider the ADU ordinance in August. Melo quotes Andy Rorvig, president of the Summit Hill Association, who is organizing a meeting to marshal feedback on the proposed ADU ordinance. Rorvig expresses concern about the process of drafting the ordinance, new density, short-term rentals, and parking.

According to Melo, only one ADU has been built in the city since St. Paul started permitting the structures in 2014. A 2016 ordinance allowed ADUs along the Metro Green Line light rail line.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Pioneer Press

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