NEWS FOR THE MACALESTER-GROVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD: Position Statement on & Criteria for the Expansion of the University of St. Thomas
------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the past five years, through countless meetings, hearings and deliberations attended by hundreds of individuals, the Macalester-Groveland Community Council has engaged the community in a broad and representative discussion of the proposed expansion of the University. Based on these discussions, the Community Council released its 2001 "Report and Criteria" regarding the expansion. The "Report and Criteria" has provided clear guidance to the University in understanding the neighborhood's expectations for any expansion. In March, the University took a step forward in the process, and applied to revise its Conditional Use Permit (CUP), the zoning tool that governs land use on college campuses in the City. In response to St. Thomas' current application to revise its Conditional Use Permit (CUP), the Community Council voted on Thursday, May 13th to reaffirm the principles in the "Report and Criteria". At that time, a few amendments were made to our criteria to address recent changes made in St. Thomas' plan. Our finalized "Report and Criteria" can be found at http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/Amended%20UST%20Report%205-04.pdf As the "Report and Criteria" shows, THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS THE EXPANSION OF ST. THOMAS, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. However, it is important to note that there remain significant differences between the St. Thomas application and the Community Council's position. ST. THOMAS' PROPOSAL CONTRADICTS A NUMBER OF CRITERIA WE SET FORTH, INCLUDING: 2. The University's student enrollment, as presently calculated, shall not exceed 8,000 (part time and full time graduate, undergraduate and audit) students on its Saint Paul campus for the next 20 years from the date the CUP revision takes effect. 6. The University must agree that within two years it will sell 50 and 54 South Cretin Avenue. The University shall further agree that it shall not acquire any properties within 1 mile of the campus boundary for a period of 20 years from the date the CUP revision takes effect. If the University is gifted or bequeathed any properties in this area, it shall agree to sell any such properties within two years. (The University wishes to own the President's house nearby the campus on Summit Avenue. Further, the University would only agree to not acquire property within 1 mile of the campus boundary for only 10 years, not for 20 as the criterion stipulates). 11. The existing houses facing Summit Avenue on the West Block shall not be demolished nor have their facades significantly altered. (Of the eleven houses on Summit Avenue on the West Block, the University would like to demolish seven, leaving four houses). 12. The Traditional and South Campuses are the only appropriate places for all parking lots, ramps, or garages of more than 250 parking spaces per lot, ramp, or garage. (The University states that it would like to build a 340 space ramp under the East Block). 13. All new construction on the south side of Summit Avenue between Cleveland and Cretin Avenues shall be set back a minimum of 60 feet from the right-of-way line. (The University plans a "stepped" design for the academic buildings on the East Block. The first floor would be set back 42 feet, second floor would be set back 85 feet, and third floor would be set back 100 feet). 14. Residential buildings facing Grand Avenue located on the East Block and West Block shall not contain more than 100 housing units nor house more than 200 residents. (The University would like to construct 141 units, which would house 430 students on Grand Avenue. There would be quads with a mixture of double units on Grand.) The proposal will be concurrently reviewed by the Planning Commission (for zoning/land-use issues) and the Heritage Preservation Commission (to review its compliance with the terms of the West Summit Avenue Heritage Preservation District). Any decision of the Planning Commission or Heritage Preservation Commission may then be appealed to the full City Council, who have the final judgment in the matter. Any final appeal to the City Council should be wrapped up by the end of August 2004. The Planning Commission and City Council have the clear right either to reject the University's proposal for a revised CUP, to modify it, or to accept it, being bound only by the provisions of applicable ordinances and other laws and statutes. Given the volume of citizen input into our Report and Criteria, we are asking that the relevant bodies review this application with all possible care and consideration. We are encourage them to use these powers thoughtfully and deliberately. Additional resources about the Saint Thomas Expansion are available on our website at http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/stthomas.htm. If you have questions on Macalester-Groveland Community Council's position and involvement with the issue, or about future opportunities for involvement in the deliberation process, please email Bob Spaulding at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or alternatively call him at 651-695-4000. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING ST. THOMAS-RELATED MEETINGS OF NOTE: May 20th, 2004 - 5:00 - City Hall, Lower Level Room 40 Public Hearing on the demolition of the Christ Child Building at the Heritage Preservation Commission, and possible hearing on the construction of the new business building on the site. May 27th, 2004 - 3:00 - City Hall Council Chambers, 3rd Floor Hearing at the Zoning Committee of the Planning Commission on St. Thomas' application to revise its Conditional use permit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CORE MAC-GROVELAND COMMUNITY COUNCIL CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS: 1. For a period of no less than 30 years from the date the revised SCUP takes effect, the University must agree that it shall not petition to close Finn Street between Summit and Grand Avenues and that Finn Street between Summit and Grand Avenues shall remain a public street open to two-way traffic. 2. The University's student enrollment, as presently calculated, shall not exceed 8,000 (part time and full time graduate, undergraduate and audit) students on its Saint Paul campus for 20 years from the date the revised SCUP takes effect. 3. Any proposed expansion plan must provide specific steps to be taken to reduce University user parking on residential streets. 4. Pedestrian and motorist safety in crossing Summit Avenue and Cretin Avenue must be addressed in any proposed expansion plan. 5. The Traditional and South Campuses are the only appropriate places for all larger academic buildings, i.e., those buildings of more than 75,000 gross square feet in size. Up to 75,000 square foot buildings are permissible on the East Block so long as no more than two buildings of this size are constructed on the Block. 6. The University must agree that within two years it will sell 50 and 54 South Cretin Avenue. The University shall further agree that it shall not acquire any properties within 1 mile of the campus boundary for a period of 20 years from the date the revised SCUP takes effect. If the University is gifted or bequeathed any properties in this area, it shall agree to sell any such properties within two years. 7. New residential buildings constructed on the north side of Grand Avenue shall not have more than three floors nor exceed 40 feet in height (this limitation is to be an absolute maximum; it shall be measured to the top of the ridge and shall include all mechanical equipment.) 8. No above-grade parking structure shall be constructed on either the East Block or the West Block. 9. Any new construction along Summit Avenue must respect the unique and historic nature and character of Summit Avenue. 10. New housing units on the north side of Grand Avenue between Cretin and Cleveland Avenues shall be for the use of a mix of graduate students, undergraduate students with RA's, faculty, and staff. 11. The existing houses facing Summit Avenue on the West Block shall not be demolished nor have their facades significantly altered. 12. The Traditional and South Campuses are the only appropriate places for all parking lots, ramps, or garages of more than 250 parking spaces per lot, ramp, or garage. 13. All new construction on the south side of Summit Avenue between Cleveland and Cretin Avenues shall be set back a minimum of 60 feet from the right-of-way line. 14. Residential buildings facing Grand Avenue located on the East Block and West Block shall not contain more than 100 housing units nor house more than 200 residents. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY MAC-GROVELAND COMMUNITY COUNCIL: -> All new buildings constructed with Grand Avenue frontage shall be residential buildings only; no commercial buildings fronting Grand Avenue shall be allowed (excepting only the Oasis Market property at the northwest corner of Cleveland and Grand Avenues. -> All new residential buildings constructed along the north side of Grand Avenue shall be set back a minimum of 30 feet from the right-of-way line. -> Any proposal to include the West Block within the campus boundary shall require compliance with the condition in the existing SCUP, which reads: "a future adjustment of the campus boundary to include any or all of this block should be based on development plans for the property and evaluation of those plans for the impact on remaining non-college residential uses in the block." -> There shall be no auditorium or gathering place with a capacity of more than 250 persons constructed on either the East Block or the West Block. -> No underground parking ramp constructed on either the East Block or the West Block shall contain more than 250 parking spaces. -> Any new buildings constructed on the East Block shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from Cleveland Avenue and a minimum of 50 feet from Finn Street. -> The City of Saint Paul should change the ratio of beds and employees to parking spaces to reflect University of St. Thomas' impact on this neighborhood. -> Undergraduate student housing shall be concentrated primarily on the Traditional and South Campuses. -> Any new buildings constructed on the West Block shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from Cretin Avenue and a minimum of 50 feet from Finn Street. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This informational e-mail was sent by the Macalester-Groveland Community Council, located in the Edgcumbe Recreation Center at 320 South Griggs Street in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Macalester-Groveland Community Council serves Citizen Participation Planning District 14 in Saint Paul, the area bordered by Summit Avenue, the Mississippi River, Randolph Avenue and Ayd Mill Road/I-35E. Call our office (651-695-4000) with any questions or concerns you may have! Please let us know if you'd rather not receive these updates and we'll be happy to take you off our list. Bob Spaulding, Community Organizer/Executive Director Rachel Harris, Coordinator of Recycling and Home Improvement Programs Megan Simmons, Coordinator of Crime Prevention, Youth Initiative and Chore Service Programs Becky Klay, KidsPark Director/Lead Teacher Erin Geary, KidsPark Assistant Teacher Chis Oionen Eheren, KidsPark Infant Teacher Bethany Gladhill, Accountant _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
