NEWS FOR THE MACALESTER-GROVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD
IN THIS EDITION: Planning Commission Approves UST CUP; Board Meeting Thursday; Alley Garden Awards; National Night Out Registration; Recycling Reminder; Early Childhood Enviro Education Forum; Grid 8 Position Available; Congrats to Teen Battle of Bands Winners; Upcoming Meetings ----------------------------------------------------- PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES ST THOMAS CUP The Saint Paul Planning Commission last week approved the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the expansion of the University of Saint Thomas campus on a 15-3 vote. The Planning Commission made two notable alterations to Saint Thomas' application, which bring it closer to the Community Council's Criteria for expansion. Specifically: "St Thomas shall agree not to purchase additional properties in residential areas within one mile of the campus, with the exception of a new residence for the president, during the period of construction and for a period of at least 10 years after the completion of construction of the two block development area. If property is bequeathed to St. Thomas, it shall dispose of the property and return it to a conforming use within two years." "In accordance with the 1990 special conditional use permit, enrollment at the Saint Paul campus shall not exceed 10,000 students. Upon such time enrollment exceeds 8,000 students, St. Thomas shall report to the Commission for additional review and conditions." However, the Planning Commission did not address four of the Community Council's criteria: Preserving all 11 homes on the West Block along Summit; limiting parking structures on the two blocks to 250 spaces; setting back new construction a minimum of 60 feet along Summit; and ensuring new residential buildings on Grand have no more than 100 units, nor house more than 200 students. These Criteria are outlined in the 2001 Report and Criteria on the St. Thomas Expansion (revised 2004), linked below. The Planning Commission decision is almost certainly going to be appealed by one or more entities to the City Council, who will hear the appeal in mid-summer. Barring a legal challenge, the City Council decision stands as final in the matter. Stay tuned to this email newsletter for more information. ST THOMAS EXPANSION DOCS AVAILABLE ON MACGROVE.ORG: St Thomas Conditional Use Permit, Passed 6/4/2004: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/Saint%20Thomas%20CUP.pdf St Thomas Resolution Passed 6/4/2004 by Planning Commission: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/UST%20Planning%20Commission%20Resolution%206-4-2004.pdf Mac-Groveland Letter to Planning Commission, 5/2004: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/Letter%20to%20Planning%20Commission%20on%20UST%20Expansion%205-2004.pdf Report and Criteria of Community Council on St Thomas Expansion, updated 5/2004: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/Amended%20UST%20Report%205-04.pdf St Thomas overview page: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/stthomas.htm -------------------------------------------------------------- BOARD MEETING THIS THURSDAY The Macalester-Groveland Community Council's monthly board meeting will be held this Thursday, June 10th, 2004 at 7pm at the Edgcumbe Recreation Center, 320 S Griggs St. All are welcome to attend. Agenda items this month include: election of Grid 8 representative; discussion of district council funding; a brief discussion of the Community Council response to St. Thomas expansion plans; a discussion about Mac-Groveland's visual identity & logo; and several community presentations, including on Groveland Park's Community Garden, Development at Lexington and University and its impact on Lexington Avenue, and a campaign to bring to voters any decision to spend over $10 million on a sports stadium. A full agenda is available at: http://www.macgrove.org/council/agendasandminutes/Board%20Agenda%202004-06-10.pdf -------------------------------------------------------------- ALLEY GARDEN AWARDS Each year, the Macalester Groveland Community Council's Beautification Committee recognizes residents who contribute to neighborhood beautification and crime prevention through their efforts on alley gardens. The four criteria that must be met to win an award follow: 1. The property must be in Macalester-Groveland and have an easily recognizable house number on the garage (or elsewhere on the alley if there is no garage). 2. The garden must be along the alley and on the alley side of the fence, if there's a fence. 3. The alley garden must be weed-free and well-maintained. 4. The alley side of the property must positively contribute to the character and beauty of the alley by being litter-free, weed-free and neat. Volunteers will be walking through each alley to nominate gardens from July 6 to July 13. You may also nominate your alley garden or a neighbor's by contacting the Community Council office between June 28 and July 4. For more information contact Megan Simmons, Crime Prevention Coordinator at 651-695-4000. -------------------------------------------------------------- REGISTER YOUR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PARTY National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, August 3rd this year. The first 30 block parties in Macalester-Groveland to register with the community council office will be signed up for a visit from the Prize Patrol, receive goodies and crime prevention information, as well as be entered into a prize drawing for your block. If you are planning to hold your block's party on National Night Out, and want to block off the street, permits are due by Thursday, July 1 (this is a change from June 9th). Permits can be obtained online at www.ci.stpaul.mn.us or by calling Megan Simmons, Crime Prevention Coordinator, at 651-695-4000. -------------------------------------------------------------- RECYCLING REMINDER The next two recycling dates in Macalester-Groveland are Friday, June 11 and 18. Please set out your recycling by 7 am. -------------------------------------------------------------- FREE FORUM ON EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION The Macalester-Groveland Community Council's Environment Committee presents "The Effects of Early Childhood Environmental Education on Communities," July 6, 2004, 7:00 P.M., Macalester College - Olin Rice 250. The lecture is presented by Natalie Dube and Laura Evans; both are Teacher/Naturalists at Dodge Nature Preschool. All are welcome to attend this free forum co-sponsored by Macalester College's E-Funk and the Mac Greens. -------------------------------------------------------------- BOARD POSITION AVAILABLE FOR GRID 8 RESIDENTS There is an opening on the Macalester-Groveland Board for a resident in Grid 8. Elections for this grid will be held at our June 10th Board Meeting, which will be held at 7pm at the Edgcumbe Recreation Center, 320 S. Griggs St. Anyone interested is asked to call Bob Spaulding, Community Organizer/Executive Director at 651-695-4000, or email him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------- CONGRATS TO TEEN BATTLE OF BANDS WINNERS Congratulations to the winners of the Mac-Groveland Teen Battle of the Bands at Grand Old Day Sunday! A record 52 entries were rereceivedhis year. First place went to Dubiously Grand, second place to Cole Allen and Flash Flood, and third place to Scrapper Law. Thanks also to our sponsors, including Acme Deli, Grand Avenue Business Association, Zimmerman's Dry Goods, Musictech College, Cadenza Music, Music Go Round, Willie's American Guitars, Ruminator Books, and the High Winds Fund of Macalester College. -------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING MEETINGS Board of Directors - Thursday, June 10th at 7pm; KidsPark Parent Advisory Committee (KPAC) - Monday, June 21st at 6:30 at KidsPark; Housing & Land Use Committee - Wednesday, June 23rd at 7pm; Environment Committee - Thursday, June 24th at 7pm; Transportation Committee - Monday, June 28th at 7pm. All meetings are held at the Edgcumbe Recreation Center, 320 S. Griggs St. unless otherwise noted. -------------------------------------------------------------- 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/
