NEWS FOR THE MACALESTER-GROVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD
IN THIS EDITION: Mac-Groveland Community Council Appeals Conditions for UST Expansion; Two Jobs Available at Mac-Groveland Community Council; Alley Garden Award Nominations; Register your National Night Out Party; Free Forum on Early Environmental Education; Upcoming Meetings --------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMUNITY COUNCIL APPEALS PLANNING COMMISSION'S CONDITIONS FOR SAINT THOMAS EXPANSION On June 10th, the Macalester-Groveland Community Council board voted to appeal the Planning Commission's Conditions for St. Thomas expansion. On Friday, the Community Council formally filed the appeal. The appeal will most likely be heard by the City Council on Wednesday, July 28th. Specifically, the Community Council believes the Planning Commission resolution did not give due recognition to efforts of the community to shape a thoughtful response to the expansion propsoal. For five years, community members have widley engaged in a deliberative process facilitated by the Community Council. After hearing from hundreds of individuals in a variety of forums, the Macalester-Groveland Community Council released its Report and Criteria for the Proposed Expansion of the University in 2001. In May 2004, the Community Council board reaffirmed the Criteria, with two amendments to address changes in St. Thomas' proposal. Unfortunately, the Planning Commission's 24-page Resolution approving the permit for expansion does not even reference the Criteria for Expansion the community worked so dilligently to shape. (see link to Resolution below) Similarly, the few Conditions cited in the Resolution are not reflective of the Macalester-Groveland Community Council's work establishing Criteria for the Expansion of the University. To varying extents, the Planning Commission decision falls short of meeting at least 7 of the 14 criteria, as is outlined in the appeal. You can read the full body of the Macalester-Groveland appeal for yourself at the first link below. The Community Council board supports the expansion of the University, but only if the Community Council's core 14 criteria are met. "The Macalester-Groveland Community Council has always been respectful of the University's needs and desire to improve its campus and facilities," the Council writes in its appeal, "and has always sought some expansion scenario that could address the interests of both the University and the neighborhood." The Macalester-Groveland Community Council was not the only group to appeal the Planning Commission's decision. The Merriam Park Community Council, Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association (SARPA), and the University of St. Thomas itself filed appeals by the Friday deadline. Though there is substantial overlap between several of the appeals, each group focuses on specific aspects for appeal. Watch the Villager, this News for the Neighborhood list, and our website for more information on how to engage the St. Thomas expansion appeal process. Questions about the Macalester-Groveland Community Council's involvement can be directed to Bob Spaulding, Community Organizer/Executive Director, at 651-695-4000. UST EXPANSION-RELATED DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ONLINE: The full body of the Community Council's appeal is online in PDF format at: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/UST%20CUP%20Appeal%20To%20City%20Council.pdf The Community Council's Report & Criteria on Expansion can be found at: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/Amended%20UST%20Report%205-04.pdf The Planning Commission Resolution being appealed can be found at: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/UST%20Planning%20Commission%20Resolution%206-4-2004.pdf The Conditional Use Permit passed by the Planning Commission on June 4th can be found at: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/Saint%20Thomas%20CUP.pdf Additional St. Thomas information can be found on our expansion information page at: http://www.macgrove.org/council/issues/stthomas.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------- TWO JOBS AVAILABLE AT COMMUNITY COUNCIL The Macalester-Groveland Community Council is hiring for two positions in Mac-Groveland: a half-time Chore Service Coordinator, and a full-time Crime Prevention & Youth Initiative Coordinator. Megan Simmons, who been with us for the last two and a half years, sadly is leaving us later this summer to pursue a graduate degree in nursing. We'll miss her! Crime Prevention/Youth Coordinator Position Description (full time): http://www.macgrove.org/CrimeYouthJune2004.pdf Chore Service Coordinator Position Description (part time): http://www.macgrove.org/ChoreServiceCoordinatorJune2004.pdf The deadline for application for both jobs is July 5th. --------------------------------------------------------------------- NOMINATE AN ADDRESS FOR THE 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED], or 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at 651-695-4000. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. For more information, contact Rachel Harris, Coordinator of Recycling and Home Improvement Programs, at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or 651-695-4000 --------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING MEETINGS 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 Erin Geary, KidsPark Lead Teacher Maren Skyberg, 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/
