Let’s Bring More Corner Stores to Saint Paul
Have you heard? Sustain Saint Paul is launching an advocacy campaign to support a more walkable, vibrant city filled with small-scale, locally owned businesses—like coffee shops, bodegas, and corner stores—in every neighborhood.
To make that vision a reality, we're pushing for the expansion of Traditional Neighborhood Districts (T Districts) in the city’s zoning code.
What’s a Traditional Neighborhood District?
T Districts re-legalize flexible, mixed-use development and include design standards that promote walkable, transit-friendly neighborhoods. In short: more places to grab coffee or groceries within walking distance—supported by more neighbors and better public transit. T-Districts return to a system that is simpler and more consistent than our current byzantine patchwork zoning, making it easier for local entrepreneurs to start a small business. You read that right: we’re fighting for something that used to exist in Saint Paul.
Want to understand why T Districts matter? Check out this three-part series by Sustain Co-Chair Luke Hanson on Streets.mn, or his brief 5-minute interview with MPR:
Allow Corner Stores and Coffee Shops in St. Paul’s Residential Zones
St. Paul resident says outdated zoning rules are holding cities back
Where Things Stand
The City of Saint Paul’s Planning Department is currently seeking public feedback on its recently completed T District zoning study. While the study doesn’t propose rezoning any specific areas just yet, planning staff have expressed openness to hearing from residents who have a more expansive vision of the use of T-Districts.
Currently, T-districts are limited to these locations. There are four types of T-Districts: T1, T2, T3, and T4. T1 is the least transformative, where T4 is the most by allowing taller building heights and a wider range of land uses.
Here are the top changes we would like to see:
Every current and future transit corridor should be rezoned into a T-District. This is the best way to achieve consistent, sustainable growth in our most critical neighborhoods.
The T1 District classification should be folded into T2. We believe T1 is unnecessary, as T2 offers a wider range of permitted uses and improved density standards.
How You Can Help!
Here’s how to make your voice heard:
Give verbal testimony in person at the Planning Commission hearing on Friday, July 11 at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall
Submit written testimony to Spencer.Miller-Johnson@stpaul.gov by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14
Want help with your testimony? Feel free to copy-paste these talking points:
Hello Planning Commissioners,
I am a Saint Paul resident at (address). I enthusiastically support the zoning amendments proposed by City staff in the recent Traditional Neighborhood district zoning study: the proposed updates are sensible ways to make the T districts more functional. I have two suggestions:
1. Consider folding the T1 district into the T2 district, which I believe has a superior set of permitted uses and standards.
2. I would like to see the Traditional Neighborhood zoning districts applied more broadly across the City, along current and future transit corridors and arterial streets. Please initiate a second zoning study that would propose more T zoning throughout Saint Paul.
Thank you for your service to the City of Saint Paul.
Want to further personalize your feedback? Use the city’s prompts to guide your response. You’re also welcome to borrow from our official statement to the Planning Commission below—or link to it directly in your comments.
Ready to take action?
Let us know by filling out the short form below—we’ll follow up directly with support to help you to participate confidently.
Thank you, as always, for your engagement! With your support, we can build a more shoppable, walkable, and sustainable Saint Paul.
Your Neighbors,
Sustain Saint Paul
