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4/14/23, 11:00 AM Duplexes, town homes, cluster developments: What you need to know about St. Paul's proposed zoning changes <br />The Planning Commission will host a public hearing on the proposal Friday at 8:30 a.m. <br />in room 40 at City Hall. More information on the proposed changes is available on the <br />city's website (https://www.atpaul.gov/departments/planning-and-economic- <br />development planning/current-activities/1-4-unit-housing-study. <br />After reviewing feedback, the commission will decide whether to recommend the zoning <br />amendments to the City Council. The public would have another chance to weigh in on <br />the proposed changes at a council hearing, likely in late spring or early summer. After <br />that, if the council votes in favor of the changes, the city would likely update some of its <br />processes to reflect the new laws. <br />City planners acknowledged that financing and building code requirements can create <br />challenges for small-scale projects, which may not be viable for large developers looking <br />to make a market rate return of 15% or more, according to the memo. If the changes <br />pass, staff said they would look for ways to engage and empower small-scale developers <br />and homeowners, who could use the additional units to house a relative or earn extra <br />income. <br />"We know construction costs are very expensive," Planning Director Luis Pereira said. <br />"So will this encourage some folks across the city to consider investing in an additional <br />unit on their property, or converting what they have now?" <br />"We expect this to continue to evolve as the market changes, as preferences change, as <br />the population ages, as the population gets more diverse," he said. <br />Katie Galioto is a reporter covering St. Paul City Hall for the Star Tribune. She previously covered the <br />Duluth/Superior region while based in the paper's bureau Up North. <br />katie.galioto@startribune.com 612-673-4478 katiegalioto <br />https://www.startribune.com/st-pauI-zoning-housing-single-family-duplex-triplex-accessory-dwelling-unit-development/600266823/ 4/4 <br />