Rulemaking: Possible rezoning of properties near the State Office Building
The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) has released a Request for Comments on potential amendments to the Capitol Area Zoning Map to rezone properties north of the State Office Building and next to the intersection of Rice St. and University Avenue. The Capitol Area Zoning Map is found in MN Rules, 2400.2105, Subp. 1 and Subp. 2.
The Board is reviewing a proposed renovation and expansion of the State Office Building. The expansion extends into Leif Erickson Park, which is currently zoned for G-2 (public open space). One of several requirements for the building to proceed is that the property be rezoned to G-1 (public buildings). CAAPB has a statutory charge to “protect, enhance, and increase open spaces within the Capitol Area...” Therefore, new open space areas are being proposed by the leaders of the project to compensate for the loss of open space created by the proposed State Office Building addition.
The Board invites public comment on the potential rezoning of three (3) land areas:
1. Land north of the State Office Building where an addition is planned: Rezone from G-2 (Public Open Space) to G-1 (Public Buildings).
2. Land on the southwest corner of Rice Street and University Avenue, with a size equal to or greater than 20,700 square feet: Rezone from G-1 (Public Buildings) to G-2 (Public Open Space).
3. Land on the northeast corner of Rice Street and University Avenue, with a size equal to or greater than 32,000 square feet: Rezone from G-1 (Public Buildings) to G-2 (Public Open Space).
The amount of new public open space added under 2 and 3 above must be equal to or exceed the amount of open space displaced by the addition in 1 above.
Interested persons or groups may submit comments on the potential zoning changes via the Office of Administrative Hearings Rulemaking e-comments website at https://minnesotaoah.granicusideas.com/discussions until 4:30 p.m. on May 13, 2023.
Written or oral comments, questions, and requests for more information on these possible rule changes may be directed to Peter Musty, Zoning Administrator, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, 204 Administration Building, 50 Sherburne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55155. Phone: 651-757-1501 or Email at peter.musty@state.mn.us.
Input from the Request for Comments will be considered by the CAAP Board when it decides whether or not to proceed with the rezoning. If the Board receives a formal rezoning application from the Department of Administration and votes to proceed*, then the details of the proposed rezonings (written as an amendment to the Capitol Area Zoning Map in MN Rules) will be released with a “Notice of Hearing” and a 30-day comment period. The tentative date for a public hearing by an Administrative Law Judge is June 28, 2023.
*Note: Rezoning (through Rulemaking) for the project cannot proceed unless the Board finds that the project is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan for the Capitol Area. At this time, the Board has not made that determination. Rulemaking has been initiated as a courtesy by CAAPB due to its procedural length and to provide the public with an opportunity for early comment in a fast-moving process.
