Title
Amending the appendix to Chapter 409 of the Legislative Code pursuant to section 17.07.1 of the Charter and section 409.16 of the Legislative Code to create a Commercial Development District, divided into four (4) quadrants, in and around the University and Snelling intersection that allows for seven (7) On-Sale Liquor Licenses, notwithstanding on-sale liquor licenses allowed under Chapter 409 of the Legislative Code or Minnesota Statutes, to be distributed among the four (4) quadrants as noted.
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SECTION 1
WHEREAS, The owner of Dilla Sports Bar and Ethiopian Restaurant (“Owner”) at 1625 University Avenue West in the City of Saint Paul spoke to the Department of Safety and Inspections (“Department”) about the creation of a Commercial Development District so that Dilla could sell and serve alcoholic drinks to customers until 2:00 a.m.; and
WHEREAS, The Owner recognized the connection between their request and the overlying value to create a Commercial Development District within the University and Snelling area; and
WHEREAS, The Department met and discussed with businesses, property owners, District Councils, and the Midway Chamber of Commerce staff to discuss the creation of a University and Snelling Commercial Development District pursuant to Saint Paul City Charter § 17.07.1 and Saint Paul Legislative Code § 409.16; and
WHEREAS, The proposed University and Snelling Commercial Development District means that portion of the City of Saint Paul lying within and bounded by the following: Beginning at the intersection of University Avenue West and Aldine Street, proceeding north until the alley, then proceed easterly to the westerly property line of parcel 332923140069, proceed north along west property line and then east to northeast corner of parcel, proceed north along the alley parallel to Snelling Avenue to Thomas Avenue West, proceed east and then south on Snelling Avenue until Edmund Avenue West, proceed east until the alley, then south until the northeast corner of parcel 342923230226, proceeding south along east side of parcel and the parcels of 342923230164, 342923230165, 342923230166, 342923230175, and 342923230176 until alley, proceeding east along alley parallel to University Avenue until Pascal Street North, proceed south to Saint Anthony Avenue then proceed west to Snelling Avenue and then proceed north on Snelling Avenue until the south property line of parcel 332923410132, follow south property line to west property line, proceed north along property line as well as west property line of 332923410133, until Spruce Tree Drive, proceed west until Fry Street, then north until the southern property line of 332923410128, proceed west to Pierce Street and then proceed north to University Avenue and then proceed west to the intersection of University Avenue West and Aldine Street; and
WHEREAS, After community discussion and consideration of the existing land use and activities in the area, it was determined that the area around the intersection of University Avenue and Snelling Avenue would benefit from a greater intensity of use, and boundaries for the University and Snelling Commercial Development District were proposed and divided into four (4) quadrants that are described in Exhibit #1 and depicted in Exhibit #2; and
WHEREAS, On September 9, 2026, the Saint Paul City Council approved RES 26-1445 (herein incorporated as Exhibit #3), which waived the petition requirement stated in Saint Paul Legislative Code § 409.16, allowing the Commercial Development District to move forward for consideration; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Legislative Code § 409.16(c) requires that the planning commission be “consulted for advice concerning the proposals for consistency with the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances, and the planning commission must report in writing to the city council its findings and recommendations”; and
WHEREAS, The report containing the findings and recommendations of the planning commission is herein incorporated as Exhibit #4; and
WHEREAS, The final resolution of the Planning Commission is herein incorporated as Exhibit #5; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul City Charter § 17.07.1(1)(b) states that “Reasonable public notice of the proposed commercial development district shall be given by the license inspector to residents and organizations in the ward or wards in which said district is to be located”; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Legislative Code § 409.16(d) states that “mailed notice thereof must be given by the department of safety and inspections to all owners of land within the new or area of the expanded district. Published notice must be made at lease twenty (20) days in advance of the public hearing”; and
WHEREAS, Such notice was given by the Department and is herein incorporated as Exhibit #6; and
WHEREAS, Such notice was given by the City Clerk and is herein incorporated as Exhibit #7; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Saint Paul City Charter § 17.07.1(1)(c), a public hearing was conducted before the City Council on October 7 and 14, 2026, at which all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has considered all the facts and recommendations concerning the application for the University and Snelling Commercial Development District; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby ordain:
SECTION 2
That the Council finds that the notice provisions under Saint Paul Legislative Code § 409.16 have been satisfied by RES 26-1445 (waiving the petition requirement), the planning commission report and resolution, the Department’s notice, and the City Clerk’s publication.
SECTION 3
That the University and Snelling Commercial Development District shall be created and divided into four (4) quadrants, as shown in Exhibit #2 and attached to and incorporated by reference in this ordinance pursuant to Saint Paul City Charter § 17.07.1 and Saint Paul Legislative Code § 409.16. The legal description of the University and Snelling Commercial Development District and its division into four (4) quadrants is attached herein as Exhibit #1.
This district, quadrants, and its legal description shall appear in the Appendix to Chapter 409 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
SECTION 4
That the four (4) quadrants of the University and Snelling Commercial Development District shall in total be limited to no more than seven (7) On Sale Liquor Licenses, notwithstanding on-sale liquor licenses allowed by right (non-grandfathered) under Chapter 409 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code and Minnesota Statutes, and issued in the following manner: On Sale Liquor Licenses of any type may be issued as no more than two (2) total in the NW quadrant, no more than two (2) total in the NE quadrant, no more than one (1) total in the SW quadrant, and no more than one (1) total in the SE quadrant. In addition, no more than one (1) restaurant (2:00 a.m.) on-sale liquor license in NW quadrant.
SECTION 5
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval, and publication.