The porchlite
News from the Summit University Neighborhood
The porchlite
 Higher Ground Academy is a K-12 charter school located at 1381 Marshall Avenue in Saint Paul. The current location serves approximately 600 students, mainly of East African descent. The Higher Ground Academy is exploring relocating the middle and high school programs to a new location at 317 Marshall Avenue, at the CLC building site currently occupied by Saint Paul College. Project Scope Approximately 10,000 square feet of an existing one-story building on the site will be remodeled, and 35,000 square feet of new construction will be added to the site to accommodate 450 students in the 7-12 charter school program. The design for the new building will use materials and colors that complement the neighborhood and Saint Paul College. Construction is to start in the fall of 2018 and be completed for occupancy in the fall of 2019. Higher Ground Academy and Saint Paul College hope to create a collaborative partnership in developing a new building and curriculum at this site, that will flexibly work for both institutions. Zoning Variances The school will be applying to the City of St. Paul for a few zoning variances for the project. The required zoning variances are: • The proposed building footprint will cover more than the 30% of the site. • The rear yard setback next to the parking area will be less than the required 25’. • Parking will be accommodated through a shared parking agreement with St. Paul College. They will be holding a community forum to discuss their project, and they will be also meeting with our Neighborhood Development Committee. At this time, we are unsure when their hearings will be scheduled, but we intend to update this as soon as those dates are set. March 19, 2018 Community Forum Night, 7 pm Saint Paul College, Room 1510 March 20, 2018 Meeting with Neighborhood Development Committee, 6 pm Very limited space.
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 393 Marshall is where the Boy Scouts headquarters currently is, on the corner of Marshall and Western. The applicant (Exeter Group) is interested in demolishing the current structure and building housing on the lot.
Their first step was applying for a rezoning of the property from OS (Office Service) to T2 Residential. It has been granted, and they are able to move ahead with their project. You can read more about this step in their process: http://www.summit-university.org/the-porchlite-blog/393-marshall-ave-following-neighborhood-matters We will be sharing more details as they come to us. At this point, they do not anticipate that they will need to apply for any variances. March 20, 2018 Sharing their current site plans with our Neighborhood Development Committee April 12, 2018 The Exeter Group will be sharing their site plans at the SUPC Community Forum night, 6:30 pm at 627 Selby Ave (call 651-228-1855 for info) If you have any comments or concerns please feel to reach out to: jens@summit-university.org Senior housing, new church planned for Selby & Grotto
Big changes could soon be coming to 739 Selby Ave.
If the City of St. Paul approves a zoning change for the property, the Morning Star Baptist Church would be demolished to make room for a new church structure and 95 units of senior housing. The Summit-University Planning Council (SUPC) has voted to support the rezoning application submitted by PDMC LLC and Morningstar Baptist Church, to rezone 739 Selby from B2 Community Business to T2 Traditional Neighborhood. According to the letter, SUPC is “very supportive of their efforts to work with the community on this project, and involve them in the planning process. We look forward to working with their team as they begin to solidify their site plans.” According to the Villager newspaper, preliminary plans call for “an affordable mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom senior apartments, a full continuum of care, including independent and assisted living, memory care and extended care.” The facility would also feature common spaces including “a dining room, club room, coffee shop, wellness center, library, community room and theater,” according to the Villager. In addition to the senior housing, the property would also include a 6,600-square-foot church with space for about 240 members. The new facility would have room for 96 parked cars with 30 spaces off the alley and another 66 underground. The city is currently accepting neighborhood feedback on the rezoning application and plans to hold a public hearing on Feb. 7. February 7 Saint Paul City Council public hearing- 3 pm at Saint Paul City Hall, 15 Kellogg Blvd. W. If you have any comments or concerns you are able to participate by writing our Ward 1 City Council Office: ward1@ci.stpaul.mn.us or 310-A City Hall 15 Kellogg Blvd. West Saint Paul, MN 55102 Or you can write to us and we will forward your letter! jens@summit-university.org  393 Marshall is where the Boy Scouts headquarters currently is, on the corner of Marshall and Western. The applicant (Exeter Group) is interested in purchasing the property, demolishing the current structure, and building housing on the lot.
At this time, they have only applied to rezone the lot at 393 Marshall from OS (office) to T2 (residential). If the property is rezoned, they will begin to develop their site plans. You can find more information about the city's zoning code here: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/general-intent-zoning-code Their application was filed in early November, and notice was sent to neighbors close to the property. They met with SUPC at our November 14 Neighborhood Development Committee meeting, and SUPC officially voted to oppose the application. The basis for this decision was that we felt there was not enough contact or conversation with neighbors leading up to this major change, and opposed moving forward without community discussion. SUPC sent a formal letter to the City explaining this decision and concern. Their Saint Paul Zoning Committee hearing was on November 21, where they voted to support the rezoning application. Their next steps will be: February 7 Saint Paul City Council public hearing- 3 pm at Saint Paul City Hall, 15 Kellogg Blvd. W. February 8 SUPC Community Forum night, 6:30 pm at 627 Selby Ave (call 651-228-1855 for info) If you have any comments or concerns you are able to participate by writing our Ward 1 City Council Office: ward1@ci.stpaul.mn.us or 310-A City Hall 15 Kellogg Blvd. West Saint Paul, MN 55102 Or you can write to us and we will forward your letter! jens@summit-university.org |
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