To encourage urban-style development along the proposed Central Corridor light-rail line, a coalition of businesses and neighborhood groups wants St. Paul to ban big-box retailers, fast-food chains and large parking lots on University Avenue.

The city's Central Corridor Task Force will discuss tonight a proposal by University United to temporarily change the city's zoning code and encourage transit-oriented development (TOD) along the line: multi-level mixed-use buildings that go up rather than out, with limited parking to encourage walking and the use of mass transit.

Brian McMahon, president of University United, said current zoning doesn't provide for higher-density development. "How [is the Metropolitan Council] going to send an application for light-rail funding if we have zoning that doesn't even allow TOD?" he said.

The Met Council recently applied for federal funding to build the 11-mile, $930 million Central Corridor line, expected to be completed in 2014. A city applying for federal funding for this type of project must have higher-density zoning with reduced parking.

But some city officials oppose University United's proposal, or think it's premature to restrict development before the task force completes its overall development strategy in February.

"I just think it's too early" for a zoning district, said council member Debbie Montgomery, who returned Wednesday from a trip to Chicago, where she surveyed transit lines. "I just think we need to look at it more."

Design concerns

The other challenge for planning officials is to define what transit-oriented development means for the light-rail line between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

"There isn't just one cookie-cutter formula for what's [described as] TOD," said Steve Dornfeld of the Met Council.

McMahon's group wants developments surrounding the proposed line to be taller than two stories and have minimal parking space. And he'd like the city to block new big-box outlets by retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart, which are already on University Avenue.

The zoning district proposed by University United would run along University Avenue and generally extend one block on either side of the light-rail line.

Past University Avenue projects built without zoning changes have encouraged people to use public transit, said Cecile Bedor, executive director of the city's Planning and Economic Development Department, which opposes McMahon's proposal. But she said that the idea has prompted good dialogue about the line.

Montgomery questioned why any group wants to change the zoning code when the Central Corridor Task Force only began meeting a few months ago. She said taller buildings on University Avenue could block views for residents on either side of the proposed light-rail line. And new design standards required in University United's proposal might also make home improvements more expensive, she said.

Both sides agree, however, that the Central Corridor will be a worthwhile investment for the city. Said McMahon: "Development will come and will add to the tax base of the community."

Myron P. Medcalf • 651-298-1546 • mmedcalf@startribune.com