Trader Joe's, billboards debated in St. Paul

The Planning Commission will recommend a zoning change for the store but it will seek stricter conditions on new electronic signs.

By Chris Havens, Star Tribune

Last update: November 16, 2007 - 6:21 PM

The St. Paul Planning Commission took up two hot issues Friday: a proposed Trader Joe's grocery store and regulating electronic billboards.

Commissioners liked the idea of Trader Joe's but sought stricter requirements on new electronic billboards.

Now the City Council gets to make its own decisions.

Commissioners voted to recommend that the council approve a zoning change for the proposed development of a 1.27-acre site bounded by Randolph and Juno Avenues, Lexington Parkway and Interstate 35E. Budget gourmet grocer Trader Joe's has signed a letter of intent with Meridian Management and TOLD Development, which are partners in the deal.

The commission also approved conditional-use permits and variances sought for the development, which calls for a 14,400-square-foot building, as well as a separate 5,500-square-foot building that could house a coffee shop and other retail outlets.

Commissioners overwhelmingly voted in favor of the zoning change, but some had mixed feelings about the variances. Traffic patterns are a main concern.

A date for the issue to go before the City Council hasn't been set yet.

A first reading of a new proposed ordinance regulating electronic billboards will take place at the council's Wednesday meeting, with a public hearing on the matter likely in mid-December.

Planning Commission members amended the proposal to require that 6 square feet of lighted billboard space or 8 square feet of unlighted space be removed for every square foot of new electronic display space. Commissioners also voted to increase the time between display changes from eight seconds to 12 seconds.

A 12-month moratorium on electronic billboards in St. Paul expires in January.

Chris Havens • 651-298-1542

Chris Havens • chavens@startribune.com