October 23, 2026 - Planning Commission Meeting

The City of Saint Paul Planning Commission met on October 23, 2026. The main discussion was a staff presentation on proposed amendments to zoning code Chapter 64, governing signs. The proposal would eliminate 17 special sign districts, simplify and consolidate sign standards, add permit exemptions (including for hand-painted signs and murals), allow certain new sign types and limited off-premise advertising, and adjust sign-size allowances. Staff said analysis of 22 years of variance requests suggested the changes could reduce approved variances by 64.5% and denied variance requests by 43%. Commissioners discussed potential effects on advertising, murals, window coverage, and Skyway signage; no action was taken on the amendments. Staff plans to present the detailed text at a future meeting before public review and a later public hearing and recommendation.

The commission held its minutes due to a lack of quorum and reported no new business. A site-plan review meeting on October 20 had been canceled; the October 27 agenda was expected to include a parking-lot expansion at 2515 Wabash Avenue. No contract awards, purchasing decisions, budget allocations, or other procurement activity were identified, and no spending-related votes or action items were recorded.