Expanding housing options, preserving trees, visioning our future, and more

Summer greetings!

Here’s city-related news for residents of Ward 1 and beyond. 
 
Expanding housing options in SLP: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing options – it’s one of our five strategic priorities. But did you know that across 80% of the land area in SLP, only detached, single-family homes are currently allowed? That’s created barriers to expanding housing options across the city that cater to a broad spectrum of demographics, lifestyles, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Our zoning code dictates what type of housing is permitted in the city, and where. To adapt to our changing world and meet our housing goals, council is planning updates to our zoning code that will support expanded housing options across the city. These changes will allow for greater density citywide while also ensuring new housing types fit well together. 

City staff have created a comprehensive, user-friendly website on the proposed changes that includes maps, photos, and helpful charts. I encourage you to take time to explore the site and share your views via the site’s interactive tools. Council will vote on zoning code updates this fall. 

Vision 4.0: Those five strategic priorities referenced above (which are racial equity, sustainability, housing, mobility, and social capital)? They were determined through a community visioning process way back in 2016/2017 and have guided planning, decision-making, and allocation of community resources in SLP for nearly a decade. Now, it's time to update and reshape the community vision that will guide us for the next ten years. Vision 4.0 will launch this summer with opportunities for everyone in the community to participate. Please sign up for updates on Vision 4.0 here and plan to participate in some way!

Preserving Trees: Trees are critical to the health of our urban environment and planet. I know people are frustrated when trees are removed for development projects – me too, particularly when they’re mature, healthy trees. In recent years, council and staff have strengthened our commitment to preserving and growing the tree canopy in SLP, with a proposed goal of 30% canopy cover by the end of 2035 and 35% by the end of 2045. We're also planning to add a heritage tree definition and removal restrictions for heritage trees, among other actions to plant and protect trees. Learn about the city's current tree programs here.
 
Best summer ever in Ward 1: Runway repair work at the MSP airport has the north runway closed and blissful quiet over much of Ward 1 this summer, with work anticipated to be completed in September. Next summer, work on the south runway will result in more air traffic than normal over Ward 1 while Ward 2 enjoys the quiet. Learn about the airport's Noise Oversight Committee Quarterly Listening Sessions here. 

Environmental Stewardship Resources: SLP's Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2018, is among the most ambitious in the nation on a local level. City staff recently launched an interactive dashboard that highlights and tracks our progress toward the plan's goals. Other new & interesting resources available on the city’s Sustainability page include a pollinator habitat map, electric vehicle charger map, solar suitability map, and more. Check those out here.

Accomplishing our Climate Action Plan goals requires the participation of residents, businesses and organizations throughout the community. You can help by arranging a meeting of your neighborhood, congregation, business, nonprofit, or other group and inviting sustainability staff to present on rebates, subsidies, and other resources available to save money and promote sustainability. Request a presentation to your group by filling out this form. 

Boards & Commissions applications opening soon: SLP’s boards and commissions provide unique opportunities for residents to serve the community. They can also serve as a steppingstone to serving on City Council. Council and staff recently refreshed the program with the goal to make board/commission service more meaningful, effective and inclusive. Applications for open positions go live July 8. Info here.

Kindness in the Community: SLP Friends of the Arts is once again coordinating Artwalk in the Park, where community members create art inspired by a theme and displayed in community parks. This year's theme is "Kindness in the Community." I love this project, which was launched during COVID and continues due to its popularity. Anyone can create art for possible selection, although space is limited. Artwork will be displayed this summer at Oak Hill Park, Dakota Park, and Wolfe Park. See the schedule and how to participate here. 

Related: SLP Friends of the Arts is seeking board members! Help grow and support our local arts community by volunteering as a FOTA board member. Learn more and apply here.

Early voting: Please plan to vote in the State Primary which closes on August 13. On the ballot: U.S. Senator and U.S. House of Representatives, District 5. Early voting started June 28; find out when and where you can vote early and other FAQs here.

Here’s a select list of upcoming events in our community:

Thai Sunday Market, Sunday, July 7, 11-7, and every Sunday through August 25, Wat Prom Temple. Enjoy Thai street food, listen to live music, and shop for souvenirs. Info here. 

Trail of Small Wonders Opening Day Festival, Monday, July 8, 4:30-8 pm, Westwood Hills Nature Center. Experience a miniature world of tiny handmade dwellings along with butterfly stilt walkers, music and dance performances, storytelling, art stations, and more. Hosted by St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts. The exhibit runs through July 29. Info here. 
 
Birchwood Neighborhood Food Truck Night, Wednesday, July 10, 6-8 pm, Birchwood Park. Enjoy dinner from Tin Fish Truck, Kurbside Ice Company, and Brick Oven Bus. Live music by yours truly and friends! Bring a food donation for STEP. All are welcome!
 
SLP Fireworks Celebration, Thursday, July 11, Aquila Park. Activities from 7-10 pm including food trucks and live music. Postponed from the 4th due to weather. Info here.
 
Muddy Paws Food Truck Nights, Every Thursday through Oct. 10, 5-8 pm, in the parking lot at Muddy Paws Cheesecake. Enjoy dinner, live music and the best cheesecake! Food truck & music lineup here. 
 
SLP Art Fair/youth minimarket application deadline, Monday, July 15. Youth under 18 are invited to sell or showcase their art to the community at the SLP Art Fair on September 7. Info and application link here. 
 
Walking Tour of Skunk Hollow, Tuesday, July 16, 5-7 pm. This tour series hosted by the Hennepin History Museum shines a light on the history of industrial pollution in SLP and other colorful history of Skunk Hollow. Refreshments and short program after at The Dampfwerk Distillery. Info and registration here. 
 
Rock Island Improvements/Community Input Meeting, Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 pm, Rock Island Park. The Fern Hill Neighborhood Association has secured modest funds from the city’s neighborhood grant program to improve this parcel through clean up, plantings, and removal of invasive species. Attend in person or via Zoom (email here for link). All are welcome!

Trees & Forests Learning Series: Free monthly learning opportunities for residents hosted by Hennepin County Forestry. Next workshop is July 25. Meeting topics and registration links here. 
 
National Night Out registration deadline, July 31. National Night Out is Tuesday, August 6 this year. NNO is a community-building event to create safer, more connected neighborhoods. Here’s where you can see if there’s a party planned for your area, and here’s where you can register if you want to host a party. Here’s a link to general information about NNO. 
 
Thanks for reading and please stay in touch!

Margaret