FCC Proposed Trash Truck Appeal
Previous Statements & Updates from the Federation:
- May Community Update
- April 2025 Statement
- March 2025 Statement
- February 2025 Update
- December 2024 Update
Recent events:
- March 31, 2025: Mayor Carter declares a state of emergency to ensure trash services kick off without an interruption of services. View the full press conference here.
- April 2, 2025: The City Council votes to extend the state of emergency for 90 days.
- April 24, 2025: The Zoning Committee held a public hearing and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the site plan.
- May 2, 2025: The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the site plan.
- May 9, 2025: The Federation filed an appeal to the City Council.
- Wednesday, May 21, at 3:30pm the City Council voted unanimously to deny our appeal.
Basic Background
On January 16th, we filed an appeal against the determination of similar use. There was a public hearing before the Zoning Committee on March 13th, resulting in a 3-2 vote in favor of denying our appeal. On February 21st, the Planning Commission met to make a final decision. They unanimously voted to deny our appeal.
The proposed trash truck site at 560 Randolph Ave. doesn’t align with our community’s vision for a vibrant and thriving West 7th. Moreover, it doesn’t align with decades of City-adopted plans that support this vision and it is in direct contrast to a minimum of 12 policies from the current 2040 Comprehensive Plan. This issue is much bigger than just our neighborhood: when citywide planning and community participation is ignored and disregarded - the future of Saint Paul, our riverfront, and West 7th is bleak.
On February 24th we learned that key documents were missing from the Planning Commission meeting packet. 19 pieces of written testimony were missing along with the Federation's opening testimony from the Zoning Committee. We filed a formal complaint and these procedural errors are included in our upcoming appeal. Due to this error, the commissioners had limited to no exposure to our arguments and their unanimous decision to reject our appeal should be called into question.
On March 3rd we filed an appeal so the determination of similar use can be heard before the City Council. The public hearing was Wednesday, March 19th, 3:30pm. A determination of similar use was necessary in this case because "waste hauler" is not an identified use in the City of Saint Paul Zoning Code. Due to this, City staff had to identify a "similar" use, and in this case chose a public works yard or maintenance facility.
On March 19th, the St. Paul City Council voted 5-0 to grant our appeal and to block the FCC Environmental trash truck center in West 7th. Mayor Carter vetoed this decision.
Let's Rally
Key Points
Alignment with Community Plans
The proposed FCC site does not align with long-standing citywide, neighborhood, and river corridor plans, which emphasize neighborhood nodes, transit-oriented development, and river-oriented development. These plans guide growth in a way that supports vibrant, connected, and sustainable communities.
Great River Passage Plan
Mississippi River Corridor Plan
Comprehensive Plan and Addenda
Zoning Considerations
The current zoning for this site does not support the proposed FCC use. There are key distinctions between public utilities and private enterprises in zoning regulations, and this proposal raises important questions about land use compatibility.
Maximizing Community Value
Given its prime location with river valley views, proximity to a neighborhood node, and access to transit, this site has the potential for a higher-value use that better serves the community. Continued industrial use may not represent the best long-term investment for taxpayers.
Impacts on Neighborhood Livability
This proposal could have significant effects on the West 7th neighborhood, including:
- Increased truck traffic and congestion
- Potential safety and environmental concerns related to the CNG refueling station
- Future expansion of FCC’s operations, with truck volume projected to increase from 36 to as many as 80
- West 7th has historically hosted a large share of industrial uses and infrastructure, and careful consideration is needed to ensure balance in future land use
Social and Environmental Equity
The West 7th neighborhood has long shouldered the burden of large-scale infrastructure and industrial development, including highways, urban renewal projects, the Xcel plant, the ethanol plant, the Kaplan scrap yard, and other industrial sites.
Community Engagement and Public Process
Effective public decision-making should include meaningful neighborhood involvement and alignment with established community plans. Public hearings and public process is in place for a reason.
Letter to City Officials re: Missing Testimony
Support us Financially
Can’t make it to the rally? You can still make a difference by donating to support our advocacy efforts.
Your contribution will help us:
- Amplify community voices.
- Cover appeal, outreach and organizing costs.
- Advocate for the future West 7th deserves.
Every dollar counts. Will you help us reach our $2,000 goal?
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