Site Plan Review - Public Hearing
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FCC Proposed Trash Truck Appeal - What's Next?
People who wish to testify need to give their name and address and sign in for the record. Written testimony (letters and e-mails) can be sent by 2:30 p.m. or. They also need to include the name and address of the sender and are made part of the public record. You can submit public testimony to
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.
What's next?
- The City Council will be asked to extend this 3-day state of emergency to 90-days on Wednesday, April 2nd. This is not a public hearing.
- On Thursday, April 24th at 3:30pm the Zoning Committee will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed site plan for FCC. View the conditions that need to be met to approve a site plan. Need more inspiration? Check out our public comment.
- People who wish to testify need to give their name and address and sign in for the record. Written testimony (letters and e-mails) can be sent by 2:30 p.m. April 24th. They also need to include the name and address of the sender and are made part of the public record. You can submit public testimony to ZoningCases@ci.stpaul.mn.us cc: julia@fortroadfederation.org Include FILE # 25-015-397
- Tentatively, on Friday, May 2, at 8:30am the Planning Commission will decide whether or not to approve the site plan. This is not a public hearing, but community presence matters.
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.
Site plan requirements
In order to approve the site plan, the planning commission shall consider and find that the site plan is consistent with:
- The city's adopted comprehensive plan and development or project plans for sub-areas of the city.
- Applicable ordinances of the city.
- Preservation of unique geologic, geographic or historically significant characteristics of the city and environmentally sensitive areas.
- Protection of adjacent and neighboring properties through reasonable provision for such matters as surface water drainage, sound and sight buffers, preservation of views, light and air, and those aspects of design which may have substantial effects on neighboring land uses.
- The arrangement of buildings, uses and facilities of the proposed development in order to ensure abutting property and/or its occupants will not be unreasonably affected.
- Creation of energy-conserving design through landscaping and location, orientation and elevation of structures.
- Safety and convenience of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic both within the site and in relation to access streets, including traffic circulation features, the locations and design of entrances and exits and parking areas within the site.
- The satisfactory availability and capacity of storm and sanitary sewers, including solutions to any drainage problems in the area of the development.
- Sufficient landscaping, fences, walls and parking necessary to meet the above objectives.
- Site accessibility in accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including parking spaces, passenger loading zones and accessible routes.
- Provision for erosion and sediment control as specified in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's "Manual for Protecting Water Quality in Urban Areas.
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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