St. Paul clears way for Trader Joe's

It looks like Trader Joe's is coming to St. Paul.

City Council members voted 6-1 Wednesday to approve rezoning a site on the southeast corner of Randolph Avenue and Lexington Parkway where developers want to put the budget-gourmet grocer.

"We already know that St. Paul residents are traveling out of the city to shop at Trader Joe's," Mayor Chris Coleman said. "This development ... adds to our tax base and gives city residents amenities and shopping options they want, close to home."

The question was not about approving a Trader Joe's store, but about whether the site should be rezoned from residential to "traditional neighborhood," which permits commercial and residential uses.

Beyond the chic store's allure were neighborhood concerns regarding traffic congestion.

"We're zoning for the future," Council President Kathy Lantry said.

Council Member Pat Harris, whose Third Ward contains the site, said he wrestled with the decision but focused on the best use for the land: a potential mix of commercial and residential buildings.

The site plan will be reviewed by the Planning Commission's zoning committee next week, and the public will be able to comment on it.

Members of the Planning Commission voted overwhelmingly in November to recommend the City Council approve the zoning change on the 1.27-acre site bounded by Randolph and Juno avenues, Lexington Parkway and Interstate 35E.

Trader Joe's has signed a letter of intent with Meridian Management and TOLD Development, partners in the deal.

The Planning Commission has approved conditional-use permits and variances for the development -- a 14,400 square-foot building for the store and a 5,500 square-foot building that could house a coffee shop and other retail outlets.

The developers aren't asking for public money and are paying for street changes, including a turn lane and signal.

Stuart Simek, president of Meridian, said he doesn't see anything that might derail the project.

Council Member Dave Thune, whose Second Ward includes Randolph on the other side of I-35E, was the lone "no" vote. He said that the process was manipulated and that the project is not in the best interest of the neighborhood.

"It creates a freeway strip mall," he said.

Hal Clapp, who has lived on Juno across from the site since 1986, said he was disappointed with the vote. "I'll be looking at a parking lot," he said.

Chris Havens • 651-298-1542