Saint Paul Council upholds BZA denials for proposed supportive housing at Sherburne and Farrington

The Saint Paul City Council voted unanimously to deny two appeals of Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) decisions that had refused variances to convert existing sober-house properties into higher‑intensity supportive housing.

For ABZA 25-3 (418 Sherburne Ave), Department of Safety and Inspections staff member David I'd summarized the BZA record and staff recommendation, saying the zoning code requires supportive housing facilities be at least 1,320 feet from other specified congregate living facilities and noting the closest qualifying facility is 513 feet away. Staff and the BZA found the required variance findings—covering practical difficulties, unique circumstances of the land, and neighborhood character—were not met. Council member Buie moved to adopt staff findings and deny the appeal; the motion carried 7–0.

For ABZA 25-5 (519 Farrington St), staff again recommended denial after the BZA found several findings untrue, including that the request would create a cluster inconsistent with neighborhood character and that the hardship was not unique to the property. Staff reported the closest supportive facility is 736 feet away and said the application had been received on 05/09/2025; that appeal’s council decision deadline was stated as 09/02/2026. The council adopted the staff recommendation and denied the appeal 7–0.

Council members emphasized that the appeals were decided on zoning findings, not on funding. Council member Buie noted the appeals’ testimony focused heavily on funding sources, which staff said is not a unique property circumstance for meeting the variance standard.

The denials keep the BZA decisions intact; if the appeals had been granted the applicants would have been allowed to establish the supportive housing facilities and thereby increase permitted resident counts at those addresses.