An Open Letter to Highland Park Residents with Alleys

The Highland District Council has heard concerns about alleys from neighbors around Highland Park

for a number of years.  Recently, those complaints and problems have escalated.   These complaints

range from aesthetic complaints regarding structures and landscaping (e.g. fences needing repair, overgrown weeds, abandoned vehicles, junk) to safety concerns (e.g. weeds blocking line of sight in alleys).

We believe that the best way to address these disputes is by working with your neighbors and encouraging them to address issues with their property.

General maintenance and upkeep is an asset to our community and helps reduce crime. Encourage your neighbors to be respectful of the neighborhood by maintaining the structures and landscaping in your portion of the alleyway to ensure safety and maintain the overall aesthetics of your neighborhood.

If you are a senior or a disabled resident, our office can direct you to a resource that will help you address some of these concerns at 651-695-4005 or hdc@visi.com.

Please be good neighbors.

Thank you.

The members of the Highland District Council 

The City of St Paul has a code for alleys.  Some major concerns for residents are sight lines, property maintenance and sanitation.

Plantings permitted. A property owner in the City of Saint Paul shall be permitted to plant, care for and maintain gardens on the boulevards adjacent to their property, subject to the restrictions set forth below.

(1)Plantings may not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in height. Plantings within thirty (30) feet of any

intersection as measured from the property line; or within five (5) feet of any alley, or driveway approached as measured from the end of the radius or within five (5) feet of a public utility fixture may not exceed eighteen (18) inches in height. Plantings shall be limited to eighteen (18) inches in height within ten (10) feet of the curb on street sections that do not have parking lanes, or on street sections or portions of street sections where 'rush hour or 24 hour no parking' restrictions apply.

Plantings must be maintained in such a way that there is no overhang or encroachment onto the sidewalk, curb or street area.

Plantings may include flowers, vegetables and other plants, but in no event shall any noxious weed be planted or maintained.

Sanitation. All exterior property areas shall be maintained free from any accumulation of garbage, mixed municipal solid waste, animal feces or refuse.

Accessory structures. All accessory structures including, but not limited to, detached garages, sheds and fences, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.  All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint which is not lead-based paint or by other protective covering or treatment. Service doors to accessory

structures shall be provided with securing locks.

Stored materials. It shall be unlawful to accumulate and store building material, lumber, boxes, cartons, portable storage containers, inter modal cargo containers or other containers, machinery, scrap metal, junk, raw material, fabricated goods and other items in such manner as to constitute a nuisance or rodent harborage.

Parked or stored vehicles. All parking spaces shall be paved with asphalt, concrete or other suitable durable and dustless surfacing, as determined by the enforcement officer. The total amount of surface parking for one-family and two-family dwellings shall not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the lot area or one thousand (1,000) square feet, whichever is less. In all residential districts, off street parking shall not be located within any front yard or non-interior side yard. Before any existing spaces may be paved, site plan approval must be obtained as specified in the Saint Paul Zoning Code and the lot must be developed in conformance with such approval.