The department's responsibilities include planning and zoning, economic
development, building inspections, and flood plain issues.
Donn R. Wiski
serves as Planning/Community Development Director. He can be reached at
651.204.6027 or by email at dwiski@cityvadnaisheights.com.
Economic Development The Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation (VHEDC), founded in 1984, is composed of business people and community leaders who strive to maintain the orderly growth and redevelopment of the area comprised of Independent School Districts 621 and 624.
This area includes the cities of Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, North Oaks, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, and White Bear Township.
The VHEDC works cooperatively to entice new development into the area in order stimulate the economic climate of the communities involved; to secure the needed service industry to complement the existing industrial and commercial businesses; and to provide opportunities for existing businesses to expand and flourish. To visit the VHEDC’s web site, click here.
Business Retention Study
Area businesses were recently surveyed as part of an effort to help them grow and survive. The survey was completed as part of a cooperative effort between the VHEDC and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. To learn more about the survey, visit the University's web site at http://www3.extension.umn.edu/projects/bre/program/progpast.html.
Chamber of Commerce The White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce serve Vadnais Heights. Check out their web sites at www.whitebearchamber.com and www.saintpaulchamber.com .
Planning and Zoning
Planning and zoning are important functions, working to ensure strong economic development, a healthy tax base, and a desirable quality of life.
Permits
The permits noted below are commonly requested. For your convenience, we've included application materials for each type of permit listed. Click on the permit you are interested in, and you will be linked to a page containing information about that permit.
Zoning Districts
Here is a quick review of Vadnais Heights' zoning districts. For additional information, view the Zoning Code or download the Zoning Map(PDF).
Residence One (R-1) R-1 Districts involve low-density, single-family detached dwellings and directly related complementary uses. Two-family dwellings are allowed by a Special Use Permit under certain conditions. Home-occupations require a Special Use Permit with strict conditions.
Residence Two (R-2) R-2 Districts provide for moderate-density residential development through any of a variety of housing types, such as townhomes.
Residence Three (R-3) R-3 Districts allow for medium- to high-density housing in multiple-family structures, such as apartments, and directly related complementary uses.
Residence Four (R-4) R-4 Districts allow medium-density mobile home communities.
Commercial One District (C-1) Also known as the Neighborhood Business District, C-1 Districts provide for the establishment of local centers for convenient retail or service outlets that deal directly with the customer for whom the goods or services are furnished. These centers provide for the surrounding neighborhoods, and are not intended to draw customers from the entire community.
Commercial One-A District (C-1A) The C-1A District provides for the establishment of local centers for convenient retail or service outlets which deal directly with the customer for whom the goods or services are furnished. Allowed are uses providing services and goods primarily at the neighborhood scale, and secondarily at the community market scale in areas adjacent to Interstate 694.
Commercial Two District (C-2) C-2 Districts involve low-intensity retail or service outlets that deal directly with the customer for whom the goods or services on a community market scale. The outlets are located in areas that are well served by collector or arterial streets.
Commercial Three District (C-3) Also referred to as Auto-Oriented Business, the C-3 District provides for the establishment of businesses with the need for great amounts of outdoor storage of vehicles and those establishments that generate great amounts of vehicular traffic.
Office District (O) The Office District provides for large-scale office and related service commercial development that may be incompatible with other land use categories. The Office District may serve to complement commercial and industrial land uses, or it can stand by itself in the form of an office park or a large individual concern engaged in office oriented activity.
Office-Business District (O-B) The Office-Business District provides for large-scale office buildings, related service businesses, and other businesses and light industries that complement the appearance of the office environment.
Industrial District (I) The Industrial District allows light manufacturing, warehousing, and supportive uses in a functional, attractive manner that does not unduly affect the development or use of nearby properties.
Outdoor storage is prohibited, unless allowed under a Special Use Permit.
City Center District
The City Center District helps implement the Vadnais Center Plan, adopted by the City Council on January 19, 1988. The district provides maximum flexibility to potential developers and the City of Vadnais Heights while retaining for the City the ability to require that development plans meet the spirit of the Vadnais Center plan. This district is similar to a Planned Unit District, except that specific objectives, criteria, and plans are incorporated to guide the review process.
The area in our City zoned City Center District is located near the intersection of I-35E and County Road E and serves as the major retail-service hub of Vadnais Heights.
Planned Unit Development (PUD) An alternative to conventional zoning and development approaches and processes, the Planned Unit Development procedures and regulations are set forth to:
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Further public health, safety, morals, and general welfare in an era of increasing urbanization;
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Encourage innovations in residential, commercial, and industrial development and renewal in order that greater opportunities for better housing and recreation, shops and industrial plants conveniently located to each other may extend to all citizens and residents of Vadnais Heights;
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Reflect changes in the technology of land development;
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Encourage a more creative approach in the utilization of land in order to accomplish a more efficient, aesthetic, and desirable development which may be characterized by special features of the geography, topography, size, or shape of a particular property; and
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Provide a compatible and stable environment in harmony with that of the surrounding area.
The department's responsibilities include planning and zoning, economic
development, building inspections, and flood plain issues.
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