Winter. The perfect time to read a good book — and the only thing better than reading a thought-provoking book is discussing it afterward with friends and neighbors over pizza!

The SHA Book Club meets on March 11 to discuss The girl that fell from the sky, national bestseller by Heidi Durrow . This book is a story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy after a fateful morning on their Chicago rooftop. Forced to move to a new city, with her strict African American grandmother as her guardian, Rachel is thrust for the first time into a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, blue eyes, and beauty bring a constant stream of attention her way. It’s there, as she grows up and tries to swallow her grief, that she comes to understand how the mystery and tragedy of her mother might be connected to her own uncertain identity. This searing and heartwrenching portrait of a young biracial girl dealing with society’s ideas of race and class is the winner of the Bellwether Prize for best fiction manuscript addressing issues of social justice.

So grab a copy from the library or fire up your Kindle, and then mark your calendars for 7:00 PM on March 11 at the Linwood Recreation Center.  As always, pizza and beverages will be available.

After scores of in-person interviews, online surveys and telephone conversation, the Future Is Grand Task Force is close to finalizing the set of recommendations it plans to present in its letter to the St. Paul City Council.

The Task Force consists of volunteers representing business owners and residents from the Summit Hill Association, Macalester Groveland Community Council, and the Grand Avenue Business Association. The group has spent the better part of 2019 reaching out to residents, building owners and businesses along and around Grand Avenue to capture their thoughts and insights about the current state and future prospects of this vital corridor. It has established a Consensus Document that lists six primary recommendations the city might want to consider in its efforts maintain a strong and successful Grand Avenue.

The Task Force has made available a number of documents that summarize the information its findings and initial considerations. They include:

• The Consensus Document;

• a more in-depth data dive that includes comments from businesses and residents;

• a summary highlighting the potential actions that could be taken by both the government and the private sector;

• and an illustration of the trends that are playing a role on the state of Grand Avenue.

Anyone interested in providing comments on the recommendations included in the Consensus Document can forward them to the SHA via this link.

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The Summit Hill Association was honored to welcome Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and District 2 Councilmember Rebecca Noecker to its annual membership meeting, held October 23 at the Mount Zion Temple on Summit Avenue.

During the meeting, Mayor Carter outlined his vision for the future of St. Paul and discussed some of the issues and opportunities surrounding the city. Councilmember Noecker discussed her work on behalf of District 2 and shared her passion for the future of the Summit Hill neighborhood.

A standing-room-only crowd filled the meeting room to hear from our special guests and vote on issues of interest to the association. The members elected three new members to our Board of Directors and approved updates and revisions to the SHA bylaws.

SHA’s Zoning and Land Use Committee met on October 3 to hear comments regarding three separate zoning requests:

• a request for a lot split in the 800 block of Goodrich Avenue;

• a variance request regarding signage at Victoria Crossing;

• and a parking policies involving Bruegger’s Bagels on Grand and Goodrich Avenues .

After reviewing the requests and hearing from all interested parties, the ZLU Committee voted to support the two variance requests and to recommend that Bruegger’s Bagels continue the parking policies that it is currently following. The ZLU sent the following letters to all relevant parties after the meeting.

Bruegger's Parking Variance

Victoria Crossing Signage

880 Goodrich Lot Split

The Summit Hill Association/District 16 Zoning & Land Use Committee will hold a neighborhood meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3, 6:30–8:45 pm at the Linwood Rec Center, to hear discussions and make recommendations on three matters:

1. 880 Goodrich Lot Split (residential)
   The applicant is proposing to split the 100’ x 150’ lot into two lots. One will be vacant and consist of Lot Four (4). The other will contain the current dwelling and consist of Lot Five (5) and east one-half (E 1/2) of Lot Six (6) of Haldeman’s Addition. The homeowner has no plans to develop the vacant lot, but will be selling the property due to the death of the homeowner’s spouse. Link pending.

2. Victoria Crossing West Mall Signage Variance Request
   Charles Bohrer–Escom Properties had requested a variance to install additional signage at Victoria Crossing West Mall located at 867 Grand Ave. Full details are available here.

3. Bruegger’s Bagels Parking Variance Review
   The existing parking variance granted in 1991 to Bruegger’s Bagels, located at 800 Grand Avenue, is under review by the Saint Paul Board of Zoning Appeals. Full details are available here.

On Monday, September 23, the Saint Paul Board of Zoning Appeals decided to hold-over decisions on Bruegger’s Bagels and Victoria West until the October 7 meeting to allow time for a neighborhood meeting on these matters. Based on discussion and analysis at the neighborhood meeting, the ZLU committee may submit a recommendation to the BZA. However, the final decision will be made by the BZA at the October 7 meeting.

Due to the large anticipated interest in these matters, speaking time at the neighborhood meeting on October 3 may be limited. Additional meeting policies may apply.

All those interested in these matters are encouraged to submit their comments to SHA in advance of the meeting, by 5:00pm on Wed., Oct. 2, so that the comments may be circulated to the committee members prior to the meeting.

Neighbors are also encouraged to submit their comments to the appropriate City departments.

Applications are due by October 16.

The Summit Hill Association is an organization both for and of the residents and business owners of Summit Hill.  Our Board is made of up homeowners, renters and business owners throughout Summit Hill who want to become involved in activities throughout the neighborhood and make sure that all of our residents have a voice in issues that impact the entire community. 

The SHA Board is holding its election during the annual meeting on October 23.  Several members of the Board are standing for re-election, and we will also be voting new members onto the Board. That’s where you come in! Get involved and join your neighbors in keeping Summit Hill a vibrant place to live and work. 

Anyone wanting to apply for a position on our Board can get more information and apply online at SummitHillAssociation.org/become-a-board-member. Applications are due by 5:00pm, Wednesday, October 16. If you’d like more information on the requirements to become a board member, go to the webpage or contact Monica Haas at the SHA office at 612.222.1222.

After receiving unanimous approval by the SHA’s Board of Directors, the association’s revised Bylaws were adopted by SHA members during the annual meeting on October 23. The new Bylaws were crafted under the direction of a Bylaws Committee made up of SHA Board members, working in partnership with an outside counsel who specializes in the governance of nonprofit community organizations. These new policies govern the operations and structure of the SHA and ensures that the organization complies with state laws and regulations. This is the first time in more than a decade that the SHA Bylaws have been thoroughly reviewed and amended. The revised guidelines ensure that SHA continues to operate in an open and transparent manner. Anyone with questions can contact SHA at info@summithillassociation.org or 651.222.1222.

National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, meet neighbors, and partner with police.  Hosting a block party or an event of any kind, large or small, provides a way for people to meet one another and discover how they can keep their neighborhoods crime free and high quality for all who live, work and play there. National Night Out has proven, time and time again, to help people work together to improve the safety of their surroundings.

One local business is making it even easier to host a party on your block: Jason Koenig, owner/operator of The Odd Couple Team at Keller Williams Realty, will provide your block with a box of free grill meats from Von Hanson’s Meats! Register your Neighborhood Night Out event with the City and then contact The Odd Couple Team.

Events can be simple gatherings to large community events. National Night Out has participation across all 50 states. In 2018, St. Paul was ranked second nationally for participation in a city with a population between 100,000-300,000.  The city had over 300 registered parties and is looking forward to even greater participation in 2019! The City encourages ALL SAINT PAUL residents to participate on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 for the 36th Annual National Night Out! Neighborhoods include everyone: homeowners, renters, retail and all businesses are needed to help make our city "the most livable place in America!" 

Check out the City of Saint Paul’s National Night Out page to get participation suggestions and registration information.

Contact the Odd Couple for your free box of grill meats.