Reacting to concerns expressed by religious leaders, St. Paul city planners substantially rewrote a proposed ordinance designed to improve the process for land use applications for religious organizations.

Broad strokes of the new wording appeared to alleviate some of the worry, judging from a Nov. 16 Zoom call between religious leaders and City Planner Bill Dermody organized by Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul.

“From our perspective, we believe you have heard the concerns of St. Paul faith communities,” one person commented in the Zoom’s chat box. “I like this version better than the first session,” said another, referring to a similar Zoom call held on the first proposal Oct. 26.

The new proposal is another step in a process leading to ordinance changes that have a Feb. 1 deadline. The full Planning Commission will present a recommendation to the City Council, with a Jan. 12 City Council public hearing before a Jan. 19 or Jan. 26 vote by the council.

Joseph Kueppers, an attorney and the chancellor for civil affairs at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, was among the first to raise concerns about the original proposed ordinance. He said after the Nov. 16 meeting that the revised ordinance is a step in the right direction by the city. It eliminates the most objectionable portions of the original proposal, he said.

“We are still studying this new ordinance to make sure it protects the rights of religious institutions in St. Paul, including 27 Catholic churches,” Kueppers said.

Key changes outlined Nov. 16 include city planners eliminating a proposed ban on new construction by religious institutions for such ministries as sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, providing day-time care for children and adults and teaching religion.

The first proposal also appeared to require a conditional use permit to conduct such ministries in a religious institution. The new language does not require a conditional use permit. It places those activities under broadened definitions of what is allowed in religious institutions and community centers.

Zoning changes became necessary under a settlement agreement St. Paul officials reached after being sued in 2019 by First Lutheran Church north of downtown over restrictions on leasing its church basement to Listening House, a day-time care center for homeless and low-income people.