Domino’s delayed at Blair and Snelling

Plans to convert the former Hamline Cleaners building into a Domino’s Pizza takeout restaurant continue to be questioned by the St. Paul Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The BZA Sept. 28, 2026 laid over the business’s second access-related variance request in almost two months.

Board members said they want more information, including drawings, before granting a variance. They also urged the Hamline Midway Coalition to weigh in. The coalition’s Transportation Committee gave the request qualified support in August but hadn’t taken an official position then due to timing.

The variance request returns to the BZA on Oct.12.

Hamline Cleaners at 649 N. Snelling Ave. closed earlier this year after almost 60 years of operation. For many years it was in a converted service station at the southwest corner of Snelling and Blair avenues.

The challenge for the developers is access. Hamline Cleaners at one time had a small drive-up service at the north side of the building but that wouldn’t be used again.

The property currently has three curb cuts, one on Snelling and two on Blair. The Snelling curb cut can only be accessed via southbound traffic. The Blair curb cuts are grandfathered in and don’t meet current zoning code regulations.

The western Blair curb cut doesn’t meet current distance standards from residential properties.

The eastern Blair curb cut is closer to Snelling than would be allowed today.

The controversial curb cut is the one that would affect Blair neighbors to the west. A city zoning code requirement is that curb cuts must be located at least 60 feet from the intersection of any two streets and from any abutting residentially zoned property. Without a variance from this requirement both curb cuts will have to be removed.

Plans call for removing the eastern curb cut and retaining the western curb cut. This is to better manage traffic from delivery drivers and customers doing carryout.

The project needs two variances under different sections of the code but those have come in separately.

The BZA in August voted unanimously to deny the first variance request, supporting neighborhood concerns about increased traffic on Blair. Procedural grounds were also cited because board members said the project that doesn’t meet all of the needed legal findings. Another argument is that the variance doesn’t align with the general intent of the zoning code and the city’s comprehensive plan.

An appeal was filed with the City Council, which overturned the BZA decision and approved the variance. Ward Four Council Member Molly Coleman said she took the BZA staff recommendations seriously and that the decision would best serve the business.

The issue returned to the BZA Sept. 28. BZA Member Megan Dayton said she wants to see the City Council resolution overturning the August board decision. Other board members also want to know more about how the remaining Blair curb cut could be reconfigured to deter drivers from heading west on Blair

Eric Studler, construction and facilities manager for Domino’s, said the curb cut would be reconfigured in a way to deter left-hand turns. He asked the board to support the request, saying that putting all of the traffic on Snelling would create problems. The plans put pickup customers on Snelling and delivery drivers on Blair.

“There is going to be a restaurant there,” he said. “We’re just trying to make it as safe as possible.
Two neighbors spoke against the request. Bonita Steppa lives two doors west of the property.

“This would send more traffic onto Blair, to the detriment of the residents,” she said.

Neighbor Julie Hellwich also spoke against the potential for more neighborhood traffic. She also asked that more be done to maintain the now-vacant building, saying it has become problem property.