The St. Paul Board of Zoning Appeals recently voted to deny variances that would have allowed a developer to demolish three rental homes on Grand Avenue and replace them with a new five-story, multi-family apartment building. The Grand Row apartments would be situated at 1963 Grand Ave., between Prior Avenue and the University of St. Thomas.

Developer Ruben Benegas of Benegas Properties had requested two zoning variances from the city to erect a building up to 50 feet high, where only 40 feet is allowed, and to establish a different floor area ratio than what’s permitted under the code. In his application, the developer said he had modified the site plan at the request of city staff, creating a nine-foot setback from the back alley, and doing so cost him some living units that could be regained with the extra floor.

The board met Oct. 28 and voted 4-1 against the variance requests.

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