St. Cloud Approves Rock Crushing Facility Relocation

Overview: In a notable St. Cloud City Council meeting, members voted to approve the relocation of a rock crushing facility, sparking considerable debate and public concern. Despite opposition from residents, who cited increased noise, dirt, and negative impacts on their community, the Council decided in favor of the settlement agreement that would see the facility move to a less impactful location. The meeting also saw the approval of several ordinances related to property annexations and future land use designations, as well as the denial of a public arts ordinance due to financial concerns for developers and homeowners.

St. Cloud Considers Mobility Fee Changes Amidst Growth

Overview: The St. Cloud City Council is weighing potential changes to mobility fees that could impact everything from single-family homes to commercial development, with a keen focus on encouraging economic growth and managing the city’s increasing transportation needs. The city’s growth and the rising demand for improved transportation infrastructure dominated discussions, alongside the impact of fee adjustments on commercial development, the local economy, and affordable housing.

St. Cloud Commission Approves New Housing Development Amid Concerns

Overview: The St. Cloud Planning Commission recently approved ordinances for a new housing development project, Eden Living St. Cloud, which aims to address the city’s deficit of medium-density residential housing. The development, seeking to rezone a 2328-acre parcel from agricultural to planned unit development, will feature 216 single-family rental units with “build to rent” homes. Despite concerns raised by residents regarding home values, traffic, and occupancy control, the project received approval with conditions. Additionally, the commission discussed a voluntary annexation initiative and recommended approval of several ordinances related to the historic preservation overlay and the Land Development Code update.

St. Cloud City Council Recognizes IT Staff for Cybersecurity Recovery

Overview: The St. Cloud City Council meeting was notable for the recognition of the IT department staff who successfully restored city operations after a significant cybersecurity incident. The IT staff were awarded the June 2024 recognition of the month for their exceptional work. The staff’s dedication led to the restoration of the city’s operations within 21 days, a timeline well below the typical recovery period ranging from 30 to 180 days for municipalities. The council expressed appreciation for the city staff’s teamwork and diligence in the face of the cyber attack.

Historic St. Cloud Board Addresses Demolition and Future Construction Plans

Overview: In a recent meeting of the St. Cloud Historic Preservation Board, one notable issue discussed was the future of a historic property after unforeseen structural damage led to its partial demolition. The board addressed the next steps for the property, including necessary compliance with historic preservation standards and central business district zoning for any new construction. Additionally, the meeting touched on the departure of a board member and the importance of continuing education in historic preservation.