Public Comment on Potential Impact of Large Development in St. Cloud Begins

(KNSI) – St. Cloud has officially opened the public comment period on the potential environmental impacts of extensive development on the south side of St. Cloud.

The Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the redevelopment of Klein Landscaping was approved for review by the city council last week. The property is located on the south side of 33rd Street South, between the 3700 and 4100 blocks. The proposed 42-acre project includes four apartment buildings with more than 350 apartments, a recreation center, retail space, office space, senior housing, and more.

St. Cloud Community Development Director Matt Glaesman says the EAW is a research document, and he briefed the city council on the next step.

“This opens up a 30 day review and comment period after which all of that material comes back to you. And you have the right thing to say whether additional environmental review is required or not. If not, then you receive a land use application where you may actually say yes or no to the project, or we would like to see design changes.”

He says Minnesota law requires large developments to go through a preliminary environmental review, meaning the project cannot go forward until the project’s potential effects on traffic, soil, water, air, and other environmental conditions are reviewed. Glaesman says St. Cloud must communicate directly with each agency and ask for their comment. The review and comment period will close at 4:30 PM on March 17.

Anyone interested may view this EAW document at the following locations:

City of St. Cloud St. Cloud Public Library
Planning & Zoning Department 1300 West St. Germain Street
400 2nd Street South St. Cloud, MN 56301
St. Cloud, MN 56301

Comments concerning the scope and accuracy of the EAW should be addressed to:

City of St. Cloud
Planning & Zoning Department
400 2nd Street South
St. Cloud, MN 56301

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