Public Hearing Monday Night for Lincoln Center Expansion

(KNSI) – St. Cloud is holding a public hearing on Monday on an appeal over conditions imposed on whether to allow the Lincoln Center homeless shelter to expand.

The meeting was set after the shelter’s owners were told they could increase capacity, but only under certain conditions. They include installing a sprinkler system in case of fire, having a case manager and project manager on-site at all times, and having a two-to-one resident-to-staff ratio. Lincoln Center’s operators feel a proposal of six to one ratio would be enough, as a two-to-one isn’t affordable or feasible. The shelter is asking the council to amend the St. Cloud Zoning Board of Appeal’s decision. The council needed to hold a public hearing to make changes to the recommendations or hear from the property owners.

On June 6th, the city council voted in favor of the hearing because the operators of Lincoln Center didn’t have a chance to speak at the Zoning Board’s meeting after it issued its conditions.

During the zoning board meeting, businesses in the area complained about increased crime and the harassment of workers and customers from people at the shelter.

The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m.

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