Lincoln Center Executive Director Withdraws Appeal

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud City Council won’t be voting on conditions in an appeal for the proposed expansion of the Lincoln Center homeless shelter’s capacity because it has been withdrawn.

Lincoln Center Executive Director Harry Fleegel pulled his request to amend the St. Cloud Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision after the city council made it clear during its meeting on June 20th that they would uphold the appeal board’s decision. The shelter asked to amend the conditional use permit, which would have allowed Lincoln Center to remodel the facility. Flegel wants to provide a sleeping area, office space for social workers and nurses, a dining area, computer banks, and a more secure entry. He wants to increase the shelter’s capacity from 19 to 29 residents and a six-to-one resident-to-staff ratio.

At a public hearing regarding the expansion, some neighbors and business owners expressed support for the center because of complaints of homeless encampments and nowhere for people to go. Other concerns were raised regarding crime and issues with shelter residents wandering through yards, urinating on their properties, and arguing that the southeast side is no longer safe.

The city council agenda lists Councilman George Hontos requesting time for questions about the no-barrier emergency homeless shelter. Hontos was absent from last month’s public hearing but has gone on record saying they want to deny the zoning permit for expansion. One of the reasons the council cited for denying the expansion was the failure to install a proper sprinkler system, which was part of the original conditional use permit granted when the shelter opened last year.

In a message to KNSI News, Mayor Dave Kleis says the city council wants the shelter to abide by the original conditional use permit before entertaining an increase in residents.

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