Planning Commission Considers Apartment Complex At Selke Field

(KNSI) – St. Cloud’s Planning Commission is holding a public hearing tonight on possibly rezoning Selke Field to allow for multi-unit housing.

A letter was sent to homeowners within 500 feet of the property last week, informing them of the potential change. St. Cloud State University owns the land and is requesting the property change from R-2 to R-5. That would change things significantly. Right now, single-family homes and duplexes are all that is allowed, with limited exceptions. R-5 permits apartment complexes up to four stories tall.

Those who attend the hearing will be able to give testimony about how they feel, ask questions and hear additional information on the request. A final decision on the proposal would be made at a future public hearing in front of the city council, likely in May.

In a statement emailed to KNSI News’ Jake Judd, SCSU Vice President for Finance and Administration Larry Lee said, “The University hasn’t made plans to sell Selke Field. We are currently exploring what zoning can be done for the space’s future flexibility.”

Right now, it’s an amateur sports facility, home to the SCSU softball team and several soccer pitches. The school says the program plans to move the games to Husky Stadium on campus. Softball already plays there when the weather is poor, or snow on the ground makes an outdoor game impossible, thanks to a temporary dome they put up at the start of spring semester. They opened the regular season at home on February 3rd. Baseball has only been able to play one series in St. Cloud so far, by comparison.

The ten-acre space at Selke is also the home field for the rugby, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee clubs. The varsity football team played there from 1937 to 2003.

The stadium complex is encircled by a trademark granite wall, constructed as part of the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.

The planning commission will meet at 6:00 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall.

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