St. Cloud City Council OKs 65 Home Development Despite Resident Concerns

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud City Council Monday night approved rezoning 54.8 acres of land to make way for a new 65-home housing development.

Two residents spoke out against the project during a public hearing, raising concerns over emergency service response times, speeding, and the condition of 322nd Street, which would be the main thoroughfare.

The request to change the land designation from agricultural to residential was approved by a 5-2 vote on Monday night. Councilman George Hontos, one of the dissenting votes, explained his opposition to KNSI News. “I’m not against development,” he said. “I think it’s important for our community to grow. But in this case, with the road issue and the residents’ concerns, I just wanted the city staff to look at it in a little more detail and come up with a better plan.”

The other council member voting against the development was Jake Anderson.

Council President Jeff Goerger supported the rezoning, believing it’s what’s best for the city. “I think the zoning changes were necessary because we need additional housing in the community,” he said. “We’ve talked about that forever, getting more residential housing.”

The move clears the way for the Harvest Creek development to be built in three phases over the next ten years.

The development would be located west of 64th Avenue North and south of Northwood Lane.

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