Four Public Hearings on Monday’s St. Cloud City Council Agenda

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud City Council will hold several public hearings on Monday night to discuss the 2025 budget, backyard chickens, parking issues, and land management for growing marijuana.

The proposed $89,808,200 budget is a 2.31% increase from 2024, and the property tax levy is increasing by 1.34% due to growth. The tax rate remains unchanged. The budget and levy set the spending guidelines for the city’s operations.

Residents are also asked to comment tonight on a proposed ordinance to allow backyard chickens in town. The planning commission recommends a maximum of four hens and no roosters, with restrictions on coop size and permitting. The council will have the final vote.

Residents can also voice their opinions on the number of required parking spaces for residential projects. It could be reduced from two per house or apartment unit to one. City officials would like to pass this in hopes that it will help spur housing growth.

Possible changes in the land management code to regulate where marijuana can be grown, manufactured and sold are also up for discussion. The planning commission recommends that dispensaries be confined to C5 Commercial districts, considered highway corridors along Roosevelt Road, Highway 10 on the east side, and Highway 23 on the west end. The city’s I3 Industrial Districts will be used for growing, manufacturing and processing marijuana. The lots are in the I-94 business park, the airport business park and the northwest business park. After hearing from residents, the council will have the final say.

The meeting gets started at 6:00 p.m. inside city hall.

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