(KNSI) – St. Cloud’s planning commission unanimously approved a housing development proposal that would add more affordable units, despite strong neighborhood opposition.
The Bear Ridge Addition is seeking approval for a planned unit development, which would give developers the OK to modify standard building requirements. The request proposes reducing wetland and building setbacks, shrinking lot sizes, and allowing the construction of twin homes and a four-plex along Cooper Avenue South and 40th Street South. It’s also asking to downsize the development and increase density from 37 single family homes to 44 housing units to make them more affordable.
They’re meant to be workforce housing and would cost between $300,000 and $380,000. That would be considered affordable for those with a household income between $80,000 and $110,000 a year. According to Census data gathered between 2019 and 2023, the median household income in St. Cloud is $61,112.
Gregory Czeck lives next to the development and was one of a half dozen people who spoke up against the project, telling KNSI News, “I’ve been there since 1987 with my parents, and we’ve been there a long time, so it’s a family property. And we just like to keep it the same.”
When that area was originally built up, it was township and lot sizes were between an acre and a half acre. That changed in 2005 when the 70 acre site was zoned for single family homes. He and others feel having even smaller lots is a bad idea. There were also concerns about more traffic.
Czeck feels the development will affect property owners’ bottom lines. “If they want to go with affordable housing. That really dwindles our property values of the adjacent neighbors, and it just doesn’t sound like a very good plan.”
He feels that some people have the best intentions, but not the means to maintain the property.
The proposal will go before the city council next month, which will again hold a public hearing before casting a vote. Czeck says he plans to be there with others.
___
Copyright 2025 Leighton Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, redistributed, or rewritten, in any way without consent.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!