St. Cloud Planning Commission to Consider Justice Center, Apollo Athletic Facility Plats Tuesday

(KNSI) – St. Cloud’s Planning Commission is expected to finalize recommendations Tuesday night on two land use proposals that would pave the way for a new Stearns County Justice Center and a new athletic facility at Apollo High School.

Stearns County is seeking plat approval for a 76-acre site at the intersection of County Highway 75 and County Road 134. A 482,000-square-foot building would house 270 jail beds, 11 courtrooms, a law library, the Sheriff’s Office, the County Attorney’s Office, Emergency Management, and other related departments.

The proposed site was annexed into the city of St. Cloud on February 3rd. Currently farmland, woodlands, and wetlands, the site would be served by city sewer and water extended from a nearby industrial park. City staff is recommending approval.

Meanwhile, St. Cloud Area School District 742 is seeking plat approval to consolidate several parcels that make up the Apollo High School campus into a single lot. The campus currently comprises five parcels totaling roughly 80 acres, including the main school building, parking lots, a football stadium, athletic fields, a baseball diamond, and a stormwater pond. Some existing easements date back to the original construction of the school.

As part of the replat, eight roadway and utility easements along 44th Avenue North and 12th Street North would be vacated. There are no current plans to add new access points from Highway 15 or 8th Street North (Veterans Drive). Access to the campus would continue through three existing points on 44th Avenue North and 12th Street North.

The replat would allow the voter-approved $15 million Apex Athletic Center to move forward. The multipurpose indoor sports facility would be used for soccer, softball, and lacrosse, as well as practices for baseball, football, and golf. It would also include batting cages and golf simulators.

Both items appear on the consent agenda, meaning they are considered routine and may be approved in a single vote without discussion, though any planning commission member may pull an item for separate consideration. The meeting begins Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall.

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