St. Cloud Planning Commission Approves Ordinance for Backyard Chickens, New Housing, and Marijuana Regulations

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Planning Commission approved a proposed ordinance to allow backyard chickens, add more homes, and a plan to govern where marijuana can be grown and sold.

For the third month in a row, the planning commission pecked away rules to manage backyard poultry flocks. Community Development Director Matt Glaesman spoke with KNSI News about the biggest hang-up. “Tonight’s discussion came down to, what are the lot sizes that are required to have a chicken. The Planning Commission ended up at 6,000 square feet, which is one of our smaller single family lot sizes, and a five foot setback from adjacent property lines.”

There are 12,600 lots that could support chickens. At most, four hens will allowed and no roosters. There are restrictions on coup size and permitting. Glaesman says the final hurdle will be up to the council. “The city council has a public hearing in December on the same ordinance before it becomes effective or, maybe it’s revised significantly or just thrown out. The City Council has the discretion to do as they see fit with the recommendation.”

The planning commission also gave a thumbs up to a request by the Islamic Center of St. Cloud to build more housing. The development will be at 1850 Clearwater Road next to Schmidt Park. Glaesman says it’s the final development phase that’s been in the works since 2007. “Nine duplexes and then 18 lots for single-family homes. So, 36 total units; new construction that’s been on the books for 17 years. [It’s] just taking a while for it to build momentum.”

The plat will go to the city council next month because it requires the installation of new public infrastructure.

The planning commission forwarded changes in the land management code to regulate where marijuana can be grown, manufactured and sold. Dispensaries will need to be in a C5 Commercial district, considered highway corridors. They’re located along Roosevelt Road, Highway 10 on the east side, and the west end of St. Cloud along Highway 23. There are 730 parcels in these zones. There are 143 I3 Industrial Districts for growing, manufacturing and processing marijuana. The lots are in the I94 business park, the airport business park and the northwest business park. The proposal goes to the council for a public hearing and a final decision in December. The city will need to tackle ordinances about operational standards and registry.

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