Planning commission backs annexation and mixed‑use zoning near Clay Whaley Road despite traffic concerns

The St. Cloud Planning Commission recommended approval of three linked land‑use applications tied to the Clay Whaley Road mixed‑use project — a voluntary annexation (ordinance 2025‑46), a comprehensive plan amendment (ordinance 2025‑47) and a zoning map amendment (ordinance 2025‑48) — after a 3‑1 vote to forward the recommendations to City Council.

The cases cover property currently under county mixed‑use designations that the applicant seeks to bring into the city with equivalent city mixed‑use zoning. Bernice Gonzalez, principal planner for Community Development, told the commission, “The cases before you this evening is the annexation comprehensive plan amendment for future land use designation and the zoning map amendment for the project known as Clayway Road mixed use.”

The commission’s approval clears a procedural step; developers will still need to submit detailed site plans and studies at later stages. The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final action. The…