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Waite Park planning commission recommends plat for Metro Bus western transit center
Summary
The Waite Park Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of preliminary and final platting to combine two parcels for the proposed Metro Bus Western Transit Center, subject to payment-in-lieu of parkland dedication and Sterns County Highway Department conditions; public commenters voiced both support for transit and neighborhood safety concerns.
The Waite Park Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the preliminary and final plat to create a single parcel for the proposed Metro Bus Western Transit Center, staff said. The commission approved the recommendation by voice vote after a public hearing and discussion of conditions.
Planning staff member John told commissioners the submittal from St. Cloud Metro Transit (referred to in the record as "Metro Bus") seeks preliminary and final plat approval to combine two unplatted parcels at 461 and 481 Second Avenue South and Sundial Drive into a single platted parcel so construction can proceed. John said the clearing and demolition completed so far did not require platting and that county review comments from the Sterns County Highway Department must be satisfied before recording.
John also described the city's parkland dedication requirement and said the recommended payment-in-lieu was recorded in the transcript as "$30." The transcript does not specify units or whether that amount is a typographical or transcription error; commissioners approved moving forward with the plat recommendation while noting payment and county certifications must be completed prior to final signatures on the plat.
Danielle, representing Joel Limited Partnership LLP, spoke in support of the project, saying the owner is excited about the proposal and that "transit is important for everybody." A nearby resident who said she lives across the street raised safety concerns and said she had left a message at city hall earlier and received no callback; she asked about security measures and mentioned a contact named David Green associated with Metro Bus.
A commissioner moved to close the public hearing and later moved to approve the preliminary plat with the staff conditions; both motions were seconded and carried by voice vote with all present. John said a positive recommendation from the commission would forward the plat and the previously heard conditional use permit to the Waite Park City Council for concurrent consideration at an upcoming council meeting.
Commissioners also discussed scheduling for future meetings and noted the school district currently provides the meeting space on Mondays; no change to the regular meeting day was made. Staff said minutes for the prior meetings will be prepared for the next meeting. The commission adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
