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Council approves plat and conditional use permit for Metro Bus Western Transit Center in Waite Park
Summary
Waite Park city council approved a preliminary/final plat and a conditional use permit for the Metro Bus Western Transit Center, including a $38,730 payment-in-lieu of parkland dedication; planning staff said the 5.47-acre site will support a 4,000 sq ft facility and regular bus operations despite neighborhood concerns about traffic and noise.
Waite Park city council on a unanimous voice vote with one recorded opposition approved a preliminary and final plat and a conditional use permit for the Metro Bus Western Transit Center, staff said.
Planning staff described the proposal as a single-lot, single-block subdivision encompassing 5.47 acres to accommodate a roughly 4,000-square-foot transit facility with a public waiting area, ticket kiosk, staff spaces and restrooms. The staff presentation said the facility will not be a park-and-ride site and will operate seven days a week, with weekday hours roughly 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday service about 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday service about 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Staff estimated an interval of about 15 minutes between bus access and egress and roughly four buses per hour for each of the four routes to be served.
The staff recommendation noted that, because the property has not previously been platted, city ordinance requires a payment in lieu of parkland dedication equal to 5% of the unimproved land value; staff recommended $38,730. The planning commission reviewed the request, held public comment and recommended approval with conditions. Planning staff also noted that Stearns County highway comments would need to be included before recording.
Neighbors who commented to the planning commission raised concerns about increased activity, traffic and noise. Planning staff acknowledged the opposition but said the site is largely vacant and that the transit center is intended to provide multimodal options and operational capacity for Metro Bus. The presentation included a landscaping plan with a vegetated berm and tree plantings intended to reduce impacts on nearby residential properties.
Council approved the plat and the conditional use permit with the conditions recommended by staff and the planning commission. Staff noted next steps include satisfying conditions, payment of required parkland dedication fees prior to the city signing the plat, and completing any county certifications required for recording.
The staff presentation also noted a grant awarded to the city that would fully fund a proposed midblock lighted crosswalk on Second Avenue South; the final crosswalk location and design remain to be determined.
