After a brief public hearing Monday, the Clearwater City Council voted unanimously to annex a parcel of land in Clearwater Twp. that will be the future site of a Kwik Trip station/store.
The 3.24-acre parcel is located on Hwy. 24 just south of I-94 and is adjacent to the former site of Brigitte’s Cafe. Gustafson Trailers is currently located there.
The two sites combined total 5.1 acres.
Kwik Trip approached the city earlier this year about potentially building a new store on the site, which is partially in the city. Clearwater City Administrator Kevin Kress said the city’s planning and zoning had no issues with the project and there have also been meetings with MnDOT regarding access points to the site.
“It looks like the project is ready to move ahead,” he told members of the council.
Clearwater Twp. has already vacated portions of two old roads on the township parcel to clear the title for Kwik Trip. Those roads were never maintained by the township and date back many years.
Kress said Monday’s adoption of an ordinance and resolution are the first steps for moving ahead. They will be forwarded to the state for approval.
“If they’re on board, I will ask at the next meeting to consider the site plan,” he said.
Under the Clearwater Orderly Annexation Agreement with the township, the city will pay the township tax revenue on the property beginning one year after the city can levy taxes on the property.
That amount is set at $11,960.77 for two years.
Senior Subsidy
The council agreed by consensus not to subsidize Clearwater seniors who must pay a new $50 fee to use Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud.
While council members agreed it would be nice to help out seniors, they felt it did not meet the criteria of a city-wide benefit. Councilman Kris Crandall said there were also other centers in Annandale, Monticello and surrounding areas that charge seniors. So subsidizing one wouldn’t be fair to seniors who use those facilities.
Other Business
In other action the council:
• Accepted the donation of a new sign from the Clearwater Lions for Lions’ Park;
• Appointed Dennis Lozinski to the planning commission.
