Clearwater is a few steps closer to having a Kwik Trip in town.

 

At its December meeting, the Clearwater City Council approved the site plan and conditional use permit for the fuel/convenience store, which will be located on Hwy. 24 south of I-94 at the former site of Brigitte’s Cafe.

 

Kwik Trip approached the city in the spring about building its station on approximately seven acres at the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Co. Rd. 145.

 

Part of the proposed site is in Clearwater Twp. The applicant has petitioned for annexation for that one parcel.

 

Mary Matze with Landform, the city’s planner, said the city’s approval of the site plan and CUP is contingent on the state’s approval of the annexation petition.

 

“Before this resolution can take effect, the state has to approve the annexation. The paperwork has been sent to the state,” she said. “After the state approves annexation, the city will combine the two lots. Then they will be able to move forward.”

 

The Clearwater Planning Commission held a public hearing Oct. 11. There was no public comment at the meeting, and members of the commission recommended approval.

 

Matze said the city’s zoning ordinance states hours of operation in a C-2 District are 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. However, the applicant is requesting to be open 24 hours. 

 

“There are no buildings nearby that would be affected by late night traffic,” said Matze, who recommended allowing 24-hour operation.

 

One still unresolved issue is access to the site. Kwik Trip originally planned two access points on Hwy. 24, one of which would be a “right-in” only access. But the state won’t allow more than one.

 

“The department of transportation is strong in their opinion that they cannot allow it,” said Matze. “It’s too close to the highway.”

 

Wade Dumond, project coordinator for Kwik Trip, said they are working with MnDOT and have a plan for a shared access at the southern end of the site. There is also an access on Co. Rd. 145.

“We moved it further to the south. It functions well,” he said. “Now we need an access permit from MnDOT and Wright County. Both of those are in process.”