By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

Despite residents’ concerns, the St. Cloud City Council voted Aug. 12 to allow a medical equipment service facility to be built amid residential housing.

Carrying a petition signed by 22 homeowners who live near the empty lot at 2901 17th St., several homeowners concerned with plunging property values, business disturbances such as lighting and additional traffic and the removal of trees and wildlife tried to persuade the council to keep the land for residential use.

“When you buy a home in a small town, you have certain expectations and I never thought I’d have a lab for a neighbor,” said 27-year resident Pat Lamasney, whose property touches the plot. “Progress is one thing until it’s in your backyard.”

In addition to allowing the construction of Amber Diagnostics, the council also annexed the land to the city and rezoned it for professional use.

Amber Diagnostics is an Orlando-based company that provides used and refurbished medical equipment, such as CT scanners and MRIs, to medical facilities.

Bruce Taylor of B. Taylor & Associates, who represented the buyer of the property, said the building plans would blend in with the surrounding residential area and be single-story. The council passed the ordinance with a single-story building limit, no taller than 35 feet.

Additionally, the applicant worked with city officials to design a landscape that would buffer residents from the business.

City law prohibits business lighting from being visible off-property in residential areas and trees and a proposed 6-foot-high wall is aimed to block the business from homeowners. The building also will be 30 feet from other property lines on three sides.

“It’s a lot of protection for the homeowner,” said Carl Theobald, of Theobald Construction, who represented the current owner of the property.

Theobald said an arborist recommended a large, dying oak tree be removed from the northwest corner of the property, which some residents did not like.

“I thought this was small-town life,” resident Robert Denning told the council. “I’m disappointed. Shade is precious and they’re taking it away. Are they going to pay my higher (electric) bill?”

Councilwoman Mickey Hopper told the residents, “Our city has really, really changed. You have to look beyond your heart. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable but at least they are trying to keep some trees and protect your quality of life.”

The council, minus Jarom Fertic, seemed swayed that plots across 17th Street from the discussed plot are zoned for professional use, despite the residential homes currently sitting on them.

“I didn’t realize everything around there was zoned professional,” Lamasney said after the vote. “I know they tried to work with us and I appreciate it.”

Lamasney recalled when the property had a farm with chickens and stocks of vegetables rising from the earth. Although it’s long gone, she wonders what will happen to the animals that call the area home now, such as raccoons.

“If they take care of the animals, the residents will help build the wall,” Lamasney said.