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St. Cloud City Hall
After listening to concerns from area residents, and following the recommendation of the city’s Planning Commission, the St. Cloud City Council on April 8 voted 5-0 to deny a request to put a convenience store with gas station at the entrance to Anthem Park.
Developers had proposed putting the convenience store/gas station on a 1.21 acre property located on Lexington Boulevard, east of the Florida Turnpike and west of Old Canoe Creek Road. The city’s Planning Commission – which serves in an advisory role to the City Council – reviewed the request in March and voted 5-0 to recommend denial of the application based on traffic impacts and other concerns.
After listening to residents, Council Member Chuck Cooper made a motion to deny the request; Council Member Linette Matheny seconded the motion.
City Attorney Dan Mantzaris advised council members that the request doesn’t meet four of the six land development code requirements for conditional use permits.
In other action, the council:
• Approved the final plat for new phases of two existing developments: Old Hickory Phase 3 (136 single family lots), and Tohoqua Phase 4A (115 single family lots). Vote was 4-1, with Council Member Chuck Cooper voting against.
• Approved a resolution amending the staffing table to add one customer service agent and two meter readers for the remainder of the fiscal year at a cost of up to $61,013.14.
• Re-appointed Jeffrey Rivera to the city’s Planning Commission as Alternate 2, and appointed Mikayla Goetz as an alternate on the Historic Preservation Board.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the mayor, deputy mayor, city manager, deputy city manager, finance director and deputy finance director to sign signature cards and other necessary documentation related to the city’s banking relationships with SunTrust Bank, now Truist Bank, Bank of America N.A., and US Bank N.A., which are depositories for the City.
• Issued proclamations in recognition of Fair Housing Month and Water Conservation Month.
• Heard from a resident who is having an issue with his fence. According to city officials, he received a permit for a 6-foot fence, but an 8-foot fence was built, which came to the attention of Code Enforcement. City Manager Bill Sturgeon can he is confident the issue can be resolved and pledged that city staff will work with the property owner.
• Heard from a resident regarding tax exemptions under the Historic Preservation Act; City Manager Bill Sturgeon said city staff will get back to her with answers within a week.
• The the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 22. All meetings are held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 1300 9th St. Social distancing is in effect, and attendees are required to wear masks.
