St. Cloud City Council voted 4-1 this week to reject a mediated settlement agreement with Hickory Tree Industrial to resolve a dispute related to Council’s November 9, 2023, denial of a land use and zoning change for the property where a concrete crushing facility is operating.
City Code Enforcement had initiated an action against the property owner to address the unpermitted concrete crushing facility. Residents who attended the November meeting urged Council to deny the land use and zoning change citing noise and dust concerns. Following the Council’s vote in November, the applicant challenged the denial, and the City participated in mandatory mediation before an appointed special magistrate.
The mediated settlement agreement would have allowed the facility to continue operating with several stipulations, including moving the concrete crushing operation to an area of the property farther away from residences, limiting the days and hours of operation, and requiring noise and dust mitigation measures.
Nearby residents attended Thursday’s meeting and urged Council to reject the agreement, citing continued concerns over noise and dust.
Council members rejected the proposed agreement.
“We’re trying to beat a square peg into a round hole here,” said Deputy Mayor Linette Matheny, who made the motion to reject the proposed agreement. “It’s just not the right location.”
Council Member Ken Gilbert, who expressed concern that the business would follow the requirements of the agreement, cast the lone vote against the motion to reject the offer.