WILLMAR -- The Planning Commission has approved a zoning change that would allow the proposed 16-bed psychiatric hospital in southeast Willmar. The rezoning was approved Wednesday night and will be forwarded to the City Council for adoption.
The zoning change from medium density residential to limited business would allow construction of the hospital on a two-acre piece of land owned by Jeff and Sue Danielson of Willmar. The parcel is located at 1209-1217 Seventh St. S.E.
The site was selected from more than 20 sites by the Minnesota Department of Human Services as the preferred site for the psychiatric hospital.
The property is the location of the former KindleHope residential facility for developmentally disabled persons.
The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission is negotiating with the Danielsons to buy the property. The EDC is financing the construction of the $4 million facility and will become the building's owner.
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The deal tentatively calls for the EDC to lease the building to Kandiyohi County, which in turn will sublease it to the Department of Human Services for operation of the psychiatric program.
The zoning change was initiated by city staff and the Planning Commission, said Bruce Peterson, director of planning and economic development.
The limited business zone will provide a transition from commercial development to the west and residential development to the east, he said.
Peterson recommended the commission approve the rezoning, which will be considered by the council at the regular meeting on Nov. 20. The council would hold a hearing before adopting the zoning change.
The Planning Commission held its own hearing to take comments from neighboring landowners. Jerry Gesch said he owns property to the west and said his family believes the hospital would be a good addition to the area.
City Council member Jim Dokken asked that other possible sites, such as publicly-owned land, be considered for the hospital.
Also, Dokken said neighbors have concerns about the site.
Commission Chairman Jeff Nagel said the Planning Commission was only considering the zoning change and the use of the property, and not other issues.
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The facility is one of 10 community psychiatric hospitals being built in Minnesota. Six of them are already in operation; another three will open within the next few months.
The 16-bed facility in Willmar will replace acute psychiatric services at Willmar Regional Treatment Center, which is closing.
In other business, the commission:
n Approved a plan review for Alex Brick and Stone of Alexandria, which plans to construct a building and sell decorative stone products at a 1.67-acre site at Eastgate Addition, located at 156-164 25th St. S.E.
