In planning business on Tuesday, the Park Rapids City Council approved a conditional use permit (CUP) requested by Beaudry Oil and Propane LLC to build a retail propane distribution and service office on a frontage road running east from Western Ave. along the north side of State Hwy. 34.

City Planner Andrew Mack noted that the CUP was denied the first time it was brought to the city’s planning commission after Todd Township residents on the west side of Western Ave. objected to the original proposal, involving a direct entrance from Western Ave.

At the second hearing, Mack said, the commission voted unanimously to recommend that the city council approve the CUP with 12 conditions, including a prohibition against filling propane cylinders of less than 100 pounds on site and fire department approval of a disaster plan.

Council member Liz Stone moved to approve the CUP, and the motion passed without dissent.

Meadow’s Edge

The council also approved a CUP requested by the Hubbard County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) to proceed with the Meadow’s Edge apartment project, similar and adjacent to the 28-unit Meadow View apartment building completed in January off Career Path.

Regarding the five conditions recommended by the planning commission, Mack emphasized one requiring a development agreement with the city for street and utility improvements on Career Path.

Council member Tom Conway moved to approve the CUP, and the motion passed unopposed.

Later in the meeting, the city council authorized city staff to execute a grant contract with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, accepting a $650,000 grant to assist the HCHRA in developing the Meadow’s Edge project.

City Administrator Ryan Mathisrud explained that the city is serving as the fiduciary for state grant funds on the project.