Rezoning called for 207 Division Street East property

By Brenda Erdahl

Anchor Living LLC has withdrawn its application for a Conditional Use Permit to use the 207 Division Street East property as a facility for adult males recovering from substance abuse, Maple Lake Mayor Lynn Kissock informed residents at the Monday, Aug. 5 city council meeting

The withdrawal comes after an emotional council meeting, Tuesday, July 16 at which numerous parents, grandparents and neighborhood residents spoke against the proposed facility citing the potential for drug abuse was too high considering the proximity to St. Timothy School and the Community Park playground.

On Monday, residents requested The City revisit current property zoning ordinances to make sure similar businesses never get the chance to open there in the future.

“We are a small community, and I don’t want a similar near chance experience to happen to another group of people. Revisiting the zoning and general area surrounding all our schools, parks and locations where children frequent would be advantageous to ensure the welfare of our most vulnerable groups is consistently placed at the forefront of community importance,” said Jen Rasset who has children enrolled at St. Timothy School.

The 207 Division Street East property previously housed a residential treatment center for adolescent boys and current zoning allows for facilities like the one Anchor Living proposed. Rasset asked that The City rezone the property into standard residential to avoid future requests from similar businesses.

Carrie Jones, who has more than a decade of experience working with individuals with disorders like chemical dependency, called rezoning the property to standard residential a prudent action considering the proximity to St. Timothy School and parish.