WILLMAR — The Willmar Planning Commission on Wednesday in a split 3-3 vote failed to approve the purchase agreement between the city of Willmar and Cura for the sale of 5.54 acres of parkland for a senior housing facility.
The purchase agreement for the land was approved by the Willmar City Council on Feb. 20, after which time the Planning Commission had 30 days to approve or deny it.
Because the Planning Commission failed to approve the sale Wednesday night, the matter is now returned to the Willmar City Council, which will need at least five affirmative votes to overturn the Planning Commission decision.
Cura is proposing to develop an 80- to 120-unit senior living facility on the parkland, which is located directly south of Willmar Avenue Southwest in the Swansson Recreation Field Complex between the two walking paths. In conjunction with the development, a one-acre or larger stormwater project is also proposed on additional parkland outside of the 5.54-acre segment.
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Read more from Wednesday night's discussion in this expanded story.
This location is also home to Willmar’s southwest well field, one of the few well fields identified through research by the Willmar Municipal Utilities that could provide water to the city as it continues to grow.
Planning Commissioner Steve Dresler made the motion to approve the purchase agreement with the condition that the city of Willmar and the developer, Cura, work with Willmar Municipal Utilities to ensure that the proposed development and the proposed stormwater project will all fit on the site without impeding future well development at that location. It was seconded by Commissioner Christopher Buzzeo.
Voting in favor of the motion were Dresler and commissioners Yvon Fils-Aime and Gary Newberg. Voting against the motion were Buzzeo, Commissioner Stacy Holwerda and Board Chair Jonathan Marchand. Commissioners Fernando Cano, Kelsey Vosika and Bob Poe were absent from the meeting.
The main concerns of the commissioners who voted against the purchase agreement were the selling of parkland after the Willmar Parks and Recreation Board had failed to approve the sale of the same land in July of 2023 in a separate proposal, the loss of green space, concerns about the stormwater management at the location and the concerns of Willmar Municipal Utilities.
During the meeting, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission Executive Director Aaron Backman again went over the purchase agreement with the Planning Commission.
Cura owner and president Tom Opatz shared with the Planning Commission that Cura on Tuesday had closed on the purchase of the adjacent care center and therapy suites. Although the facility was being managed by Cura, it was owned by the city of Willmar and had been leased for several years to CentraCare, along with other hospital assets.
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He also shared with the Planning Commission why this is the ideal location for the development, including that it would be adjacent to the care center and the park amenities and the difficulty in finding other land in the city of Willmar at an affordable price for the development of affordable senior housing.
Willmar Municipal Utilities General Manager John Harren was also in attendance Wednesday night and allowed to speak about concerns with the potential development and stormwater project at that location. He reiterated that Willmar Municipal Utilities is supportive of the project, but that, at this point in time, is not supportive of the sale of land in the Willmar well field.
He told the Planning Commission that he has received information and recommendations back from the wellhead consultant, which have been submitted to the city, and there is a meeting set up with city staff and Cura representatives to examine the feasibility of the project while still protecting the city’s well field.
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