Sartell Considers Releasing Properties From Moratorium

SARTELL -- Sartell officials will consider releasing two properties from a moratorium during Monday's council meeting.

Back in May, the council approved a one-year moratorium of any new development on three general areas near the river: the paper mill site, parts of DeZurik and the hydro facility.

During the meeting the council will look to remove the moratorium from the DeZurik property and the hydro facility.

Planning and Community Development Director Anita Archambeau says a task force has been reviewing the properties and felt the properties were eligible for an exception to the moratorium.

In order to release the properties, the task force recommended DeZurik and hydro facility properties current land use and zoning still be designated as Heavy Industrial/I2 property. If either property ceases to exist, the city should consider a land use or zoning change for redevelopment purposes.

With the properties lifted from the moratorium, the task force would have complete focus on how to best redevelop the former Verso site.

Back in December, the city brought in consultants with the Urban Land Institute to discuss possible redevelopment. Once they release their final report the task force will have a better idea of how to move forward.