As you may have seen in a letter from the City of Stillwater, Lakeview has asked for a variance that would allow them to build a hospital that is 118 feet tall on the south side (facing the freeway) and 138 feet on the north side (facing the neighborhoods.

In short, Lakeview lied to the Planning Commission, the City Council and the residents of Stillwater about the height of the building.

The petition has asked for the building to be no higher than 72 feet, which still presents a number of issues, and to relocate the loading dock to the side facing the highway.

Isn’t it curious that the increase in height (34 feet) is nearly the same as the decrease in height (32 feet) this petition has requested? This is an age-old ploy of asking for something more and then “settling” for the 104 feet they requested in the first place.

There are numerous issues with the proposed height -- some the same and some in addition to those in the initial petition.

You are urged to contact the City of Stillwater and comment on this before March 25, 2025. You can email your comments to the email address below, mail them to the mailing address below or attend in person. The hearing on the variance will be March 26, 2025. City Hall is located at 216 Fourth Street N. Stillwater, MN 55082.

All written or emailed comments will be entered into the record. The email addresses are:

PlanningDept@sttillwatermn.gov. Thank you.

Planning commission members:

• Bradley S. Swanson
• John Dybvig, chair
• Susan D. Steinwell, vice chair
• Jon North
• Eric Hoffman
• Shana L. Tomenes
• Larry Odebrecht
• Johnny Menhennet (staff)
• Ben Gutknect (staff)