Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Despite pushback from the city, Rochester Public Schools has started the annexation process for land it wants to use for a new middle school.

RPS has submitted an application to annex 80-acres of land in Rochester Township. The site is located on the north side of 40th Street SE, between Bamber Valley Road SW and Odyssey Drive SW.

RPS has said future plans for the site could include a high school and elementary school.

In past meetings of RPS and the City Council, some councilmembers and city staff members expressed reluctance to support the proposal. The primary concern is the site doesn’t conform with long-term development goals for that part of the city. Staff concerns have included traffic changes and the cost of added infrastructure.

The city proposed working with RPS in evaluating other sites. But an RPS consultant told the council this site is deemed the best for a new middle school.

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