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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.10.25March 101h, 2025 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met on Monday, March 10th, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioners Keith Louwagie, Isabella Margl, Jon Hazen, Gina Dullinger, Andrew Mooney, Carmie Mick via Zoom Staff Present: Nate Keller Public Comments: Novak Housing Concept Idea Brandon Novak: Novak shared he owns the property located at 117 MN ST E. Novak is proposing to remove the existing home and replace it with three or four homes. Each home would have a basement, main floor, and upstairs. The homes would cost approximately $215K per home, creating affordable housing in St. Joseph. Novak explained zoning is a hurdle at this time. Keller shared the lot is currently zoned R-1 single family. A potential path to achieve Novak's vision would include doing a`planned unit development and re -platting the lot into four separate lots. Additionally, a preliminary plat, final plat with a developer's agreement and a vacation of existing` easements on the property would be necessary to satisfy zoning requirements.Keller' added, part of the plat would include a re -dedication of easements around those units. Agenda Review & Adoption: Louwagie made a motion to approve Agenda Review & Adoption. The motion was seconded by Margl and passed unanimously. Approval of February 101h,,2025, minutes: Margl made a motion to approve the February 10th. minutes. The motion was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously by those present. New Business: a. Variance for Proposed Sign at 33 West Minnesota Street (public hearing) Keller presented a variance request for an outdoor projecting sign at 33 W MN St. Uptown Styles is proposing to install a projecting sign in front of their business 'on the 2nd level. Due to an existing awning the sign cannot be placed on the first floor. The city's ordinance currently allows projecting signs on the first floor of buildings in the downtown district, hence the reason' for the variance request. Staff are aware of a similar sign nearby which is installed on the 2nd level. The proposed sign meets all other requirements. Staff prepared a finding of fact which prompts a public hearing. Hazen opened the public hearing at 6:09PM. As no one wished to speak, Hazen closed the public hearing at 6:09PM Louwagie made a motion to approve the Finding of Fact resolution PC2025-001 approving variance to the proposed sign location. The motion was seconded by Margl and passed unanimously. Keller presented items b. = f. Presently, the Beeline property is four separate parcels with a gap ;area that splits the lots into two lots on the east and west sides. The applicant is proposing to re -plat the parcels (into one parcel), vacate old easements, operate an automobile sales and service facility and have outdoor storage. A Conditional Use Permit is required for automobile` dealerships and outside storage. b. MPBC Property Management, LLC Vacation of Easement for MJH Addition Lot 001, Lot 002, Block 001 (public hearing) Hazen opened the public hearing at 6:14PM. As no one wished to speak, Hazen closed the public hearing at 6:14PM. March 101h, 2025 Page 2 of 3 Dullinger made a motion on resolution PC2025-002, approving Vacation of Easements for MJH Addition Lot 001, Lot 002, Block 001. The motion was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously. c. MPBC Property Management, LLC Vacation of Easement for RMR Addition Lot 001, Block 001 (public hearing) Hazen opened the public hearing at 6:15PM As no one wished to speak, Hazen closed the public hearing at 6:15PM. Mooney made a motion on resolution PC2025-003, approving Vacation of Easements for RMR Addition Lot 001, Block 001. The motion was seconded by Margl and passed unanimously. d. MPBC Property Management, LLC Preliminary Plat (public hearing) Keller explained this item is the preliminary and final plat for the subject properties. This will consolidate the four parcels into one parcel with the new easements being dedicated. Keller noted the property owner submitted an updated graphic which depicts a dedicated easement around the proposed ponding area. Hazen opened the public hearing at 6:1713M. As no one wished to speak, Hazen closed the public hearing at 6:17PM. Louwagie made a motion on resolution PC2025-004 approving preliminary plat of "Beeline." The motion was seconded by Dullinger and passed unanimously. e. MPBC Property Management, LLC Final Plat Keller noted that a developer's agreement is not part of this final plat because there is no infrastructure being dedicated, there are no streets, and there are no utilities. Margl made a motion on resolution PC2025-005 approving final plat of "Beeline." The motion was seconded by Dullinger and passed unanimously. f. MPBC Property Management, LLC Conditional Use permit (public hearing) Keller gave an overview of the proposed Conditional Use Permit and highlighted the staff conditions listed in the findings of fact. Keller stated the applicant is available for questions. Dullinger asked if the applicant is required to stripe the parking lot. Keller replied that it is not a stipulation in city ordinance. Margl asked if the repair shop portion of the business will be doing oil change type repairs or body work type repairs. Mooney asked the applicant if they were planning to keep the trailer storage on site. Duan Westra Applicant: Westra replied, the business will not be performing auto body repairs. Westra went on to explain that the trailers will be moved more toward the north side of the property, making the south side available to display vehicles. Hazen opened the public hearing at 6:31 PM. As no one wished to speak, Hazen closed the public hearing at 6:31 PM. March 10", 2025 Page 3 of 3 Mooney made a motion of Finding of Fact Resolution PC2025-006 approving Conditional Use Permit. The motion was seconded by Dullinger and passed unanimously. Old Business: a. Planning Commission — Ordinance 205 discussion Keller explained the PC discussed revising Ordinance 205 at the February PC meeting. The PC was agreeable to the staff updates apart from section 205.02, Membership. Discussion centered around potentially allowing membership for those who reside within two miles of city limits or to those who are in the Orderly Annexation Area. Keller displayed a map of the Orderly Annexation Area (OAA) and invited PC to share their thoughts. PC unanimously agreed to revise the ordinance to allow residents in the OAA to become members of the Planning Commission. Other Business: a. General Updates Keller provided updates on the House of Hem opening, potential housing projects, the short-term rental ordinance approval by council, and the Precise Heating expansion. Hazen asked about the old Casey's gas station property, the Laser Dentistry building, and the Municipal Dispensary. Admiourn: Dullinger moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 PM. The motion was seconded by Louwagie and the motion carried. Minutes approved by: Nate Keller Community Development Director