HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.12.25Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met on
Monday, May 12th, 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,
Andrew Mooney, Mark Thompson
Staff Present: Nate Keller
Public Comments: None
Agenda Review & Adoption: Thompson made a motion to approve Agenda Review & Adoption. The
motion was seconded by Margl and passed unanimously.
Approval of April 14th, 2025, minutes: Margl made a motion to approve the April 14th minutes. The
motion was seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously by those present.
New Business:
a. Interim Use Permit —Residential Rental in Commercial Area — 403 1st Ave NE(public hearing)
Obbink Distilling is proposing to operate a residential rental at 403 1 st Ave NE. Historically the home has
been used as an owner -occupied property. Interim Use permits are required for any residential within
Commercial areas. Keller asked the Commission for feedback and discussion on the duration of the Interim
Use and what the Commission feels may be appropriate. Ordinance states a max duration of five years.
Commission members asked questions related to future expansion plans for Obbink. Adam Weber from
Obbink responded that it is unknown when phase 2 would proceed.
Hazen opened the public hearing.
No one spoke at the hearing.
Hazen closed the public hearing.
Thompson made a motion to approve resolution PC2025-009 with the added date of May 19tn, 2030
(extending the Interim Use permit for max limit of five years). The motion was seconded by Margl
and passed unanimously by those present.
b. Bayou Alley Flats P.U.D. amendment — (public hearing)
Bayou Alley Flats are proposing to amend their P.U.D. agreement. Purpose is to allow Flour and Flower
to expand their building with a cooler and construct an outdoor patio. The proposal would involve
eliminating the middle vehicular access to the East of their building. The change is considered a minor
P.U.D. amendment and as such requires a public hearing.
Keller provided background on safety considerations, departmental concerns, non -conforming aspects of
the existing building, internal traffic circulation, P.U.D. history and design of the patio and cooler.
Alternative patio locations were discussed, including a northern option, but challenges remain due to site
constraints, internal operations, trash enclosure requirements, and circulation concerns, particularly
related to refuse pickup if the middle drive is removed.
The Commission discussed traffic flow, alley congestion, pedestrian/vehicle conflicts, and site safety.
Applicant and property owner, Petters, addressed questions and concerns raised by the Commission.
Hazen opened the public hearing.
Shawn Riesner owner of the La Playette spoke in favor of the proposed patio expansion. Mr. Riesner did
mention some frustration on folks who utilize the parking on the Northern portion of his property however
does not believe additional signage will do anything to detour folks.
Ann Riesner owner of the La Playette spoke in favor of the expansion. Riesner also echoed Shawns
comments about not needing more signage.
Kevin Kluesner 29645 951h Ave spoke in support of the request and business expansion and on the lack
of effectiveness of signage.
Hazen closed the public hearing.
Hazen made a motion to table the request. The reasoning was to better understand other options
which would not result in closure of the vehicle access point including expanding the patio to the
North, relocating trash receptacles, and cooler expansion options. The purpose is to understand
in more detail how and if other options are possible/feasible. The motion was seconded by
Louwagie and passed 4-1 (Margl was nay)
Old Business:
a. Special Home Occupation License Renewal — 201 Pond View Lane (public hearing)
Keller provided background on the request. The request is a renewal. The Home Occupation was approved
last year for an initial term of one year. Since that time staff have had zero concerns/complaints and
recommend the renewal extent for the maximum length of five years. Keller explained the different licensing
components for massage therapy including how the Home Occupation license differs from the Massage
Therapy annual license.
Hazen opened the public hearing.
No one spoke
Hazen closed the public hearing.
Thompson motioned to approve resolution PC2025-011 approving the Special Home Occupation
license until May 19th, 2030. The motion was seconded by Margl and passed unanimously.
b. Chicken Ordinance
Keller provided background on the requirements other area cities within St. Cloud have for chickens, along
with sample ordinances and common ordinance language cities have.
Plenty of discussion ensured about: quantities of chickens, chicken coop sizes/requirements, appropriate
setbacks for chicken coops, location/design and standards for coops, permit requirements, prohibiting
things like slaughter, breeding, roosters, crowing hens, selling of eggs on the property, inspections, and
more.
Keller will try to draft a few different options for how an ordinance may look including different approaches,
and levels of restrictiveness.
Other Business:
a. General Updates
Keller provided updates on: Enforcement, parking spot striping around the House I Food and Tap, Ribbon
Cutting's for Well and Company and Blush Salon, River's Bend trail paving.
Adiourn: Thompson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:38PM. The motion was seconded by Margl
and the motion carried.
Minutes approved by:
Nate Keller
Community Development Director