HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 [12] Dec 08 (2)
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ST. JOSEPH JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
December 8, 1975
Members present: Tmillship - Erv Studer, Al Torberg, Al Theisen, Nick Froehle,
Bob Fulton; City - Ron Klein, Al Naleska, Paul Brinkman; Council representative - I
Hugo Weyrens; st. Benedict College representative - Mike Ryan.
Ben Kremer chaired the meeting and started by asking Bob Fulton to read the
minutes of the November 10 meeting. They were approved as read.
The chairman than spent a few minutes explaining the purpose of the meeting to
the 15 - 20 people that were present. He stated we were exploring land use
possibilities in Zone 1, Area B and asked the landowners in the area to come
and express their intentions. He stated further that we were not planning to
rezone now, but only gathering information as a part of a comprehensive plan
for the whole orderly annexation area. The actual rezoning would take place
\\'hen the area \\'as actually annexed to the City. A zoning map was displayed and
Zone 1, Area B was zoned light green, for which there \\'as no discription in the
key. The best guess was that it was zoned residential (probably R-3) .
The meeting \\'as then opened to the residents present and a lengthy question and
answer period followed. The most important aspects are summarized belo\\'.
Al Hoffman asked if we had explored the possibility of Federal or State money
to help in planning for the area. Hugo \\'eyrens stated that we were supposed to
be receiving money to help \\'ith updating the sewage treatment plant, but have
not yet received the funds. Later in the meeting Hugo suggested we might contact
Region 7W for help in planning.
Some residents mentioned that some areas in the city presently do not have city I
water and sewer services and expressed concern about this happening in the
orderly annexation area. Ben Kremer answered by stating that those areas In
question were not annexed to the city, but were a part of the original village.
He mentioned further that the purpose of orderly annexation and our planning is
to insure that that very thing does not happen in the future.
Mrs. Kron asked if the city \\'ould honor the zoning that preváils in an area when
it is annexed to the city. Ben Kremer said that it would come into the city
zoned R-2 (agricultural) and can then be rezoned after considering the opinion
of the maJority of property millers. He cautioned, however, that a comprehen-
sive plan must take into account many factors and it will be impossible to
please everybody - we will do the best we can for all concerned.
illrs. Wahlstrom asked if Zone 1, Area B would be desirable for commercial ex-
pansion for the city. Ben Kremer said that he thought so. illrs. \\'ahlstrom
expressed concern about the impact on the whole area.
Jim Graeve stated that he felt the way to proceed was to first decide \\'hat we
(meaning residents, 1 and millers , businessmen, etc. ) want st. Joseph to become
in the future. He said that everybody has their mill selfish motives (residents
want it to stay residential, landm·mers want it commercial, etc. ) and a compre-
hensive plan should try to please everybody, but it ultimately must be ,.,rhat I s
best for the community as a \\'hole. The landowners with vacant land \\'ere asked
what they had in mind for use of that land. I
j\lrs. Roske said she didn I t ¡mow \\'hat she \\'ill do with hers.
Bill \\'asner said he definitely \.,rants his rezoned commercial.
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Al Hoffman wants his zoned commercial, and plans tD have it plotted next spring.
chuck Cushing prefers residential, but light commercial such as a bank, post
I office, etc. wouldn't bother him.
Gene Scherer said he would like the land between his house and Chuck Cushing to
be residential and the property north of his Quonset garage to be commercial.
The other residents present generally preferred the area to be zoned residential,
but some felt that light commercial, such as doctors and dental offices, bank,
post office, etc. would be acceptable.
The second item on the agenda was a petition before the Township Board by Leonard
and Roger Bechtold to rezone 94.97 acres of SW ~ SE ~ Sec. 12 (T124 R29) from
Agricultural to I-2 (Industrial). The Town Board requested a recommendation
from the Joint Planning Commission.
After some discussion it was moved (AI Theisen) seconded (Erv Studer) and passed
(unanimously) that:
"The Joint Planning Commission recommends that the petition be denied for
the following reasons:
1. There is presently a large industrial area already available within
the township and near the area in question.
2. We are presently in the planning stages of a comprehensive plan and
rezoning of the area might be premature."
I Near the end of the meeting, Hugo Weyrens again expressed concern about the
"logging operation" that appears to be getting started north of the City.
Nick Froehle said he would look into it and report back to the committee.
At the next regular meeting, the residents and landowners of Zone 1, Area C will
be invited to discuss land use in that area. The secretary was asked to contact
those concerned.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Fulton, Secretary
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