HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [05] May 12
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St.
Joseph met in regular session Monday, May 12, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City
Hall.
Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Linda
Sniezek, Marge Lesnick, Dan Nierengarten, Kurt Schneider. Council Liaison Cory
Ehlert. Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens.
Other Present: June Hoffman, Leon Hoffman, Joanne Zipp, Lee Zipp, Steve Hofman,
Jeff Waletzko, Jerry Schroden, Wayne Lepinski, Greg Smoley, Vicki Osendorf, Joe
Miller, Bruce Osendorf, Jim Graeve, Mary Ann Graeve, Al Stelmach
Al Stellmach - Special Use Permit, Cold Storage Units: Chair Klein called the hearing to
order at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a request for a special use
permit. This permit would allow the construction of 75 cold storage units in an
industrial zone. Zoning Ordinance 52.21 subd 4 states, II All industrial uses shall require
a special use permit."
Additionally the hearing will consider a twenty foot variance on the rear yard setback.
St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.21 subd 6 [c] states that rear yard setbacks shall not be
less than 20 feet.
The property is legally described as Lot 003; Block 001, Neu Addition.
The request for special use and variance has been submitted by Al Stellmach,
Ridgewood Self Storage, 562 Sa uk View Drive, St. Cloud MN 56303.
Al Stellmach spoke on his own behalf. He stated the proposed Special Use Permit
would allow the construction of a storage facility 10' x 15', containing 47 individual
units. To maximize the property Stellmach stated that they are also requesting a zero
foot setback on the rear lot line. Stellmach stated he is requesting the variance because
of the unique shape of the parcel and the proposed layout best fits the property. He
stated that with the existing units they have experienced problems in winter. Snow
blows across the open areas gathering in front of the doors and seeps into the storage
units. Therefore, reversing the direction of the units would resolve this problem.
Weyrens reported that the Building Official, Dale Haug, expressed two concerns when
reviewing the proposed construction. 1) Fire Access - Since the Railroad is selling the
track right of way in areas, we are uncertain as to the development behind the proposed
storage units. If the property would be developed by another party there may not be
adequate room for fire truck access. 2) Building Codes - The State Building Codes
require a twenty (20) foot setback in an Industrial area unless the building is
constructed with a four (4) hour rated wall.
Commissioners encouraged Stellmach to design the project to meet the Ordinance
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requirements. Stellmach questioned the Commission if they would approve a ten (10)
foot variance on the rear yard. The Commission stated this matter would need to be
referred to the Building Official and the Fire Chief for their review and
recommendation.
Kalinowski made a motion to recommend the City Council approve the special use
permit to construct mini storage units based on the following findings:
The special use permit being requested is consistent with St. Joseph Code of Ordinances
52.8 subd a-k (less g), standards for granting special use requests.
The mini storage unit proposed is an extension of the storage units already constructed.
The motion was seconded by Lesnick.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert.
Nays: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0
Lesnick made a motion to table the variance request to June 2, 1997 so the plan can be
reviewed by the Fire Chief and Building Official; seconded by Nierengarten.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert.
Nays: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0
The hearing was closed at 7:45 p.m.
Leon Hoffman - Accessory Building Discussion: Leon Hoffman appeared before the
Commission to request a variance hearing to allow the construction of an accessory
building. Hoffman currently has a total of 528 feet of accessory building space and is
requesting to add an additional 660 feet, placing him 288 feet over the maximum
allowed. Leander Zipp also requested authorization to conduct a variance hearing to
allow additional accessory building space on his property. Zipp would also need a
variance on the maximum lot coverage if the variance is granted.
Klein discussed the need for the Planning Commission to review the Ordinance
pertaining to accessory building space and maximum allowed lot coverage. If the
request for variance is of a recurrent nature, the Commission should review the
Ordinance to see if the Ordinance needs changing.
The Commission agreed to schedule the hearing for both Hoffman and Zipp on June 2,
1997.
Jeff Waletzko - Fence Clarification: Jeff Waletzko, 127 -12th Avenue SE, appeared before
the Commission to receive clarification on fencing requirements. He would like to
install a privacy fence around his property, but was told by the Building Official that
since his property abuts two roads, he has two front yard setbacks. Fencing
requirements only allow four (4) foot high fences on front yards, and he is requesting to
install a six (6) foot fence onone of the frontages. The Commission concurred with the
Building Official, requiring the property owner to abide by the front yard setbacks.
May 12, 1997 Page 2/3
Jerry Schroden - Discussion on Re-zoning Property: Jerry Schroden appeared before the
Commission to discuss the possibility of re-zoning the property at 414 East Minnesota
Street. Schroden stated that he has a signed purchase agreement and would like to rent
a portion of the property to five (5) students. In addition to the students, two (2) of his
daughters would be living in the house. He stated in previous years the property had
two rental licenses. Weyrens informed the Commission that the rental license for that
property had lapsed and only one license may be obtained with a maximum of three (3)
unrelated persons. In checking with the City Attorney, the only alternative is to
conduct a re-zoning hearing. The Ordinance limiting the number of persons residing in
a rental unit is by definition, and a variance cannot be sought on a definition. The
Commission agreed to schedule a re-zoning hearing on June 2, 1997.
Northland Access: Ehlert discussed the need for the Planning Commission to follow
through on the access situation for Northland Addition. Ehlert and Lesnick agreed to
research the past documentation and report back to the Planning Commission.
Budget Propane: The City Council has tabled the decision regarding Budget Propane to
May IS, 1997 and are requesting the Planning Commission attend the meeting to
further discuss the proposal.
Moratorium - Land Use: Sniezek presented information on the rights of a City to
impose a moratorium on land use, especially when revising or drafting a
Comprehensive Plan. As the City is in such a process, Sniezek requested the
Commission request the Council to place a land use moratorium on all property north
of Minnesota Street from 3rd Avenue NE to 915\ Avenue and North of CR 75, west of
College A venue North to Millstream Park. After discussion, Klein made a motion
requesting the City Council place a six (6) month moratorium on the above mentioned
property; seconded by Nierengarten.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert.
Nays: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0
Minutes: Kalinowski made a motion to approve the minutes as presented; seconded
by Sniezek.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert.
Nays: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0
Adjourn: Nierengarten made a motion to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.; seconded by Klein.
A yes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert.
Nays: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0
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