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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [10] Oct 13 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the Planning Commission for the City of St. - Joseph met in regular session on Monday, October 13, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners Marge Lesnick, Kurt Schneider, - Dan Nierengarten. Council Liaison Cory Ehlert. Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens Others Present: Steve Johnson, Len Wiener, Gary Schroeder, Bruce Gohman, Jim Muellenbach, Bob Wahlstrom, Ellen Wahlstrom, Mike Deutz, Pete Evans, Dave Thomas, Chad Carlson. Steve Johnson - Retail Car Discussion: Steve Johnson appeared before the Commission to request authorization to park cars east of the property owned by Why USA, 1511 East Minnesota Street. He stated that historically cars have been parked on the vacant lot and he and his partners would like to continue that service. Johnson presented a proposed drawing of the site, indicating where the cars would be parked. He stated they would limit the amount of cars at any given time to four (4). Johnson stated that they had been selling cars until they received notification from the City that selling cars was not allowed under the current zoning. Ehlert requested a copy of the correspondence from the City requesting such. Lesnick expressed concern with allowing the car lot as it will be at the entrance of the City. Ellen Wahlstrom stated a greenway would be more pleasing than a car lot. Ehlert made a motion to schedule a public hearing for a Special Use Permit to allow selling of cars at 1511 East Minnesota Street. The hearing will be on November 3, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Nierengarten and passed unanimously. Schneider stated his objection to a property owner requesting a Special Use or Variance with the rationale that the property is uniquely shaped or cannot be used for anything else when the property is purchased for the purpose of development. Len Wiener: Appeared before the Commission to discuss a proposed mini golf course in an General Business District. He stated that he is looking at leasing the building on the comer of College Avenue North and Ash Street West (former VFW). The Commission was in general agreement that a Special Use Permit would be required for the operation of such. Additionally, at the public hearing a parking plan would need to be submitted. The Commission requested Weyrens to contact the City Attorney to determine the amount of parking that would be required and to schedule the public hearing for November 3, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. Weyrens informed Wiener that the property owner needs to make application for the Special Use Permit. Gary Schroder - Special Use Hearing. Sports Warehouse Facility: Klein opened the hearing at 7:40 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the issuance of a Special Use Permit. The permit is necessary to construct a Sports Warehouse - Distribution Facility. St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.21 subd 2 states all permitted industrial uses shall require a Special Use Permit. The property is legally described: I TRACT A: That part of Lot 9, AUDITOR'S SUBDIVISION NUMBER 4, a duly recorded plat in Stearns County, Minnesota, which lies East of the West 186.50 feet thereof North of the northerly right of way line of County Road Number 75 (formerly U.S. Trunk Highway Number 52) and West of a Hne drawn Due South from a point which is 800.00 feet Due West of a point on the west line of SCHNElDER'S ADDITION, a duly recorded plat in said county and state, distant 800.00 feet northerly of the intersection of said west line with said northerly right of way line of County Road Number 75. Together with an easement for ingress and egress over that part of the South Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 9, Township 124, Range 29, Stearns County, Minnesota, which lies with 33 feet on each side of the following described line: Commencing at a point on the west line of SCHNEIDER'S ADDITION a duly recorded plat in Stearns County, Minnesota, distant 800.00 feet northerly of the intersection of said west line with the northerly right of way line of County Road Number 75 (formerly U.S. Trunk Highway Number 52); thence Due West for 800.00 feet; thence Due South to a line drawn parallel with and 33.00 feet northerly of the north line of Lot 9, AUDITOR'S SUBDIVISION NUMBER 4, a duly recorded play in said county and state, this being the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence westerly along said parallel line to its intersection with the west 1ine of the East Half of said Section 9; thence deflect to the left along tangential curve having a radius of 80.00 feet and a central angle of 5300, for 74.00 feet; thence southwesterly on tangent to said curve to the northerly right of way line of said County Road Number 75 and there terminating. Said easement shall be open to public travel for the enjoyment and benefit of all parcels abutting thereon. The request for special use has been submitted by Gary Schroeder, Schroder Sports, PO Box 400, Waite Park MN 56387. Gary Schroeder spoke on his own behalf. He stated that he has been in the sports retail business for 35 years and has been operating his business in St. Augusta, He has recently purchased the property described above and is requesting a Special Use Permit. Schroeder Sports currently employees nine (9) employees with the primary business being school distribution of athletic needs. The proposed building will include a showroom with retail targeted to team sports. The proposed building is approximately 21,600 square feet including an office/showroom and two (2) warehouses. The facility will have two loading berths and provide 14 parking stalls. The site plan also includes shrubbery around the facility. Bruce Gohman expressed his gratitude for assistance provided by the EDA Director. Ehlert made a motion to recommend the Council approve the Special Use Permit to allow the construction of a Sports Warehouse Distribution Facility as presented. Approval is based on the following findings: October 13, 1997 Page 2 of 4 The proposed use is consistent with St Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.8 I subd 4. fa-kI, standards for issuance of a Special Use Permit. The motion was seconded by Nierengarten and passed unanimously by those present. Gohman questioned the sign regulations and how they apply to Schroeder Sports. He stated the only signage will be constructed of letters each two (2) feet in height with the name. St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.13 subd 11 states: Business or industrial signs may be erected, attached or painted on to a structure, and maintained in conjunction with a commercial or industrial use provided: a) that the area on one side of all such signs erected on one street frontage of anyone premises, shall not exceed fifty (50) feet. Gohman stated that because of the length of the name, it will exceed the fifty (50) feet. The Commission referred this matter to the City Council and City Attomey, but encouraged the Council to approve the signage. Schroeder discussed access to the property and if the City would consider plowing the east I west access. This is private property, but Schroeder felt that since he would not be benefiting from many City services, it could be a good will gesture. Ehlert stated that the Council has not been receptive to plowing alleys, but he will present the request to the Council. Bee Line Marine - Buildinq Permit Authorization: Chad Carlson spoke on behalf of Bee Line Marine. He stated Bee Line Marine is proposing to construct a 48' x 62' addition to the existing structure. The addition will be used for repair and the existing building will become a showroom. The Commission discussed what in their opinion is an unsightly mess around the existing structure. At times car parts and storage containers have been visible from County Road 75. Therefore, Lesnick made a motion to authorize Bee Line Marine to make application for a building permit contingent upon the following: 1. The property owner wíll provide a plan as to where repair parts and storage containers wiff be located before a certificate of occupancy is issued or the final inspection. 2. The property owner wiff not store any car parts, repair parts, packing materials or debris in the front of the building, visible from County Road 75. The motion was seconded by Nierengarten and passed unanimously by those present. October 13, 1997 Page 3 of 4 I Council Liaison Reports Ehlert {fiscussed the Land Use Moratorium and Council comments to such. He stated that not all members of the Council are supportive of the proposal recommended by the Commission. The major concerns are the properties abutting and west of County Road 133, (Graeve and Wahlstrom), and the Scherer property (vacant lot). It is the opinion of some Councilors that this is spot zoning and future planning was not considered. Ehlert expressed his disappointment in the Council not expressing their views before the public hearing. Ehlert also stated that he cannot project 20 years in the future and would rather review the zoning every five years. If the Commission is responsible for reviewing the Comprehensive Plan every five years, the zoning should also be reviewed. Ellen Wahlstrom stated her objection to zoning her property General Business. She stated that the residential neighborhoods of St. Joseph should be preserved. The Comprehensive Plan adopted by the City of St. Joseph states the City will do such. Wahlstrom encouraged the Commission and City Council to abide by the Comprehensive Plan. Mike Oeutz stated that in his opinion single family homes will not develop along County Road 75 and therefore the property should be zoned General Business. Adjourn: Lesnick made a motion to adjourn at 9:07 p.m.; seconded by Nierengarten and passed unanimously by those present. - - ~~ puty Clerk October 13, 1997 Page 4 of 4