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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 [02] Feb 02 - Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, February 2, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Marge Lesnick, Linda - Sniezek, Kurt Schneider, Jim Graeve. Council Liaison Cory Ehlert. Secretary Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Mike Kittridge, Joe Rennie, Jerry Frieler Mike Kittridae, Special Use Reouest: Chair Klein opened the hearing at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a Special Use Permit to allow for the construction of a truck storage facility. The property is zoned Industrial and St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.21 subd 2 states that all industrial uses shaU require a Special Use Permit. The property is legally described as: Lot Three (3), Block Two (2), Rennie Addition The request for special use has been submitted by Kittridge Specialized Transport, Inc.; Mike Kittridge; 40124 Wallaby Road; Rice, MN 56367. Mike Kittridge spoke on his own behalf. He stated he owns and operates Kittridge Specialized and is looking to establish a business site. Kittridge is proposing to construct a truck storage facility 50' x 84'. The front section ofthe building will used forftdure office space, with the rear being used truck storage. Construction is anticipated to begin in early spring. The Commission questioned Kittridge as to what type of landscaping he is proposing. Kittridge responded that it is his understanding that Joseph Street will be reconstructed in the near future and does not want to landscape if it will be tore out in a couple of years. After the street is reconstructed he will seed and plant shrubbery in the front. Wahlstrom encouraged the Commission to require landscaping as part of the Special Use Permit, deferring the actual work until after the reconstruction. She stated that in her opinion even though the area being discussed is an Industrial Park it is still important to landscape. Klein closed the hearing at 7:40 p.m. Kalinowski made a motion to approve the Resolution of Findings and recommends the City Council conditionally approve the Special Use Permit Request of Mike Kittridge. The motion was seconded by lesnick and passed unanimously by those present.. RESOLUTION OF FINDINGS The request of Mike Kittridge for a Special Use request came before the Planning Commission at a public hearing held on February 2, 1998. The purpose of the hearing was to consider a Special Use Permit to allow for the construction of ~ truck storage facility. The proposed building will be 84' x 50' and will store semi trucks. The property is zoned Industrial and S1. Joseph Code of Ordinances requires a Special Use Permit for all uses. Notice of this matter was duly served and published. In consideration of the information presented to the Planning Commission and its application to the Comprehensive Plan and Ordinances of the City of St. Joseph, the Planning Commission makes the following findings: Findings: The proposed use is consistent with St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.8 subd 4(a-k) Approval is based on the following contingencies: The property owner will landscape the property after the improvements are constructed on Joseph Street. February 2, 1998 Page 1 of 1 Based upon these findings, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a Special Use Permit to - allow the construction of a truck storage facility on the following described property Lot 003 Block 002 Rennie Addition - Central Business District Parkina: Klein stated the Planning Commission invited the downtown business owners to this meeting to discuss parking in the Central Business District. The Planning Commission is in the process of updating and reviewing the Ordinances. Part of the section being reviewed deals with parking in the Central Business District. At this time the Commission is encouraging discussion on how to best handle parking requirements in this area. Schneider stated that he has talked to many of the downtown business owners. During that discussion Schneider stated that one individual indicated that if a parking lot were created for employees, there may be sufficient parking downtown. Frieler discussed the need for requiring off -street parking. He stated the current business owners downtown needed to purchase enough property to meet the Ordinances and future business should be required the same. He stated he understands the concept of a joint parking lot, but feels issues such as insurance and maintenance need to addressed and resolved. Ehlert stated the Planning Commission hoped interested property owners would come together and brainstorm to form some kind of solution with regard to parking, whether that be parking in the alley behind the businesses or creating a downtown parking lot. Ehlert questioned if it is appropriate for the City to purchase property for a parking lot or if the business owners should do so. Gary Craft, representative of St. Joseph's Parish, stated the Church has no immediate plans to surface the parking lot on the SE comer of Minnesota Street East and College Avenue South. He further stated that the parking lot is currently used by the La Playette and the College of St. Benedict. After considerable discussion, the Planning Commission agreed to refer this matter to the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce for their input and comments. Kurt Schneider and Cory Ehlert will present the information to the Chamber in April. Minutes - January 5 and Januarv 14.1998: Ehlert made a motion to approve the minutes of January 5 and January 14 with corrections; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously by those present. OTHER MATTERS Lesnick discussed a comment in the St. Joseph Newsleader regarding North Park Third Addition. She stated the paper discussed a land swap and questioned what this was in regard to. Klein stated that it is not important and has no bearing on the issue. Carlson updated the Commission on EDA activities: · CR 133 is scheduled for reconstruction in 1999. The extension of 1ih Avenue north (from CR 75 to East Minnesota Street) is included in the project. · Within the next 5 years CR 2 is expected to be redirected to the west if Clinton Village, connecting to CR 3. · The EDA is looking at alternative ingress/egress to the Northland Addition Adjourn: Ehlert made a motion to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.; seconded by Lesnick and passed unanim~ by those present. Cð . IC¿y . . 0J Judy Weyrens Deputy Clerk February 2, 1998 Page 2 of 2