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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 [04] Apr 03 I Official Minutes - Planning Commission Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, April 3, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners Marge Lesnick, S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Kurt Schneider, Gary Utsch, Jim Graeve, and Cory Ehlert. Planning Commission Secretary Chad A. Carlson. Members Absent: None Others Present:. Dan Tideman, Jim Green, and Steve Symanietz St. Benedicts Monastery Construction Plan Update: Dan Tideman, GL T Architects, presented a master plan of the renovation and construction projects that will take place this year on the Sisters of St. Benedict's campus. Tideman detailed the following projects: 1) Lourdes Hall Renovation: The building will be gutted, new windows, roof and interior walls will be replaced. The building will also include a small canopy on the southwest side of the building. The building will serve as living quarters for the Sisters of St. Benedict. All living units will include kitchen facilities. 2) Physical Plant Expansion: An addition to the Physical Plant is needed to place chilling units and new boilers in the facility. A retaining wall or screen will be constructed to conceal the view of the new boilers. 3) Redesign of North Entrance and Parking Area: The campus will be constructing a new formal entrance and move the entrance to the east to accommodate entrance and exit lanes. Landscaping will be incorporated into the design. In addition, the parking area will be moved and replaces with enclosed garage units next to the lab I school facility. A building will be removed to accommodate the space needed for the new parking area. Tideman stated that he is concerned with the north entrance and the visibility to Minnesota Street. Currently, the City has on-street parking available to entrance. Tideman suggested the Planning Commission recommend the City Council consider extending the yellow no parking area on either side ofthe entrance to increase visibility for traffic pulling out onto Minnesota Street. Ehlert stated that City Council should be receptive to the request since they have extended other no parking areas in the community for safety reasons. Ehlert added that the east bound traffic on Minnesota Street is a real concern. Ehlert questioned if there is an easement adjacent to the Lab School and where in the new parking area is proposed. Ehlert further questioned ifthe parking plan is addressing the Planning Commission concerns regarding parking. Tideman stated that the easement has been vacated according to Sister Plantenburg. The parking issues addressed with the proposed projects do address the campuses parking issues. Ehlert suggested that the construction of garages should also include a detailed landscaping plan to conform with the City's commitment to dressing up Minnesota Street. Tideman stated that garage units fit within the setback requirements and an extensive landscaping plan will be brought to the Planning Commission before the project is under construction. Graeve moved to approve the plans as presented for the Physical Plant Expansion and Lourdes Hall Renovation contingent upon the approval ofthe St Joseph Fire Chief and Building Inspector; Seconded by Ehlert. I Discussion: Ehlert requested clarifìcation of the screening that will be constructedfor the Physical Plant Expansion. April 3,2000 Minutes Tideman stated that the screen wall will be constructed with masonry and will be 18 feet high to conceal I the chillers and boilers. The motion passed with the correction by the following vote: Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Utsch, Graeve, Lesnick and Ehlert Nays: None Motion Carried Symanietz - Request for Northland Drive Access: Steve Symanietz addressed the Planning Commission regarding a request to have ac.cess to Northland Drive rrom Lot I, Block 3 of the Northland Addition Four. Symanietz stated that he would like to construct a walkout rambler on the property, but it requires a drive way access to Northland Drive. Lot I, Block 3 has such a severe slope that it is impossible to construct a walkout rambler facing north on Gumtree Street. Symanietz is requesting that the Planning Commission waive no access clause in the developers agreement, which states no access shall be given to lots that abut Northland Drive. Utsch questioned the validity of the clause since future phases of Northland Addition will require access to Northland Drive. Lot 2, Block 2 of the current addition must access Northland Drive. If the plans continue for the Northland Addition, homes will be along the park and access must be granted to Northland Drive unless the road is redesigned. Utsch referred to 12th Avenue in the Pond View Ridge Addition where many homes have driveways onto 12th Avenue. Ehlert express his concern with having the access to Northland Drive at the crest of the hill. Ehlert suggested that the owner construct as circle drive on the property. Symanietz stated that he is going to construct a circle drive. Symanietz further stated that the proposed construction I meets all the setback requirements and the home conforms to the terrain and slope of the property. Commissioner Sc.hneider arrived at 7:05 p.m. Utsch made a motion to recommend that the City Council waive Section 4.13 of the developers agreement for Lot 1, Block 3 Northland Addition Four, contingent upon the property owner constructing a circle drive for access to Northland Drive; Seconded by Graeve. Discussion: Schneider questioned if the Planning Commission discussed controlling access on major streets due the possible traffic congestion and safety issues. Schneider further stated that their are many access to 121h Avenue and the City may be faced with safety issues as 121h Avenue extends south to County Road #121. The Planning Commission infonned Schneider of their discussion prior to him arriving. Ehlert added that the APO 2020 has an east/west road corridor identified which ties into Northland Drive Once this corridor is constructed, Northland Drive could carry a large amount of north/south traffic. Schneider concun'ed with Ehlert's comments and added that traffic will increase dramatically from filture phases of the Northland Addition. A majority of the addition's residents use Northland Drive and safety will become a major concern. Schneider stated that he is reluctant to waive a portion of the developer's agreement. N011hland Drive was constructed wider to handle the volume of traffic now and in the fidure. Drive-lvays should be eliminatedfrom Northland Drive. Schneider filrther added that the Planning Commission needs to be prepared to address this issue as other phases of Northland Addition occur. If this variance is granted, the Planning Commission should anticipate futw'e requests. I April 3,2000 Minutes I Utsch suggested that the Planning Commission just waive the clause for this lot. Additional requests can be dealt with as development occurs. The clause should stay in the developers agreement, but then deal with the issue on a case by case basis. The motion passed with the correction by the following vote: Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Schneider, Lesnick, Utsch, Graeve, and Ehlert Nays: None Motion Carried Greenhouse: Utsch presented a plan to construct a temporary greenhouse on the Lee's Ace Hardware property. The greenhouse will operate from April to July. The Zimmer Family Farm will construct and operate the facility. The greenhouse will be located on the west side of the lot, along the boulevard. The location has good visibility and will not have an impact on parking for the businesses. Kalinowski stated that the proposed use is consistent with the district regulations and meets the requirements of the Ordinance. Kalinowski moved to approve the construction and operation of the temporary greenhouse by the Zimmer Family Farm on the Lee's Ace Hardware lot; Seconded by Lesnick. The motion passed with the correction by the following vote: Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Schneider, Graeve, and Ehlert Nays: None Motion Carried Abstain: Utsch I Liaison Report: Ehlert suggested that the Planning Commission and City Council create a regular schedule to meet joint to avoid a lapse in meeting. This will ensure and plan for the meetings since they will occur on a regular basis. Ehlert suggested that they commit to the 5th Monday of the month, when they occur. Commissioner Reports: Graeve updated the Planning Commission on the progress of the Freuhling's Fest. The festival will occur on May 7th at Millstream Park. Kalinowski requested that Carlson follow up with Mr. Euteneuer regarding the presentation on his methodology for issuing building permits. Kalinowski suggested that Mr. Euteneuer make is presentation at the May meeting. Approve Minutes: Kalinowski moved to approve the March 6, 2000 minutes as presented; Seconded by Utsch. The motion passed with the correction by the following vote: Ayes: Klein, Schneider, Kalinowski, Utsch, Graeve, and Ehlert Nays: None Motion Carried Abstain: Lesnick Adjourn: The Planning Commission meeting adjourned by consensus at 7:40 p.m. I ~;Z:¿;:f~~) - Chad A. Carlson ------~ Planning Commission Secretary April 3, 2000 Minutes