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Home My WebLink About2001 [04] Apr 02 I Qlficial Minutes - Planning Commission Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission met in regular session on Monday, April 2, 200 I at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Mike Deutz, Jim Graeve, Gary Utsch, Marge Lesnick, Kurt Schneider and Al Rassier. Others Present: Chad A. Carlson, Mark Lambert, Dan Tideman, Sister Kara Hennes, Sister Paula Revier, Sister Phyllis Plantenburg. Approval of Aeenda: Graeve moved to approve the agenda; Seconded by Kalinowski. The motion passed unanimously by those present Order of St. Benedict - Chapel Lane Entrance Carlson gave a brief history of the project involving the modification proposed to the be made at Chapel Lane and Minnesota Street. Carlson stated that the Police Chief and the Public Works Superintendent have reviewed the proposed project. Carlson added that Mr. Taufen requested that the Sisters replace any signs, lighting and sidewalk at their expense. The project will also result in the loss of one parking space on Minnesota Street. Stearns County has approved the project. Dan Tideman stated that the intent of the project is to create an attractive an efficient entrance to the campus. The drive will be moved approximately 22 feet to the east and will have a split ingress and egress. The project will also increase the safety in the area by increasing the lighting, adding sidewalk and creating more parking within the I campus. Kalinowski questioned if the sidewalk is for pedestrian only or will St. Benedicts allow bikes and skating. Tideman stated the design is for pedestrian only, but other uses may exist. Rassier stated that the decorative street lighting and sidewalk must be replaced as is, including any landscaping. Tideman stated that they will restore the area back to the original condition. The street lamp will be moved to the west side of the entrance. Graeve questioned if the pillars and signage will be same as proposed on the site plan. Tideman stated that St. Benedicts is currently working on that item. Deutz questioned why the new entrance will not line up with 2nd Avenue. Tideman stated that would be physically impossible with the utilities and a residence in the area. Rassier stated that the Arts and Heritage Center will be generating a lot of traffic and the new entrance will be needed. Rassier questioned the distance between the entrances. Carlson stated that Stearns County has approved the proposed project. Graeve moved to approve the proposed improvement to Chapel Lane and recommend the City Council allow the elimination of one parking stall on the east side in the entrance; Seconded by Lesnick. Discussion: Rassier suggested that the motion include that that St. Benedicts replaces the area aesthetically as it currently exists. I The motion passed unanimously by those present with Rassier's amendment. April 2, 2001 Minutes 2001 Buildinl! InsDector I Nancy Scott introduced herself as the new St. Joseph Building Inspector. Scott stated her intentions as the building inspector and will work closely with staff on future projects. Scott started All Spec Services in August 2000 and currently contracts with many communities in the area. She has over 10 years of experience in the building trade and 3 years with inspections. She previously worked for Great Northern Building Inspections. Scott stated that she does not have an office, but can be reached 24 hours a day via her cell phone. The business has worked well ftom the ftont seat of her truck. Rassier stated that City Council received two bids and completed interviews. In the best interest of the City, the City Council selected All Spec Services. Doreen Rennie Farm Carlson informed the Planning Commission that a party is interested in purchasing the Doreen Rennie Farm (14 acres). The property is currently located in the Township. Carlson stated that if the party want to proceed with their project, the party would have to purchase the property and petition for annexation. Carlson stated that he has informed the Township Planning Commission of the project. Carlson further stated that the Joint Planning Board will have to address this issue if the project moves forward. Utsch concurred and requested Carlson keep the Planning Commission informed. Zoninl! MaD Review: Carlson presented the draft changes to the zoning map as made by the Planning Commission at the March 5th meeting. Carlson requested the Planning Commission review the zoning map. Rassier stated that the area zoned R-1 and owned by St. Benedicts should remain R-1 and not R-3 as proposed. Rassier clarified that the area adjacent to Hwy 75 and the South Fork was discussed as R-3. The Planning Commission agreed that the area currently zoned R-1 should be changed to R-3. I Carlson informed the Planning Commission that the current zoning map has a few errors that will be corrected at the time of amendment. The errors were made with the revision of the map was completed. Utsch requested that Carlson verifY the zoning of the property owned by the pfannenstein's is zoned correctly. Graeve added that the area south ofthe new bank is also not zoned correctly. Carlson stated that the Planning Commission and City Council rezoned this area last year. Rassier stated that he will bring the revisions forward to the City Council to receive input fÌ"om the City Council. He requested members of the Planning Commission to assist. Carlson stated that the City Council will set a public hearing to review the proposed zoning changes. Carlson anticipated a June public hearing date. Carlson will forward the proposed changes to the City Council. Deutz made a motion to forward the proposed zoning map changes to the City Council with the corrections; Seconded by Kalinowski. The motion passed unanimously by those present. --- - €Ðmnrissioner Announcements: Graeve made the following announcements: 1) A concerned citizens group "Save the Woods" are circulating a petition requesting the utility companies to place the infÌ"astructure in the road right-of-way rather then the utility easement to save the trees in the Pond View Ridge development. 2) GRIP will be sponsoring a affordable housing meeting in City Hall April 19th at 6:15. 3) The Community Center Committee will be meeting May 9th ftom 6:00 to 7:00 pm. 4) The Fruehlingsfest 2001 will be held May 19th fÌ"om 11 to 4 pm. The theme of the festival will be I historic mainstreet and crazy days. The committee will be requested mainstreet be closed for the festival. April 2, 2001 Minutes I Kalinowski stated that she has been informed that the Farmer's Market will again be located at the Delwin for 2001. Rassier reported on the following: 1) The parking spaces on Minnesota Street ftom College A venue east to the alley are in place. Due to distance requirements ftom the intersecting street and alley, no additional spaces can be added. 2) The joint trenching issue is being researched by the City Administrator. She is currently working with Stearns Electric and will provide progress reports. 3) The City Council and Township Board are holding an informational meeting regarding the 121 road project in the Township Hall at 6:00 pm on April3rd. Schneider questioned the discussion that took place at the last Planning Commission meeting regarding the lock boxes for businesses. Schneider stated that the boxes should not be mandatory but rather a choice of the business. As a business owner, Schneider stated his concerns of liability. Utsch stated that the he was approached by the Fire Chief regarding this issue. The Fire Department would rather unlock a door rather then breaking into the building. False alarms continue to be an issue. Schneider requested that more research be done on this issue with data supporting the amount of false alarms, damage done to buildings in the past, etc. Schneider stated that if the numbers were significant, he would support the system. Rassier stated that the City Council supported that all new commercial buildings incorporate a lock box into the construction plans. However, the item would be suggested and not mandatory. The current system works and the City Council was also aware of the liability issue for the business. Deutz stated ftom personal experience that it is a liability issue for businesses. Businesses have insurance for those I cases and would rather repair the damage then worry about a large amount of people having access to the lock box. Utsch reported on the progress ofthe affordable housing task force. The task force will be presenting a draft after April and anticipates having a public hearing in the month of August. Approval Minutes: Deutz made a motion to approve the March 5, 2001 meeting minutes as presented; Seconded by Lesnick. The motion passed unanimously by those present. Marl Lamber addressed the Planning Commission and stated his disappointment that he was not able to participate in the zoning map discussion. For the benefit of the new Planning Commission members, Lambert revisited his ideas for the property north of the maintenance facilities which he now has ownership. He would like the Planning Commission to review the land use in this area and zone the property according to its best use. The Planning Commission thanked Mr. Lambert for his comments and will keep him informed as the Planning Commission and City Council review the zoning map. .. Adjourn $~g adjourned by consensus m 8,30pm . Chad A. Carlton ~ Secretary I April 2, 2001 Minutes