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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 [08] Aug 03August 3, 1992 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, August 3, 1992. at 7:30 p.m, in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Members of the Commission Linda Sniezek, Sr'. Kathleen Kalinowski, Kurt Schnieder, Dan Nierengarten, Donald "Bud" Reber. Secretary of the Board Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Council Liaison Stephanie Hazen, Marge Pfannenstein, Aloys Pfannenstein, Virginia Pfannenstein, Mary Kaye Nordmann. Public Hearing - Mary Kaye Nordmann: Chair Klein called the hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a request for a special use permit to allow residential living quarters above a business in the general business zone. The property is located at 13 Minnesota Street West, and legally described as the South 61' of East 27.15' of Lot I2, Block 9; Townsite of St. Joseph. The request for Special Use has been submitted by Mary Kaye Nordmann. Mary Kaye spoke on her behalf. She intends to open a new restaurant called Grand Slam Pizza and Eateries. The Restaurant will open during the week of August 3, 1992 and will serve a variety of foods including coffee and rolls in the morning. Mary Kaye is requesting a special use to allow her family to live above the restaurant. The Building Official and Fire Chief did an or1 site inspection of the proposed residential dwelling and presented Mary Kaye with a correction notice (see attached). After discussing the correction items, Mary Kaye stated that she had no problems with the corrections and would have the majority of the items corrected within the week. Chair Klein asked for questions and comments from the floor. Al Pfannenstein: Questioned where Mary Kaye and her family would park their cars. Mary Kaye responded that she has made arrangements with Farmers Mutual Insurance to park her car on the concrete slab behind their office. The Planning Commission discussed the private easement between the new Gary's Pizza and Grand Slam Pizza, questioning whether not she would have access to the concrete slab. Kurt discussed the parking problem bei-Zg created downtown, and whether the Commission needs to require parking in the central business district. Commissioner Reber felt that requiring parking in the downtown area is difficult, and new business should not be prohibited because they cannot provide parking. Reber made a motion to recommend Council approval of the following resolution approving a special use request; the motion was seconded by Kalinowski. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Schnieder, Nierengarten, Reber. Hayes: None. Motio-1 Carried 6:0:0 Page 1 August 3, 1992 The request of Mary Kaye Nordmann1 for a Special Use permit came before the Planning Commission at a public hearing on August 3, 1992. The purpose of the hearing was to consider a request to allow living quarters above a business in the General Business District. Notice of this matter was duly served and published. The affidavit of publication is on file in the City Clerk's Office. 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 Alanning Conu~iission makes tine following findings: 1) St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.20 sets forth the special uses. Among the special uses are the following: a) Multiple family dwellings provided that the use either adjacent to or provides off street parking and there is no conflict with adjacent activities. b) Other Uses determined by the Planning Conu~nission to be of the same character Based upon these findings, the Planning Commission recommends that the request for special use permit to allow living quarters above a business in the General Business District, be approved. Approval shall be upon the following conditions: 1) The corrections as required by the Building Official and Fire Chief be completed within 2 weeks. (See exhibit A) 2) The Special l!se Permit is non-transferable, and shall only apply to Mary Kaye Nordmann. Should the business be sold, or the Nordmann's cease to occupy the, second floor, this special use becomes null and void. These findings and recommendations were approved by a vote of 6 to 0 by the St. Joseph Planning Commission this 3rd day of August, 1992. Chair Klein closed the hearing at 7:50 p.m. Mary- Kaye Nordmann also requested the Commission recommend approval of an overhang which will extend 36'~ over the sidewalk facing Minnesota Street. The overhang will be of canvas material with the total dimensions being 23'7" x 48". Eventuaily Mary Kaye would like to place an overhang over the sidewalk facing College Avenue. Kalinowski made a motion to recommend Council approval of the overhang request of Mary Kaye Nordmann as presented. The motion was seconded by Sniezek. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Schnieder, Nierengarten, Reber. Hayes: None. Motion Carried 6:0:0 Page 2 August 3, 1992 Mike Deutz - Building Expansion: Mike Deutz was unable to appear before the Conrnrission, but did submit his plans for construction of an addition to his property located at 206 - First Avenue NW. The plans consist of adding a 37' square addition. The expansion is requested so that Mr. Duetz can sell liquor off-sale. Reber made a motion to authorize the Building Official to issue a building permit, only after Mr. Duetz has presented hirn wit17 a surveyor's plat, illustrating all the buildings and setback requirements. If the setback requirements cannot be met, or view will be obstructed, Mr. Deutz will need to re- appear before the Commission. The motion was seconded by Nierengarten. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Schnieder, Nierengarten, Reber. Naves: None. Motion Carried 6:0:0 T11e Commission discussed the Special Use Permit issued to Mr. Deutz to operate the body shop on Cedar Street, CMS. Their was some concern as to whether or not the building is being used for more than a body shop. Additionally, they were concerned with the fumes and oil running in the neighborhood. The matter will be checked into. Approval of Minutes: Kalinowski made a motion to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by Reber. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Schnieder, Nierengarten, Reber. Naves: None. Motion Carried 6:0:0 Old Business: Inforrnation is being requested on the following: Garage Size and definitions, assessment policies, and parking requirements. As soon as information is available it will be passed to the Planning Conunission for discussion. New Business 1) Concern was expressed about a garage that is being constructed at 34 - 1st Ave NE. Commissioners generally agreed that it appears as if the garage exceeds the maximum lot coverage and requested a copy of what criteria was used to determine the coverage. Additionally, they were concerned as to how the Building Official worked with the City and if all the Ordinances are being adhered to. 2) Commission members were concerned with two agenda items on the July I6, 1992 Council. Agenda. a) Roger Steichen - Overhang request. b) HRA Resolution approving Low-Rent 1-ousing The Commission expressed their dis-satisfaction with the Council for approving both items, as they deal with planning and should have been placed on their agenda for a recommendation. Joint Planning: The Conunission discussed the meetings between the City Council and the Township Board, and for• future meetings they will be sending a representative. Page 3 August 3, 1992 Parking = After tl~e Joint Council and Planning Meeting, Commissioner Sniezek called the owner of the 8 plexes to discuss the parking and noise problems. He informed Sniezek that he was unaware of any problems, and would certainly be willing to work out any problems that have developed. He has considered removing the garages and allowing parking in the courtyard area to get some of the cars off the street. Commissioners generally agreed to request information from the Police Chief, Brad Lindgren, as to what the problems are on Cypress Drive, and if the property owner was made aware of the problems. Meeting with Fred Sandal: Fred Sandal has prepared the first draft of the Comprehensive Plan and would like to set a meeting to go over the entire document. Since the September meeting falls on Labor Day, the Conunission re-scheduled that meeting to August 31, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. If additional lime is needed, they will conduct a special meeting on September 8, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. Reber made a motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.rn.; seconded by Schneider. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Schnieder, Nierengarten, Reber. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 6:0:0 ~~~ <_ l~~ Judy Weyrens Secretary of the Board