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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 [03] Mar 02March 2, 2009 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Members Present: Chair Kathleen Kalinowski, Commissioners Ross Rieke, Mike McDonald, Mike Deutz, Brian Orcutt, John Meyer, Dale Wick, City Administrator Judy Weyrens Others Present: Harvey & Nancy Notsch, Robert Rice, Ellen Wahlstrom, Jim & Mary Ann Graeve, Charles Friederichs Approval of the Agenda: McDonald made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously. Minutes: Wick made a motion to approve the minutes of February 2, 2009. The motion was seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously. Public Comments: Ellen Wahlstrom approached the Commissioners and stated her frustrations with the information available on the website. She stated that when she viewed the information on the site, there was different information available when she viewed it on Friday than on Monday. After reviewing the applicant's application, she stated that they have some questions. She also questioned whether the site plan had yet been submitted. Wahlstrom added that the fencing is not adequate based on the information available online. In conclusion, she stated that they do not mind that this is used as a used car business; they are simply concerned due to the bad experience with the last auto dealership. Kalinowski reminded Wahlstrom that this is not a public hearing. Special Use Permit -David Fimrite: Weyrens stated that at the previous meeting, the Commissioners conducted a Public Hearing regarding a Special Use Permit to allow for the sale of trailers and used vehicles. She stated that the petitioner was not present due to a family emergency. At that meeting, the Commissioners asked for clarification on the following: fencing, paving, how the property will be utilized, security and impact to the neighbors. Since the last meeting the Building Inspector has been to the site to look at the current fence. He stated that there are some posts that need to be re-anchored; however, it is a good fence. The fence could be extended west to meet the front setback of the house on the adjacent property. The fence cannot be extended beyond this as it may become a public safety issue by creating limited visibility. She also added that the petitioner verified that the area where the vehicles will be parked is already paved. They have also agreed to put in a security system which will photograph anyone accessing the property when no one is present. With regard to lighting, two wall mount lights will be located on the front of the existing building as it faces 8th Avenue NE, two pole lights will be located in the front yard as it faces CR 75 and the sign will be lighted as well. David Fimrite, 6025 18th Street N, St. Cloud, approached the Commissioners and spoke on his own behalf. He stated that he is the owner of North County Trailer Sales and they are requesting a Special Use Permit to allow for new trailer sales and used car sales. Their normal business hours will be from 8AM to SPM; however, there may be someone onsite from 7AM to 7PM. He stated that when there is no one on site, there will be a cable blocking any vehicles from entering the site. The after-hours security system will snap pictures of those who are on the site after those hours. He assured the Commissioners that the vehicles for sale will be parked on the pavement. McDonald stated that, in the past, the previous dealership had vehicles parked on the gravel as well as the hill. He questioned Fimrite as to the number of vehicles and trailers that he plans to have on site. Fimrite stated that they will have approximately 8-10 vehicles and 12-15 trailers. He also clarified that transport vehicles will not be used to bring inventory to the site. Deutz questioned whether or not they will have any new vehicles to which he was advised that they will have mainly used cars and new trailers. Fimrite assured the Commissioners that he will have a good display. March 2, 2009 Page 2 of 4 Meyer advised the Petitioner that he would like to see two additional 10' sections of fence added to the west. After speaking with the Building Inspector, Lee Gladitsch, Fimrite stated that he was informed that fence could not extend the fence beyond that of the front house setback. Fimrite stated that he will construct fence equal to the front of the house. Graeve addressed the Commissioners and questioned how the City will enforce that they have no more than 10 vehicles. Kalinowski reminded him that this was not a public hearing. According to Wick, all vehicles must be stored on the bituminous surface and there is no limit as to the number of vehicles or trailers. Deutz added that it would not be the City's position to monitor the number of vehicles/trailers. McDonald questioned the shape of the current bituminous. According to Fimrite, it looks decent. He added that they have intensions to fix the areas where the surface is in bad shape; however, they do not intent to add any additional bituminous more than what is there. Deutz made a motion to recommend approval of the Special Use Permit to David Fimrite, North Country Trailer Sales to allow the operation of a used auto and trailer sales lot at 414 8th Avenue NE based on the following contingencies: 1. The property owner will conform to the Sign Ordinance to include temporary signs. 2. The use of banners and streamers will be prohibited. 3. All vehicles or trailers located on the property for sale will be stored on the existing bituminous surface. 4. The fence located on the south property line will be repaired securing the posts and the fence will be extended to match the front of the house on the southern property line. 5. The property will be monitored with a security system which will be activated when the lot is unattended and the access to the property will be secured when unattended as well. 6. All site lighting will conform to the St. Joseph Code of Ordinances. The motion was seconded by Meyer and passed unanimously. Site Plan Review -Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union: Weyrens advised the Commissioners that they have received an application for a site plan for the new credit union which will be north of the current Centra Care site on the Coborns plat. Tom Peck, Hagemeister Mack Architects, 501 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, approached the Commissioners to speak on behalf of the applicant. He stated that the current site is located just north of City Hall and they are looking to expand in town. The proposed building will be similar to what they have done in other locations. It will be a masonry building with a flat roof and some brick on the sides. The main floor will be approximately 7,500 square feet and they are proposing a 2,500 square foot basement. They plan to mirror the landscaping and lighting of the new Centra Care site. One of the comments made by staff was related to the Trans Corridor Overlay. Weyrens stated that this site does not need to adhere to the Trans Corridor Overlay as County Road 133 is not mentioned as part of that. There are some final engineering items that need to be addressed and the developer is working on them. Peck stated that he spoke with Tom Herkanoff with Boonestroo and they will address them but have not yet had the time. Meyer made a motion to move forward with the Development Agreement as long as the engineering recommendations are addressed. The motion was seconded by Deutz. Discussion: Wick stated that comments by both the Engineer and the Building Inspector should be addressed. McDonald questioned what their schedule is like. Peck stated that they hope to go for bids in the next month and then beginning digging a month or so after. They plan to have the building ready by December/early January. Deutz questioned their plans for the current building. Friederichs stated that they plan to keep both facilities. The motion passed unanimously. March 2, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Ordinance Amendment - 52.11 -Signs: Weyrens advised the Commissioners that staff is recommending that they table this as they are still working to gather more data. Wick made a motion to table the discussion of the amendment to Ordinance 52.11 -Signs. The motion was seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously. Orderly Annexation: Deutz stated that, in the past, they have discussed the possibility of meeting with the township to discuss orderly annexation. Weyrens stated that this is one of the items that will be discussed during the workshop for 2009 goals. Adjourn: Deutz made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Orcutt and passed unanimously. ~ (~=~~~5 ud Weyr'ens d nistrator