HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 [05] May 05Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St.
Joseph met in regular session Monday, May 5,1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City
Hall.
Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Linda
Sniezek, Marge Lesnick, Dan Nierengarten, Kurt Schneider. Council Liaison Cory
Ehlert. Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens.
Other Present: June Hoffman, Leon Hoffman, Joanne Zipp, Lee Zipp, Steve Hofman,
Jeff Waletzko, Jerry Schroden, Wayne Lepinski, Greg Smoley, Vicki Osendorf, Joe
Miller, Bruce Osendorf, Jim Graeve, Mary Ann Graeve, Al Stelmach
Al Stellmach -Special Use Permit, Cold Storage Units: Chair Klein called the hearing to
order at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a request for a special use
permit. This permit would allow the construction of 75 cold storage units in an
industrial zone. Zoning Ordinance 52.21 subd 4 states, "All industrial uses shall require
a special use permit."
Additionally the hearing will consider a twenty foot variance on the rear yard setback.
St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.21 subd 6 [c] states that rear yard setbacks shall not be
less than 20 feet.
The property is legally described as Lot 003; Block 001, Neu Addition.
The request for special use and variance has been submitted by Al Stellmach,
Ridgewood Self Storage, 562 Sauk View Drive, St. Cloud MN 56303.
Al Stellmach spoke on his behalf. He stated the proposed Special Use Permit would
allow the construction of a storage facility 10' x 15', containing 47 individual units. To
maximize the property Stellmach stated that they are also requesting a zero foot setback
on the rear lot line. Stellmach stated he is requesting the variance because of the unique
shape of the parcel and the proposed layout best fits the property. He stated that with
the existing units they have experienced problems in winter. Snow blows across the
open areas gathering in front of the doors and seeps into the storage units. Therefore,
reversing the direction of the units would resolve this problem.
Weyrens reported that the Building Official, Dale Haug, expressed two concerns when
reviewing the proposed construction. 1) Fire Access - Since the Railroad is selling the
track right of way in areas, we are uncertain as to the development behind the proposed
storage units. If the property would be developed by another party their may not be
adequate room for fire truck access. 2) Building Codes -The State Building Codes
require a twenty (20) foot setback in an Industrial area unless the building is
constructed with a four (4) hour rated wall.
Commissioners encouraged Stellmach to design the project to meet the Ordinance
requirements. Stellmach questioned the Commission if they would approve a ten (10)
foot variance on the rear yard. Weyrens reminded the Commission that