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Home My WebLink About2002 [04] Apr 01Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City Council met in regular session on Monday, April, 1, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Gary Utsch. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Marge Lesnick, Jim Graeve, Mike Deutz, Kurt Schneider. Council Liaison Al Rassier. Administrator/Clerk Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Randy Schmitz, Rand Schaefer, Ted Schmid. Approve Agenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Graeve and passed unanimously. Scenic Specialties, Randy Schmitz: Randy Schmitz of Scenic Specialties appeared before the Planning Commission to request authorization to make application for a building permit to move an existing structure on the property he owns. The property is located at 31101 County Road 133. Schmitz stated the farmhouse located on the properly is over 100 years old and he has completely restored the home to be used for a showroom. However, the house is located in the rear yard and he is requesting authorizing to move the building to the road side of the property. The House will only be used seasonally. Utsch questioned that since this properly is located in the Highway Business Zoning District, if the exterior requirements would need to be satisfied. Weyrens responded that the building permit is to move the building, not for modifications or addition. However, if in the future Schmitz wishes to construct an addition to the house, the exterior requirements would apply. Rassier made a motion authorizing Scenic Specialties to make application for a building permit to move the historic farm house at 31101 County Road 133 from the rear yard to the front yard abutting County Road 133. Approval is contingent upon all setback requirements being fulfilled. The motion was seconded by Lesnick and passed unanimously. Schmitz also requested the Planning Commission to consider his request for a business sign that exceeds that maximum square footage. He stated that it is his understanding that the Planning Commission is in the process of reviewing the sign ordinance and he questioned if he could construct the sign under the proposed Ordinance. Weyrens stated that until the new Ordinance is adopted, the Planning Commission must enforce the Ordinances that are currently in place. Graeve questioned Schmitz as to why he needed a larger sign than allowed by Ordinance and what would be the result if he were required to abide by the Ordinance. Schmitz stated that since he is located on a major County Road the traffic moves faster requiring a larger sign for visibility. He further stated that his business is a destination business and it is important to have adequate signage. Schmitz stated that his plans for signage include landscaping around the base of the sign. The Commission agreed to conduct a public hearing to consider a variance on the size of the business sign. American Manufacturing, Buildin¢ Addition: Rand Schaper appeared before the Commission on behalf of American Manufacturing. Schaper stated that he has been hired by American Manufacturing to design and construct an addition to the existing building of approximately 4500 square feet. American Manufacturing builds parts for oil and water drilling industries. Schaper stated that the addition will consist abrick/stucco exterior and when the building is completed, it will be connected to City water and sewer services. Utsch questioned if the existing structure will be refaced. Schaper responded that that remodeling to the existing structure will be phase two of the project. In addition, Schaper stated that the property owner has indicated that he is considering a third phase which consists of a second addtion to the building. Rassier stated that had the opportunity to view the property and questioned if the retaining wall in the front of the building and loading dock could be repaired. Rassier further encouraged the property owner to paint the existing structure for aesthetic reasons. Schaper responded that he has discussed the retaining wall with the property owner and he hopes to make the necessary repairs. Deutz questioned if the parking lot will be paved and if adequate parking will be provided. Weyrens stated that it is her understanding that in industrial areas class II material is allowed for parking lots. Schaper responded that paving the parking lot would add considerable cost to the project and it may make it cost prohibitive. As far as the number of parking spaces provided, Schaper responded that the site will contain approximately 13 parking spaces, which meets the Ordinance requirements. Deutz made a motion to table the site plan approval for American Manufacturing to April 16, 2002 at which time the following information should be presented: 1. Parking Lot Plan including surface material 2. Lighting Plan 3. Signage 4. Landscaping Plan The motion was seconded by Lesnick and passed unanimously. Northland Plat Six, Ted Schmid: Ted Schmid of Lumber One Avon appeared before the Commission to requesting authorization to schedule a public improvement hearing for the Preliminary Plat for Northland Plat Six. Schmid stated that phase one of the development will include approximately 56 lots with 20 lots being marketed as affordable. Utsch requested the Planning Commission review the preliminary plat using the guidelines submitted by City Engineer Joe Bettendorf. Vicinity Map Submitted map meets requirements Municipal Services Referred to Joe Bettendorf for review and comment Trail & Sidewalk One access is provided to the park. Schmid agreed to review the plan to see if a second access could be added. Schmid agreed to install sidewalk on the east side of Northland Drive from the existing crosswalk. Preliminary Landscape Blocks 8 and 9 will have sodded front yards. The remainder of the lots and all back yards will be graded with black dirt. Schmid acknowledged that he must adhere to the grading requirements of the Ordinance. Lighting &Signage Schmid agreed to adopt the lighting plan of the utility provider and will work with the City Engineer to design the street Signage. Entrance Signs No entrance sign will be provided Covenants The same covenants for previous additions of Northland will be used. The Commission spent considerable time discussing the lot sizes in Northland Plat Six. Based on the plat presented a number of the lots will require a variance on the minimum square footage. The Commission requested that at least two lots be removed in the northwest section of the plat. Utsch stated that he has received many comments regarding the narrow lots in Northland Five and questions if additional lots should be approved. Schmid responded that he has had many requests for the smaller lots and believes that housing needs to be provided for all lifestyles. The same housing concept is under development in Alexandria and Rochester. Lesnick stated that she too has some concerns regarding the small lots and encouraged Schmid to increase the lot sizes. Schneider stated that while he is not opposed to affordable housing he believes that St. Joseph provides an adequate number of affordable homes. Schmid stated that he would be willing to limit the number of homes that would be allowed to construct a three stall garage in Blocks 8 and 9. These lots would be identified through the Developer's Agreement. After discussion Schmid agreed to identify 10 homes that would be allowed to construct a triple garage in Blocks 8 and 9. The Commission informed Schmid that he would be required to install a construction road from the development to County Road 2 for construction traffic. The road must be available whenever construction is occurring, and, if the property connecting to County Road 2 is not owned by Schmid an easement will need to be provided. With the understanding that additional requirements may surface as a result of the public hearing, the Commission approved the concept plan for Northland Six with the above stated changes, as well as scheduling a public hearing. Comprehensive Plan Update: The EDA Consultants are in the process of securing grant funding for the updating of the Comprehensive Plan. Stearns Cooperative Electric has awarded the City $ 5,000 and the City is seeking an additional $ 5,000 from the Initiative Foundation. As part of the grant application to the Initiative Foundation, the consultants are requesting a letter of support from the Planning Commission stating the need to update the Comprehensive Plan. Graeve made a motion authorizing the Chair of Planning the Commission to send a letter of support on behalf of the Planning Commission to the Initiative Foundation seeking funding assistance for the updating of the St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Adjourn: Graeve made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 PM; seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. . -~ _/ r% Jud We((yr//"e~hs G~~~ ~~ Ad imstrator/Clerk