Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 [12] Dec 04December 4, 2006 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Interim Chair S. Kathleen Kalinowski. Commissioners: Marge Lesnick, Bob Loso, Jim Graeve, AI Rassier, Mike Deutz, Mark Anderson City Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Steve Frank, Greg Kacures Agenda: Deutz made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Graeve. Kalinowski added the following item to the agenda: After 4 Election of Planning Commission Chair The motion passed unanimously. Interim Use Permit. 403 1g~t Avenue NE: Chair Kalinowski called the hearing to order and stated that the purpose of the hearing was to consider an Interim Use Permit to allow an owner occupied rental at the property described as S2 of Lots 11 thru 14, Block 23, Loso's Addition. Ryan Lieser, 403 1st Avenue NE, St. Joseph, submitted the request. Kalinowski opened the public hearing and the hearing was closed as no one present wished to speak. Deutz questioned whether or not the items listed on the inspection report have been completed. Weyrens stated that they must be finished prior to Council approval; however, due to the current weather conditions, the parking area will be completed by spring. Lesnick then questioned Lieser's intent for the property. Weyrens advised Lesnick that because the property was used as single-family in the past, it could continue to be used as such. As a result, he secure an Interim Use Permit to allow for an owner-occupied rental. Deutz made a motion to accept the findings of fact and recommend that the Council approve the Interim Use permit for 4031$` Avenue NE. The motion was seconded by Loso. Rassier questioned the June 15t deadline for the completion of the parking and siding to which the Commission agreed to accept the recommendations of the Rental Housing Inspector. The motion passed unanimously. Planning Commission Addition: Kalinowski introduced Mark Anderson as the newest member to the Planning Commission. Ordinance Uodates: Kalinowski opened the public hearing and stated that the purpose of the hearing was to consider the adoption or amendments to the following Ordinances: ^ 52.11 Signs ^ 52.21 Transportation Corridor Overlay District Site and Design Standards ^ 52.09 PUD Planned Unit Development Overlay District ^ 54 Subdivision Regulations ^ 51 Building Ordinance ^ 56 Fence Ordinance ^ 52.27 R-1 Single Family Residence District ^ 52.28 R-2 Two Family Residence District ^ 52.29 R-3 Multiple Family Residence District ^ 52.34 LI Light Industrial District ^ 52.12 General Performance Standards ^ 52.31 B-1 Central Business District ^ 52.32 B-2 Highway 75 Business District December 4, 2006 Page 2 of 3 ^ 52.33 B-3 General Business District Weyrens stated that the proposed Ordinances have been posted on the City of St. Joseph Website and have been available for comment in the City Offices. Kalinowski opened the Public Hearing. Greg Kacures, 3071St Avenue NE, approached the commissioners with questions regarding the Sign Ordinance. He questioned when the Sign Moratorium would be lifted. Weyrens advised Kacures that the Council passed the Moratorium to expire on December 31; however Weyrens stated that it would be lifted once the Council adopts the revised Sign Ordinance. Weyrens stated that there were no changes on the permitted sizes of signs within the City; rather the language was changed to be more constitutional. The public hearing was closed. Rassier commented that the Planning Commission members have worked very hard on the aforementioned Ordinance Amendments over the past few months. Weyrens added that there are a few amendments that the Planning Commissioners have not yet seen. There are some proposed changes to the B-1, B-2, and B-3 Business Districts to allow for single family dwelling units in these districts that are currently being used as dwelling units to apply for an Interim Use Permit for a non owner occupied rental. Rassier stated that the reason for this proposed amendment is to allow for transitional zoning from single- family to commercial. Graeve questioned whether or not they would be limited to 3non-related people as in the residential districts or whether or not they could have more based on the size of the house. Weyrens clarified that they would follow the same guidelines as those issued in the residential districts with the exception of being non-owner occupied. Weyrens suggested adding that the maximum density would be defined as definition of family as in Ordinance 55. Deutz stated that this is a positive step for the City, as this allows these homes to be used rather than be vacant until the transition to commercial is completed. Deutz made a motion to recommend the Council amendment Ordinances 52.31, 52.32, and 52.33 adding a provision for rental units in all districts by issuance of an Interim Use Permits. Further the Ordinance Amendment should include Language to limit the maximum occupancy as that currently allowed in R1 Zoning Districts. The motion was seconded by Lesnick and passed unanimously. There were some questions relating to the Sign Ordinance as well. Graeve questioned who the Zoning Administrator is for the City. Weyrens replied that she currently acts as the Zoning Administrator. There was some question as to what was meant by the aggregate square footage of a sign. Deutz clarified that this would pertain to those businesses where there are more than one sign involved or if it were a business center with multiple tenants. Kalinowski stated that the PUD Ordinance was amended just as the Commissioners had discussed. Graeve, however, stated that he had some concerns with a section of the Ordinance, which states "Wetlands can be utilized to determine the area of developable land". He feels that the developers should not be able to use the wetlands for that purpose. Weyrens advised Graeve that the wetlands are to be used as a design feature for a development. Loso added that although the wetlands could be used to determine the area of developable land, it could not be used as buildable land. According to Rassier, developers could use the wetland area to increase their density, but the developer would still need to bring plans to the Planning Commission for approval. Rassier made a motion to approve the Amendments as presented for Ordinances 52.11, 52.21, 52.09, 54, 51, 56, 52.27, 52.28, 52.29, 52.34, and 52.12 and recommend that the Council execute the amendments and authorize the same to be published. The motion was seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously. December 4, 2006 Page 3 of 3 Weyrens advised the commissioners that they would receive new copies of the zoning ordinances after the first of the year. Election of Chair: Deutz made a motion to nominate Sr. Kathleen Kalinowski for Planning Commission Chair. The motion was seconded by Graeve. Rassier made a motion to nominate Bob Loso for Planning Commission Chair. The motion was seconded by Lesnick. As there were two nominations, the commissioners took a voted with Loso receiving 5 votes and Kalinowski receiving 2 votes. Therefore, Loso will be the Planning Commission Chair for the year 2007. . Ad~iourn: Rassier made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Lesnick and passed unanimously ~~ l J dy yreris l d strator