HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 [03] Mar 13March 13, 2006
Page 1 of 2
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular
session on Monday, March 13, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Gary Utsch. Commissioners: S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Marge Lesnick, Bob Loso,
Jim Graeve, AI Rassier, Mike Deutz. City Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: Charles Cushing, Doris Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Chuck Scherer.
Agenda: Graeve made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Lesnick and passed
unanimously.
Public Hearin -Scherer Truckin : Utsch opened the public hearing at 7:00 and stated the purpose of the
hearing is to The purpose of the hearing is to consider amending the Comprehensive Plan changing the
future land use plan for the property described below to 62 Highway Business and to consider the
rezoning of the same property. The area for consideration is as follows:
1005 East Minnesota Street from current R3 to 62 Highway Business
1007, 1013, 1019 East Minnesota Street from current R1 to B2 Highway Business
Chuck Scherer, Scherer Trucking, submitted the request for rezoning and Comprehensive Plan
Amendment.
Weyrens stated that previously Scherer Trucking presented the Planning Commission with a request to
rezone their property abutting Minnesota Street from the current R3/R1 to B2 Highway Business to allow
for an additional parking lot. During the discussion, it was suggested that the property owners abutting
12th Avenue SE be contacted to determine interest in rezoning those properties to B2 as well. Since that
time, one property owner has expressed interest in the rezoning.
Chuck Scherer approached the Commissioners on behalf of Scherer Trucking. Scherer stated that he is
requesting rezoning to allow for additional parking on the current Scherer Trucking site. Currently
Scherer Trucking leases parking space from MN Home Improvement, North of CR 75. If the rezoning is
approved the leased space would not be needed.
Doris Johnson, 1112 E Minnesota Street spoke to the Commissioners in support of rezoning Scherer's
property as 62; however she spoke in opposition to the possible rezoning of additional property along
Minnesota Street to 12th Avenue SE. She stated that she is in favor of rezoning the property in question at
1005 E Minnesota Street as this is part of an established business and it already faces CR 75 resulting in
no additional traffic along Minnesota Street. She stated that the other properties along Minnesota Street
beyond Scherer Trucking should not be rezoned as 62 because they do not face nor do they have access
from CR 75. In her opinion, she does not want to see businesses in a residential neighborhood.
Ron Molus, 310 Hickory Court also approached the Commissioners; however he spoke in support of the
rezoning. He stated that he owns the property on the corner of Minnesota and 12th Avenue and he
believes that this is a poor location for a home and that the entire corner should be rezoned as B2.
The public hearing was closed at 7:10.
Rassier stated that that in his opinion the rezoning is an appropriate request as the existing business is
currently a permitted use in a 62 Zoning District. He further stated that if the lots were larger along CR
75, he would like to see the rezoning extend further east. Deutz stated that he was aware of the rezoning
request presented by Scherer Trucking, but questioned how the additional two properties were added to
the rezoning hearing. Weyrens stated that when Scherer Trucking presented the request to initiate a
rezoning request, the Planning Commission discussed the land use of the remaining two parcels east of
Scherer Trucking abutting MN Street, extending to 12th Avenue SE. It was the consensus of the
Commission to add these two properties to the rezoning amendment unless the property owners
expressed opposition.
March 13, 2006
Page 2 of 2
Utsch stated that he does not believe that one of the properties is large enough for a business; however,
it could be combined with the corner lot. Weyrens recommended the Commission amend the
Comprehensive Plan as stated above and only rezone the property owned by Scherer Trucking at this
meeting. Amending the Comprehensive Plan at this time provides an opportunity in the future for the
property to be developed commercially.
Deutz made a motion to recommend the Council amend the Comprehensive Plan for District 9 to
illustrate the future land use as B2 from the property currently zoned R3 East to 12th Avenue SE.
The motion was seconded by Lesnick and passed unanimously.
Rassier made a motion to recommend the Council approve the rezoning amendment of the
property currently owned by Scherer to B2, Highway Business. The motion was seconded by
Deutz.
Discussion: The Commissioners discussed certain landscaping requirements with Scherer and the
drainage issues. Scherer questioned where the 20' buffer zone begins, to which Weyrens stated it is
measured from the curb. Weyrens advised the Commissioners that they would not see this plan again for
a final approval, as the building will not change.
Ordinance Amendments: Weyrens advised the Commissioners that City Staff has found several
Zoning/Subdivision Ordinances that they would like amended. She then added that there will be a
Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 PM to discuss the possible amendments.
Ad~iourn: Rassier made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Lesnick and passed unanimously.
~! ~ ~ ~~~
ud We fens
Y
Ad inistrator