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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 [05] May 01May 1, 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, May 1, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Gary Utsch. Commissioners: S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Marge Lesnick, Jim Graeve, AI Rassier, Mike Deutz, Bob Loso. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: David Potter, Bill Wasner, Ellen Wahlstrom, Daryl Studer, Roger Beuning Agenda: Lesnick made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Kalinowski. Graeve stated that he received a letter from Roger Beuning regarding preservation of the Core City and he would like to have that added to the agenda for discussion. He also stated that Daryl Studer from the Historical Society was present and they would like a few minutes for an update. Graeve also requested an update of the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Lastly, he stated that he had a few announcements. Deutz stated that he does not want to act on any issues on which no information was presented for review prior to the meeting. Loso made a motion to table the request of Roger Beuning to discuss the preservation of the Core City until the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Kalinowski. The motion passed. Ayes: Utsch, Loso, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Deutz, Rassier Nays: Graeve Motion Carried 6:1:0 The motion passed unanimously. Minutes: Lesnick made a motion to approve the minutes of January 17, 2006 with corrections being made as presented by Deutz and Kalinowski. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously. Rassier made a motion to approve the minutes of March 13, 2006. The motion was seconded by Kalinowski and passed unanimously. Deutz made a motion to approve the minutes of April 3, 2006 with changes being made per Kalinowski. The motion was seconded by Rassier and the motion passed. Ayes: Utsch, Deutz, Rassier, Lesnick, Graeve, Kalinowski Nays: None. Abstain: Loso Motion Carried 6:0:1 Midnight Haulers: Previously, the Planning Commission had approved the development request of Midnight Haulers to include the construction of a 21,000 square foot addition to their existing facility. At this time, they are requesting the following: ^ Directional Sign ^ Relief from Tree Planting David Potter approached the commissioners representing Midnight Haulers. He stated that he is seeking clarification of the Development Agreement as to the need for trees along CR 133. According to Potter, the site plan shows trees ending at the beginning of the fence line. The minutes, however, show trees extending along the fence line as well. According to Weyrens, the Development Agreement was executed by both parties and states that one tree would be planted every 35' along CR 133. Utsch stated that he recalls this discussion and he stated that trees were not required along CR 133; however, if the fence were removed, then the remaining trees would need to be added. According to Rassier, the exterior adornment was not required along that side of the building due to the screening of the fence, but the trees would be required. Loso stated that both Utsch and Rassier are correct. They approved the relief from the exterior adornment as well as the trees beyond the fence line with the understanding that if the fence were ever removed, then both items would need to be added. May 1, 2006 Page 2 of 3 Rassier made a motion to recommend the Council clarify the intent of the Developer Agreement as follows: Exterior Adornment adjacent to CR 133: If the fence along CR 133 is permanently removed, the front of the building facing CR 133 must meet the exterior requirements of the St. Joseph Code of Ordinances. Landscaping - If the fence abutting CR 133 is permanently removed, one tree shall be planted for every 35 feet of frontage abutting CR 133. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Weyrens stated that Midnight Haulers is also requesting approval to secure a building permit fora 48x96 directional sign to be placed by the entrance on 19th Avenue. She stated that the current Sign Ordinance does not have a provision for directional signs. Utsch stated that a 48x96 foot sign is too large for a directional sign. Deutz questioned the number of accesses to their shipping and receiving department. Potter explained that they have one main access as well as an emergency exit. In an effort to provide information to the Planning Commission, City staff contacted the surrounding Cities verifying the maximum allowed size of a direction sign. All of the area cities allow directional signs; however the size limitations vary. Weyrens stated that the St. Cloud definition is the most clear and states that a "directional sign is a sign which gives directions or instructions for the use on the lot on which the sign is located such as parking or exit and entrance signs". It also states that the "sign shall contain no advertising material. Loso stated that it would be nice to have a sign at the entrance to allow trucks to see where they should be entering and exiting the parking lot. Kalinowski questioned whether or not a maximum of 8' is possible for the sign. Rassier made a suggestion to allow a 24' sign to which Potter stated he could accept an 18 square foot sign. Deutz made a motion to recommend that the Council approve the securing of a building permit for a direction sign to be located at Midnight Haulers. The sign shall not exceed 18 square feet and shall not contain advertising. This motion further clarifies that when the Sign Ordinance is revised in 2006 the direction sign at Midnight Haulers must conform to the new regulations. The motion was seconded by Lesnick. Discussion: Deutz stated that they will need to discuss the advertising on the sign. Potter stated that he would like to have shipping and receiving on the sign and he stated that he would wait until the Council reviews the Ordinances before adding his logo. When questioned whether having the name on the sign is considered advertising, Weyrens stated that the name should not be the prominent part of the sign. The motion passed unanimously. Historical Society Update: Graeve stated that he received a call from Daryl Studer of the St. Joseph Historical Society regarding the need to find a new home for the Society. Therefore, Graeve stated that he invited the Historical Society to the meeting. Daryl Studer spoke on behalf of the Historical Society. Studer stated that the St. Joseph Historical Socity formed five years ago and have since collected items of historical relevance. The First State Bank of St. Joseph has provided space for the Society for the past five years. However, the Bank has informed the Society that they must find a new location, as the bank needs the office space. Studer requested the Planning Commission help find a space for the Society to locate. Loso questioned the possibility of the Historical Society using the Old City Hall. Weyrens stated that the Food Shelf and TOPS currently use the facility. The facility is not well secured nor is the heating working properly. Loso added that the City should help them financially and show some City support. Wasner stated that they have received no money yet from the City and the only option is for the City to provide them space. The commissioners discussed ways to fund the improvements to the old City Hall. They discussed using Park Board money or possibly asking the Stearns County Historical Society for money. May 1, 2006 Page 3 of 3 Weyrens stated that this is premature at this point and that they will be coming to the City Council meeting on Thursday to get feedback from the Council Tree Preservation: Graeve questioned the City Ordinance, which requires that trees be replanted when removed for development and how the same is enforced. Weyrens stated that the Tree Preservation Ordinance states that a developer "should" replace tress removed for development. The Ordinance clarifies the developer should find alternative development styles and re-planting is not required if the development style reduces the amount of trees removed. The development plan submitted by MN Land Development minimizes tree removal. In fact, if the developer planned the development as a standard R1, the entire site would have to be mass graded resulting in clear cutting. Graeve disagreed with the interpretation of the Ordinance. Upcoming Meetinos: ^ May 22, 2006 Special Meeting to discuss Crescent Hills, College of St. Benedict Dining Facility, and the Feed Mill project. ^ May 24, 2006 Discussion of Ordinance Amendments Clean-Up Dav: Graeve advised the commissioners that on May 8'h, there will be a clean-up day on which residents can come and help clean up the downtown area. Ad~iourn: Lesnick made a motion to adjourn at 7:55 PM seconded by Kalinowski. The motion passed unanimously. Ju eyre %~ A mi strator