HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 [08] Aug 07August 7, 2006
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular
session on Monday, August 7, 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: Dennis Stueve, Cheri Burg, Charles Burg, Crystal Heller, Dean Wick, TJ Ortmann
A enda: Lesnick made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Loso and passed
unanimously.
Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of June 5, 2006 with the changes made per
Kalinowski; seconded by Graeve and passed unanimously.
Interim Use Permits: Weyrens stated that the Planning Commission reviews the Interim Use Permits
annually. She advised the commissioners that Brandon Kappes, 32 - 1^` Avenue SE, no longer has an
Interim Use Permit, as he never completed the process last year. She also stated that the only property
with any contact over the past year is that of TJ Ortmann, 308 -10th Avenue SE.
Loso made a motion to approve the Interim Use Permits as presented; seconded by Lesnick.
Utsch administered his rental housing update for the Interim Use properties. He stated the following:
^ Brandon Kappes, 32 -1gt Avenue SE should be removed from .the list of Interim Use Permits, due to
the fact that he did not comply last year.
^ Linda Hutchinson, 133 - 5th Avenue SE, has not yet had any inspections on her property and, as a
result, she must re-apply for an Interim Use Permit.
^ Patrick Conway, 35 - 2"d Avenue SE, has not followed through with the corrections from his first
inspection, which was to be completed by August 1. Utsch spoke with him today and he was to have
his inspections scheduled by August 15, 2006 for both this year and for his corrections.
According to Rassier, the permits for Hutchinson and Conway should not be held up if the required
inspections are completed.
Loso withdrew his original motion and Lesnick withdrew her second.
Based on prior discussions, the following have had no violations or issues within the past year:
^ Mike Bader, 101 - 5th Avenue NW
^ Jim Odegard, 763 College Avenue S
^ Brian Shields, 321 Cypress Drive
The following properties are not in compliance:
^ Linda Hutchinson, 133 - 5th Avenue SE
^ Patrick Conway, 35 - 2"d Avenue SE
The following property owner had a noise complaint within the past year:
^ Timothy Ortmann, 308 -10th Avenue SE
Deutz made a motion to approve the Interim Use Permits for Bader, Odegard, and Shields. The
motion was seconded by Graeve and passed unanimously.
Deutz made a motion to approve both Conway and Hutchinson if they are in compliance by
September 1, 2006. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously.
TJ Ortmann, 308 -10th Avenue SE, approached the commissioners to discuss the noise complaint for his
property. Deutz questioned Ortmann as to whether or not he was home at the time of the incident, to
which Ortmann stated he was not. According to Ortmann, only one of the people involved was living in
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the house at the time (Adam) and he has since moved out. Deutz advised him that he is responsible for
any incidences that occur on the property whether he is there or not. Ortmann advised the
Commissioners that Adam no longer lives there. He stated he has two roommates: Ryan Kettenacker and
Robert Klatt.
When questioned what happens when these types of issues arise, Weyrens stated that there is no policy
set up, as there haven't been any issues yet. Utsch suggested that in these types of situations, the
property owner be given a probationary period of 6 months. Rassier added that the rental units in town
need to respect the neighbors around them.
Rassier made a motion to review the Interim Use Permit again in 6months after the probationary
period has expired and if there were any violations, the Interim Use Permit would be removed. The
motion was seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously.
Relating to the rental issue, Loso asked why some rental properties are not kept up. Utsch stated that the
rentals are inspected at the time of their yearly inspection or if there is a complaint regarding a specific
property. He also stated that they plan to do a better job checking that all items get taken care of.
Dennis Stueve, 111 Able Street E, approached the Commissioners to state his concerns with the Kappes
residence. Previously, he has applied for an Interim Use Permit; however that has not been re-issued.
Stueve stated that he is unhappy with the amount of care that he does for his property, such as the
weeds in his yard. Rassier advised Stueve that the City has a weed inspector and he has been working to
get these types of yards cleaned up.
Recreation Use -Industrial Park: Weyrens indicated that the City has received a request to allow a
recreational facility in the Industrial Park. She stated that the property that they are looking to occupy is
the former meeting grounds building owned by Dave Mehr. She stated that if the Planning Commission
approves this as a permitted use in the Industrial Park, they would be required to get a Special Use
Permit.
Dean Wick, Outsource Management, approached the Commissioners along with Crystal Heller to
represent Bounce, Inc. According to Wick, they have been looking at a lot of different options for the
business. Although this space is less than they originally wanted, they feel that this would be a good
place for them to start their business. He also mentioned that the County denied their request for space in
the St. Joseph Industrial Park East.
There will be two party rooms and a bounce arena at the facility in which there will be inflatable kids
games. This will be primarily used for children's birthday parties. Heller stated that the children will be
anywhere from 3-14 years old. The hours will be as follows:
Tuesday -Thursday Noon - 8:00 PM
Friday -Saturday Noon -10:00 PM
Sunday Noon - 8:00 PM
For a child's party, they are allowed 2 hours in the party room and 1 hour in the bounce arena. 2 hours of
the day will be reserved for public time in the arena.
Wick indicated that this would be an incubator business and that they plan to grow over the next couple of
years. Loso questioned when they plan to move to a larger facility. Wick stated hopefully within 3-5years.
Utsch stated that this use would fit as a special use, which would require a public hearing. Deutz stated
that although this use is not directly mentioned in the Ordinance, he feels that this would be a good area
for astart-up business. Lesnick questioned the signage and they stated that they would have a sign on
the front of their building. According to Rassier, this would be a good spot for the business to start-up;
however, he stated it might be a better option for use in a recreational zoning district. Loso stated that this
is a good area for this business as they have the high ceilings that they need and it would be best to
occupy the building rather than leave it vacant.
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Loso made a motion to set the Public Hearing for a Special Use Permit for this incubator business
for September 5, 2006.
Lot Split Reauest - 813 E Minnesota Street: Weyrens stated that there is a lot located near Scherer
Trucking that the owners are looking to split. The existing lot is large enough to accommodate the split.
She stated that the owners are looking to split the lot East and West; however, the only way the split will
work is if it is split North and South.
Loso made a motion to approve the North/South Lot Split for 813 E Minnesota Street. The motion
was seconded by Kalinowski.
Utsch questioned what the lot sizes would be once the lot is split to which Weyrens advised them that
those numbers have not yet been determined. Utsch also questioned whether or not there is enough
room for the driveways. Charles Burg approached the Council as the property owner requesting the split.
He stated that they want to divide the property east and West and provide one lot with access to
Minnesota Street and one lot with an easement for a driveway. Weyrens advised Burg that the lot must
abut a City street. Graeve agreed with the homeowners stating that one access to Minnesota Street
would be safer; however Loso stated that they must comply with the City's Ordinances. Weyrens also
advised the Commissioners that the water and sewer were stubbed in for this property in the event that
this lot was split. Deutz questioned whether or not there is a minimum lot width that they must have, to
which Weyrens stated is 75'.
The motion passed unanimously.
Ordinance Meeting: Based on discussion, the meeting to discuss the ordinance amendments is set for
August 23, 2006 at 7:00.
Clinton Village Lots: Loso questioned the sale of the lots in Clinton Village. Weyrens stated that there
were two lots and both were platted and reserved for access to future development. After reviewing the
plans for development, these lots are not needed for access roads. Both lots have large easements on
them. According to Weyrens, the City had no need to keep the lots. She also mentioned that the adjoining
property owners were offered the lots before they were up for sale.
Ad~iourn: Deutz made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Lesnick and passed unanimously
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