HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 [12] Dec 10December 10, 2007
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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, December 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Bob Loso. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Mike Deutz, Ross Rieke.
Jim Graeve, Mark Anderson. Council Liaison Dale Wick. Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Ordinance 55. Housing Occupancy and Maintenance: Loso stated the purpose of the meeting is discuss
and review potential changes to Ordinance 55. The proposed changes are as a result of the moratorium
on rental housing in R1 Zoning Districts and discussions from the November 26 Planning Commission
meeting. The majority of the proposed changes are based on the Ordinance from the City of Northfield.
Weyrens further clarified that the added areas are suggestions only and the Planning Commission should
determine which changes they would support. The following items were discussed:
• Changing the ownership requirement in the R1 Zoning District from the current 50% to 100%.
The rental provision will still require the issuance of an Interim Use Permit, however, the
applicant will be required to submit a recorded document providing evidence that he/she are
100% fee owners of the property. The Interim Use Permit must be renewed annually and the
property owner will be required to provide proof of ownership via a recorded document.
• Clarified that the City currently licenses all rental units annually.
• Requested verification on whether or not the provisions included in the current Ordinance
regarding the Inspections at the College of St. Benedict are accurate.
• The current Ordinance contains inconsistencies regarding the minimum ceiling height
requirement.
• The Ordinance should require a 30 minute response time for the property owner or manager.
The current Ordinance requires a 20 minute response.
• The proposed Ordinance adds a provision limited the number of rental units based on the
percentage of lots in a defined area. The Planning Commission rejected this concept.
• The current Ordinance requires all new rental licenses to be approved by the Planning
Commission. This is currently not the practice as if the qualify the rental license is issued. The
Commission agreed to delete this item.
• The Commission discussed the inspection entrance revisions and questioned the definition of a
bona fide complaint and how violations will be handled.
• The proposed amendment allows for additional tenants through a process. The Commission
does not intend to allow for increased density.
• Discussed the requirements regarding outlets, definition of design standards and the effect of
such to current rental units, use of disposable fire extinguishers and how they relate to the
requirements of certification and the provisions regarding the use of extension cords.
• The proposed Ordinance required posting of the owners name and address. The Commission
requested this provision be removed. The rental process currently requires the property owner
to provide contact information and that is readily available to the Police Department.
• The Ordinance should reference parking requirements and the prohibition to park on the grass.
• Questioned the need to identify all the Statutes that cannot be violated.
December 10, 2007
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• The violation portion of the Ordinance should be revised to identify the current practice.
Weyrens will provide the City Attorney with the proposed changes and represent the material to the
Planning Commission for review and comment.
Ad~iourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:00 PM
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Jud Wens
Ad inistrator