HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 [12] Dec 17December 17, 2008
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in special
session on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 5:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Kathleen Kalinowski. Commissioners Mike McDonald, Ross Rieke, Mark
Anderson, John Meyer. Council Liaison Dale Wick, Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: Ellen Wahlstrom, S. Kathryn Kraft, S. Paul Revier, Brian Anderson, Joe Walz, Mary
McDonald, S. Mari Terese Woida, S. Tomasette Schueller.
Approval of Agenda: Kalinowski stated that the Commissioners have received a request from Ellen
Wahlstrom requesting the Planning Commission take additional time in reviewing the Comprehensive
Plan, Kalinowski stated that the Planning Commission has considered each comment made a the public
hearing and is uncertain for the need to delay approval. Therefore, Kalinowski stated that the
Commission must determine whether or not this matter will be added to the agenda.
Wick and Meyer concurred with Kalinowski and stated that the Comprehensive Plan before the
Commission at this time is the most environmentally friendly Plan prepared by the City. Further, the
Commission has acknowledged that there are some areas where additional research may be needed and
that can be accomplished through an amendment. Both Wick and Meyer stated that delaying adoption of
the Comprehensive Plan would not be in the City's best interest, agreeing to continue working on items
for future amendments would be in the best interest. Anderson stated that he would like to hear what
Wahlstrom has to say and made a motion to amend the agenda to add Ellen Wahlstrom to the
Agenda; the motion was seconded by Meyer and passed unanimously.
Minutes: Meyer made a motion to approve the minutes of November 3, 2008 as presented;
seconded by McDonald and passed unanimously.
Wick made a motion to approve the minutes of November 26, 2008 with a grammatical correction;
seconded by Anderson and passed unanimously.
Comprehensive Plan Update: Planning Consultant Cynthia Smith-Strack stated that the final corrections
as requested at the November 26, 2008 Planning Commission meeting have been incorporated in the
document and is ready for final adoption. Smith-Strack presented the Commission with a resolution
recommending the Council adopt the 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
Commission again expressed the completeness of the document and that it will help with the
development of St. Joseph over the coming years. They also acknowledged that as a working document,
amendments will be prepared from time to time. The document before them includes protection of
resources while allowing for growth. Therefore, McDonald made a motion to recommend the Council
adopt the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. The motion was seconded by Meyer and passed
unanimously.
Ellen Wahlstrom. Environmental Concerns: Ellen Wahlstrom approached the Planning Commission and
expressed concern with the Comprehensive Plan that was just adopted by the Planning Commission.
She stated that in reading the document she still has concerns with the language in the Plan regarding
wetlands, buffer zones and terminology regarding such.
Smith-Strack stated that the classification of wetlands is based on existing industry definitions. High
quality wetlands are those that are to be kept in a natural stated and protected. The City relies on
Stearns County to manage the wetlands and review plats. Whalstrom stated that she raises this question
because of the Arcon Development and the need to protect the wetlands surrounding the Sauk River and
the sensitive areas.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 5:55 PM.
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