HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 [03] Mar 12March 12, 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, March 12, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Bob Loso, Ross Rieke, Sr. Kathleen Kalinowski, Mike Deutz, Mark Anderson,
Jim Graeve, AI Rassier. City Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: Steve Posch, AI Haus, Terrance Spandrike
Minutes: Rassier made a motion to approve the minutes of February 5, 2007. The motion was
seconded by Rassier.
Ayes: Loso, Rieke, Kalinowski, Anderson, Graeve, Rassier
Nays: None Abstain: Deutz Motion Carried 6:0:1
District 742 -Development Plan: Weyrens stated that previously the Planning Commission and City
Council reviewed and approved the issuance of a Special Use Permit to allow the construction of a K-8
School Facility in St. Joseph. At this time the School District is ready to present the development plan
which is the final approval needed from the Planning Commission. After the Planning Commission
approves the site plan, the details are memorialized through a development agreement which is executed
by the City Council.
At this time the floor was turned over to School representatives Steve Posch of , GLT Architects, EI Haus
of District 742 and Terrance Spandrike of Bogart and Peterson. Posch stated that there are no significant
changes to their plans since they requested the Special Use Permit. They did; however, submit the utility
plan, floor plan and exterior elevations for the Commissioners to review.
Deutz questioned the trails along CR121 and whether or not there would be trails connecting from
CR121 to the school. Weyrens advised Deutz that there will be trails connecting to the existing sidewalk
and trail plan. The City has applied for a safe school grant which would help fund the extension of the
sidewalk near Iverson Street to the School site. Regardless of the grant, the developer is responsible for
extending the sidewalk and lighting.
Kalinowski stated that she was impressed with their landscaping plan and that she likes the amount of
green space. Posch stated that they have been able to enter into a partnership with the DNR for the
maintenance of the natural grass areas that will attract birds and other wildlife. She questioned if they had
made any progress on the additional access to CR 121. Posch advised the commissioners that the
School District has appealed this matter to the County and assured them that they are working on this. He
added that they plan to set some money aside to build the additional access once it is approved by the
County.
With respect to the landscaping plan, Rieke questioned whether having the natural grasses will conflict
with the City's Weed Ordinance and whether or not that needs to be amended to allow for natural grass
areas. Weyrens stated that there will not be any conflicts as the Ordinance only relates to noxious weeds.
Graeve asked Posch to explain the general layout of the school and its rooms. According to Posch, each
general classroom will be approximately 28x32 or 900 sq. ft. There will be some rooms such as, the
science lab, kindergarten, early childhood classrooms, and the music room that will be approximately
1200 sq. ft. He added that the gymnasium will be approximately 13,000 sq. ft. and will contain two full-
size basketball courts and seating for 200. The cafeteria will have seating for approximately 225 people.
Posch also stated that the gymnasium, cafeteria and music room will all have performance areas
available. The school will also consist of a media center, graphic lab, 2 science labs, team rooms, and 2
art rooms.
There were some concerns raised by Commissioner Rassier as well. He stated that he did not receive the
plans for the second level. He also questioned the access road near the bus parking lot. Weryens clarified
that the submittal requirements do not require the developer to provide second level illstrations. The
Planning Commission is charged with reviewing the foot print as it relates to the Ordinances. The
Building Official reviews the floor plans for Building Code compliance. Posch stated that the access road
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will be used as an emergency access for buses to be able to enter and exit. He also questioned the
landscaped area to the east of the building. According to Posch, there will be a berm in that area and it
will be available for classroom use. He then questioned whether or not they have been in contact with the
developer regarding the lighting that will be used around the school to make sure that it matches the
street lights being put in by the developer. Weyrens advised Rassier that the City has been working with
the developer on the street lighting.
Anderson also stated his concern over the fact that they didn't receive plans for the second floor. He
questioned whether the second floor will be handicapped accessible. Posch assured the commissioners
that the second floor will be very similar to the first floor and there will be an elevator to provide for
handicap access. He advised the commissioners that he will provide those plans to them. He then
questioned who will be in charge of the snow removal. Haus stated that they have contracted with
Baggenstoss in the past and plan to continue to do so.
Loso questioned Posch and Haus as to the projected life of the school before any additions would be
needed. The current school has approximately 450 students and the new school will have a capacity of
approximately 700 students. According to Haus, they should be able to accommodate the growth over the
next ten years. Posch added that they have left room for expansion as well as a second school if and
when that would be necessary.
Rassier questioned the representatives as to the vision for the new school and where the students will
come from. They stated that the elementary students will come from Kennedy and the junior high
students will most likely come from North. Rieke mentioned that students from the St. Joseph area have
been attending other schools; however, they may choose to transfer to the new school, which may have
an impact on the life of the school before expansion would be needed.
Parking was another concern addressed by Rassier. Weyrens stated that the Ordinance does not give a
required number of parking spaces for schools. They will have 175 parking spots in the parking lot and
the bus area will provide for an additional 40 parking spots. Haus stated that there are approximately 85
employees; thus there are plenty of parking spaces available.
Rassier concluded by making sure that they are still working with the City on a partnership allowing the
City to use the school and facilities.
Loso made a motion to recommend that the Administrator work with the City Attorney to draft the
Development Agreement between the City of St. Joseph and School District 742, memorializing
the actions of the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Rieke.
Deutz questioned whether or not this property had been re-zoned. Weyrens stated that it is not necessary
to re-zone an area for a school. She added that they may want to re-zone the property once they consider
the rezoning of the remaining portion of the Arcon Development.
Ayes: Loso, Rieke, Kalinowski, Deutz, Anderson, Graeve
Nays: Rassier Motion Carried 6:1:0
Rassier clarified that he voted in the negative only because he did not have the second floor plan and
would like to see such before granting approval.
Posch questioned when the Development Plan would be presented to the City Council. Weyrens advised
him that it will be put on the agenda for the 5th of April as the Development Agreement must first be
drafted.
Adjourn: Rassier made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously.
u y Wens /~~~~
A ministrator