HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes
May 20, 2013
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph and the St. Joseph
Township Board met in special session on Monday, May 20, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
City Council Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Renee Symanietz, Bob Loso, Steve
Frank. Administrator Judy Weyrens.
St. Joseph Township Board Present: Township Supervisors Jeff Janssen and Jerome Salzer. Township
Clerk Ann Reischl.
Others Present: Ross Rieke, City Planning Commissioner.
Schultz and Janssen opened the meeting and stated the purpose of the meeting is to continue the
discussion of the management of the Orderly Annexation (OA) Agreement. Since the last meeting the
OA map has been updated to reflect the current city boundaries. The following is a summary of the
discussion:
The intent of reviewing the OA at this time is to make sure the document provides for responsible
leadership and managed growth.
The OA map can be amended to combine the expired zones into one zone and to consider
reviewing the timeline for the zone that expires in 2017. What happens after 2017?
Weyrens questioned if dates are even needed in the OA given the criteria for annexation which
were not part of the original OA. The annexation is driven by development and the ability to
extend sewer. Loso stated that the purpose of the agreement is not to land grab and dates
should be included.
In reviewing the OA the following needs to be considered: how to respond to developer and to
development; how can the City initiate action; how are the island pockets managed?
If timelines are removed from the OA map, what are the pros and cons?
Each entity has to decide what they are looking for in updating the plan. Janssen elaborated that
for the Township issues include: providing a date for when residents can reasonably
expect to be annexed; financial viability of the Township with the loss of tax base; how is
growth handled in the OA area such as whose ordinances or regulation apply; how is
conflict resolution handled; provisions that allow the township to develop.
for the City issues include: identifying areas where growth can occur; planning for
efficient expansion of utilities; Schultz added making sure that development in the
Township is consistent with the approved documents and do not create financial burdens
in the future.
Schultz discussed the property adjacent to CR 2 and the City has been working on extending utilities to
for development. He suggested that the City and Township begin to explore an expansion area for the
Orderly Annexation so that the City can adequately plan for infrastructure development. Weyrens stated
that at one point the City and Township had discussed an expansion area west of I-94, recognizing that it
was for long range planning. Janssen stated that he agrees that the boundaries should be reviewed but
the Township needs to be able to expand its tax base and does not want to feel that the City can limit
their potential.
With regard to the land use management process the following issues of concern where identified:
Board representation. Salzer requested that consideration be given to adding the County as a
voting member to eliminate tie votes. Schultz stated that he is okay with four members from the
City and four from the Township as it forces both entities to find a compromise. In the case of the
Notch development, neither the City nor the Township received everything they would have like,
but each entity found a middle ground that was acceptable. In addition, adding the County as the
tie breaking vote would not be fair to the representative as they would feel they would have to
pick sides.
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Land Use Process. Janssen stated that one of his goals would be to assure that the Township is
made whole for the cost of the planning process. Last year the Township did not cover costs with
the revenue received. Weyrens stated that same issue is true for the City and costs should be
reviewed. Discussion included the timeliness of receiving applications and that sometimes the
City/Township does not receive the applications until 30 to 45 days of the 60 day land use action
required has been exhausted. Those present agreed that the timeline can be extended if
additional time is needed.
Land Use Documents. Schultz and Janssen discussed the applicability of Zoning Ordinances
and plans and whose documents take precedence. Salzer stated that he is concerned when the
City can implement their plans in land that is not even located within the City. Schultz stated that
this goes back to finding a compromise in the decision. Each jurisdiction needs to review their
plans and decide how the matter before the board applies and then work together to find a
compromise.
Janssen stated that communication is key to the continued process. While the City and Township have a
good working relationship, the Township is guarded due to the recent actions of the City of Waite Park.
The Board and Council has identified areas that need improvement and at some point the City and
Township should provide direction to the Planning Commission of each entity to research and
recommend an update to the Orderly Annexation Agreement. Loso suggested that Bob Heim be
contacted to see if he could facilitate the process. Janssen stated that it is his opinion that the Planning
Commissions can manage the changes that are needed as the Township is not looking to revise the
entire document.
Those present agreed to continue the discussion on June 25, 2013 at which time a revised map will be
prepared illustrating the expired zoning districts and zoning district that expires in 2017.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM
Judy Weyrens
Administrator