HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 [05] May 13May 13, 2013
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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, May 13, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the St. Joseph City hall opening with the pledge of
allegiance.
Members Present: Chair Ross Rieke. Commissioners Gina Dullinger, Chad Hausmann, Matt Killam,
Brad Cobb. Council Liaison Rick Schultz. Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Ordinance Amendments: Weyrens stated that each year the staff reviews Ordinances for changes that
are needed due to either changing practices or practical difficulties when enforcing. The information
presented to the Commission is a listed of items for discussion:
Staff noticed that sign regulations are inconsistent within the Ordinance.
Sign Ordinance The provisions listed in the Sign Ordinance are in conflict with the sign
provisions listed within each business Zoning District, particularly the
maximum size of a sign. The Commission agreed that 200 square feet
should be sufficient for the maximum size of a sign in the Business
Zoning Districts and directed staff to review the sign and business.
ordinances so that they are consistent.
Building The Ordinance currently does not required a building permit for
Ordinance accessory buildings under 120 square feet. Staff has encountered
issues with residents placing buildings over property lines or
easements; therefore staff is recommending issuance of a zoning
permit with a $ 5.00 or $ 10.00 permit to assure the building is placed
within a permitted area. The Planning Commission concurred.
Fence Ordinance The fence ordinance includes a provision for installing a decorative,
landscape or retaining wall. The provisions require footings for
structures over 24 inches that are equal to 150% of the width of the
wall. The Building Official indicated that the footings are excessive and
recommends changing to require footings that support the structure as
identified in the MN State Building Code. The Commission agreed.
B2 Highway The Building Official has requested clarification on the exterior
Business requirements and if the 50% requirement is the right number and if a
property could combine the 50% to two or three sides. The
Commission requested to clarify the ordinance the 50% of all side must
comply with the exterior requirements. Additionally if extra ordinance
circumstances apply, a variance could be secured.
Industrial Discussion on the requirement of exterior materials and if the language
should be changed to require adornment on only those sides that face
a public right of way. The Commission discussed the impact of future
road development or business development and concurred that the
exterior requirement should apply to all four sides, the same as in the
business district.
The Industrial Zoning District currently requires perimeter frost footings
for all construction. The Building Inspector has indicated that his
provision is prohibitive for some builders and the can still have quality
buildings without the perimeter footings. The original intent of the
footing requirement was to provide for quality building materials
enhancing the visual appearance of the Industrial areas. Since the
provision has been added other materials have been introduced are
just as stable. Regardless the City still has exterior requirements for
May 13, 2013
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adornment of buildings. The Commission concurred with the proposed
Industrial cont'd amendment.
And additional change should be the inclusion of provisions for
accessory buildings. The current ordinance does not include design or
building requirements. The Commission concured they should be
added.
Industrial — The Ordinance does not include a provision for bio- medical research
Permitted Uses yet the City identified the industrial area as acceptable when
encouraging bio- medical companies in the St. Cloud area. The EDA
has previously requested the amendment be considered. The
Commission concurred.
Industrial — Uses The current Ordinance requires a special use permit for the operation of
requiring Special an indoor fire range. Indoor fire ranges are regulated by MN Statute so
Use Permits staff is requesting to minimize the requirements within the Ordinance
referring the regulations. Therefore if the MN Statute changes, the
Ordinances to not need to change. The Commission agreed.]
Weyrens stated that staff will continue to work on the Ordinance amendments, incorporating the
comments of the Planning Commission and bring back for further discussion.
Adiourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
udy Weyrens
Ad nistrator