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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04] Minutes 2014 [02] Feb 03 February 3, 2014 13 Page of Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 6:30 PM in the St. Joseph City hall opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Chair Ross Rieke, Commissioners Gina Dullinger, Matt Killam, Daryl Shaefer, Brad Cobb, City Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Tom Klein, Jerry Gohmann, Gerry Gohmann, Steve Gohmann Killam made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Approval of the Agenda: Schultz seconded. Motion carried unanimously by those present. Approval of the Minutes: Rieke stated that he has not had the time to review the minutes from the prior meetings. Dullinger stated that she doesn’t have all the pages. The approval of the minutes will be carried over to the next meeting in order for the Commission to receive all pages of the minutes. Public Hearing, Special Use/Variance: Rieke called the hearing to order to which Weyrens stated that the purpose of the meeting is to consider a Special Use Permit and Variance Request to allow the operation of an events center at 31101 County Road 133, St. Joseph MN. The variance is being requested to relieve strict enforcement of the parking lot regulations. St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.32 Subd. 4(j) requires issuance of a special use permit for recreations services such as theaters, bowling establishments and clubs and lodges. The proposed events center is similar in nature to the aforementioned. St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.10 Subd. 5 identifies the requirements for parking lots to include hard surface material and curbing. The property owner is requesting relief from the design standards. The property for which Special Use and Variance is being sought is located at 31101 County Road 133, a.k.a. Scenic Specialties, legally described as E ¾ SE 4 SW 4 Lying N of County Road 133. The request has been submitted by Rolling Ridge Properties LLC, 9670 Deerwood Rd NE, Rice MN 56367. Randy Schmitz spoke on his own behalf, owner of Scenic Specialties. Schmitz stated that he is proposing to convert the existing century barn into an events center hosting primarily weddings and some occasional corporate events. The facility would operate between May and October of each year with the long range plan of operating a year round facility. Schmitz stated that the events would be high end events and not include concerts or drinking types of events. Weyrens stated that she added in the agenda links to other places that have the same events in barns. It is a place to hold private events for a fee. Schaefer asked what the ideas would be for parking. Schmitz stated that there are two areas that they would like to keep unpaved in order to stick with the overall look of the event center. Weyrens stated that the proposed events center would be a unique opportunity for the City of St. Joseph as there are no others like it nearby. Cobb stated that the plans look very nice but is concerned with what types of fire protection that may be out there as well as the amount of lighting. Schmitz stated that will be included in the building permit process. He added that the current light posts in the entrance will be replaced with LED lights which will be 2-3 times brighter. th Steve Gohmann, 8881 315 St spoke in regard to impact to adjoining property. Gohmann stated he lives directly north of the event center. His main concern is that the grass area boarders their pasture area where there are numerous cattle roaming. Gohmann is worried that people attending the events may cross over onto their property. Gohman stated that the property line is currently fenced with barbed wire, but is concerned about people’s curiosity when attending events. Rieke stated that since the property is fenced the matter should be resolved. He encouraged Schmitz to discuss the concerns with Gohman and if need add some signage or change the fencing. February 3, 2014 23 Page of As no one else was wising to speak, Rieke closed the public hearing at 6:45 PM. Weyrens clarified that the actions before the Planning Commission are two separate actions. The first matter is the issuance of a special use permit to allow an events center. The B2 Highway Business Ordinance requires issuance of a special use permit for recreational operations and the proposed use is similar in nature. The issuance of a special use permit allows the City to identify the specific use and attach reasonable regulations. The second matter before the Planning Commission is a variance to relief the property owner from strict enforcement of the parking lot requirements. Schmitz is proposing to utilize field space for parking and has provided adequate parking spaces for the proposed use. Schmitz stated that he is still working on his parking plan but is hoping to provide valet parking for the guests. The venue can support between 200 – 300 persons and based on 1 parking space for every four, he would need approximately 70 parking spaces and then additional for staff. Killam questioned Schmitz as to his timeline for opening. Schmitz stated that he has engaged an architect to work through the building codes issues and hopes to secure a building permit in April and be ready for operation in August/September Rieke asked the Commission if there are any additional areas of concern that has not been addressed by staff. He added that from a business mindset, he agrees that not having the lot paved will go with the overall look of the venue and the business is an opportunity for the City. Schulz stated that while he is supportive of the proposed use, he questions the requested variance and if th the City is being consistent in applying the requirements. Recently the City required a business on 8 Ave SE to pave the parking area and in the matter before the Commission, the request is for relief. Weyrens stated that the proposed use is rural in nature and the parking on natural turf is part of the th overall theme of the center; whereas the property on 8 Avenue was a business and the parking lot was to showcase their merchandise. Schaefer stated that he concurred that is was a more natural parking area and stated that the property does already contain paved parking areas, so he is not relieved from all paving. Dullinger questioned if there is a difference between special event parking as the parking lot will only be used during special events. Schultz clarified that he is supportive of the proposed use, he is looking for consistency in ordinance application. Schmitz stated that potentially down the road, they could pave the parking lot, however that would not go with the character of the lot. The event center is looking operate May – October. Rieke asked if there were any conversations with the Police Chief regarding having an off-duty officer at the events. Weyrens stated there was not. Staff is in the process of outlining all the issues and is recommending the Planning Commission table action on the matter to the next regular Commission meeting. Cobb asked what the timeline would be. Weyrens stated that the item would be brought back to the rdth Planning Commission on March 3 and to the City Council on March 6. Dullinger made a motion to table the public hearing for the special use and variance request submitted by Randy Schmitz to March 3rd. The motion was seconded by Killam and passed unanimously. Ordinance 52.11 Signs: Weyrens stated that they had requested the EDA provide additional input than what was given at the joint meeting on signage. They had some discussion on what they would like to see in a B3 zone. Staff will be formulating some information to present to the Planning Commission on the rd March 3 meeting. On the B3 corridor the EDA would like it to be more of a greenway, something more pleasing to the eye then having large signs. The minutes from the joint meeting will be ready and put with the next agenda for approval. February 3, 2014 33 Page of Mayor’s Report: Schultz stated that the Council is moving forward with annexation issues and will be in the Council meeting this Thursday. Schultz suggested having a meeting with the township again. Weyrens stated that she has sent over meeting requests to the township, but has not yet received a response. Schultz added that in the last Council meeting the Council approved $5,000 to Xcel to design stnd the relocation of the power lines on Minnesota Street between 1 Avenue SE and 2 Ave NW. Once the cost is received it is anticipated that it will be placed on the ballot for residents to vote if the City should move forward. . Rieke requested an update on the proposed Government Center project. Weyrens stated that the Council authorized the final design and bidding of the Government Center with an anticipated bide date of late March. The proposed facility is apprxoximately 19,000 square feet, more than double the existing facility. The proposed project will be constructed on the existing property, relocating the City Hall to an un determined site during construction. Rieke adjourned the meeting at 7:30 PM. Adjourn: Judy Weyrens Administrator This page intentionally left blank