HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02c] Minutes 2015 [01] Jan 05 Joint
January 5, 2015
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Joint Planning Board of the St. Joseph Orderly Annexation Area met
in a special session on Monday, January 5, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Rick Schultz, Jerome Salzer, Brenda Stanger, Renee Symanietz, Chad Hausmann,
Ross Rieke, Hal Undersander, Ralph Eiynck. City Administrator Judy Weyrens
Others Present: Cory Ehlert, Don Thielman, Darlene Thielman, Ed Merking, Trent Merking, Hal Undersander,
Mark Thompson, Ann Meyer, Paul Krey, Bob Loso, Dale Wick, Matt Killam, Jeff Janssen, City Engineer Randy
Sabart, Developer Engineer Will Huston, Kevin Cox.
Salzer made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 18 minutes as
Approval of the Minutes:
corrected; seconded by Eiynck and passed unanimously.
Rezoning – Notch: Chair Schultz stated that on November 18, 2015 the Joint Planning conducted a public
hearing for the proposed rezoning of property described as the S½ SW¼ NE ¼ and the S½ SE¼ NW¼, lying
westerly of County Road 2 in Section 3, St. Joseph Township (124/29) containing approximately 40 acres. The
property address is 31486 County Road 2, St. Joseph MN, 56374. The request is to rezone from the current
Urban Expansion (UE) to Residential R10 (R10). At the public hearing the Joint Planning Board determined
they did not have enough information to make a decision and tabled action.
Ehlert stated that he along with City Staff met to discuss concerns. Sunset Ridge 2 is the remaining 40 acres of
the Roman Notch Trust. Ehlert added they are requesting that it be rezoned at R10 which would divide the land
into four 10 acre parcels. One of the noticeable changes is the location of the right of way which would line up
nicer. It would make lots one and two slightly larger than lots three and four. The other change is regarding the
East/West Corridor. It ran to the south of the entire property line. The lots will be serviced by a common
driveway which will be a 24 foot road. The driveway will be private. Ehlert added that they will be happy to
maintain the private driveway and can be put into the developer’s agreement. Once the East/West Corridor
would go in, the driveway easement would be removed and the dividing lines between lots 2, 3, and 4 will be the
primary access point. Ehlert presented a map showing 14 ghost platted lots averaging about 2 acres.
Hausmann asked if the property owners to the South have reviewed the proposed map. Ed Merkling stated that
he has not reviewed the plans but as an adjoining property owner does have concerns with the location of the
proposed east/west north corridor. He questioned the location of the proposed corridor and it the corridor has
been established.
Hausmann stated that not all lots will be impacted equally as lots 1 and 2 will be impacted by the driveway and
driveway easement. Lot 4 will be minimally impacted. Hausmann added that future owners should be made
aware of the ghost plat so that they may plan their home construction accordingly.
Ehlert stated there are three road proposals for the corridor. Other options would bring the road further South,
which would affect Northland Heights. The other option would bring the road west to connect to County Road 2.
Sabart stated that when planning the first phase of Sunset Ridge with the alignment coming down and
terminating at a cul-de-sac, there were concerns about the Western extension. Sabart added that about four
years ago the City was in the process of conducting two environmental studies. Both of the studies had been
suspended due to an interpretation by the Federal Highway Administration. As a result, there is not a preferred
road for the corridor, leaving the window open to make changes.
Ehlert stated that as a result of their meeting with staff, he was asked to be willing to commit to where the
east/west corridor was to end. He feels that the plan he has presented is it.
Schultz stated that the APO will be putting this corridor back on their plan in order to come up with a preferred
route so that developers will know where that road will be. To the question posed about when the corridors will
be finalized, Sabart stated that the APO has a 20 year planning horizon for their transportation plan which is a
commitment of Federal highway dollars. If the City were to choose to build the roads with different funds or
developments, there could be a different time table. Sabart added that all the alignment options are still on the
table with this development.
January 5, 2015
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Loso asked if it is in harmony with the Comprehensive Plan. Weyrens stated that the plan identifies the area as
low density. Questions can be raised as to when services will be available and it is up for interpretation as to
what low density means. Weyrens added that zoning cannot be conditional. It either has to fit the long term
plans or it doesn’t.
Schultz asked if rezoning to R5 would give the same flexibility as R10. Ehlert stated that it would give 4 more
building entitlements as there would be 8 if zoned as an R5. The challenge would be to divide the land into 8
parcels and then access points and roadways would need to be relooked at.
Salzer made a motion recommending approval of the rezoning request to rezone the property located at
31486 County Road 2, St. Joseph, MN, legally described below, from UE, Urban Expansion to R-10
Residential. The motion was seconded by Hausmann and passed unanimously.
Property Description: the S½ SW¼ NE ¼ and the S½ SE¼ NW¼, lying westerly of County
Road 2 in Section 3, St. Joseph Township (124/29) containing approximately 40 acres. The property address is
31486 County Road 2, St. Joseph MN, 56374
Rezoning – American National Bank: Chair Schultz stated that on November 18, 2015 the Joint Planning
conducted a public hearing for the proposed rezoning of property described Part of the NW ¼ and NW ¼ NE ¼
lying easterly of County Road 121 and northeasterly of the Sauk River in Section 23, St. Joseph Township
(124/29), containing approximately 143.6 acres. The request is to rezone from the current Urban Expansion
(UE) to Residential R10 (R10). At the public hearing the Joint Planning Board determined they did not have
enough information to make a decision and tabled action.
Ehlert that as with the Notch property, this one was also discussed in the working meeting with City staff. The
original parcel is 143 acres and the request is to rezone to R10. The plan is to have the lots with their separate
wells and septic systems. On the north portion, a road will be constructed to also serve as a driveway with a cul-
de-sac at the end. The south side of the development houses the Sauk River.
Ehlert stated there are a couple different utility layouts for the development. Some of the discussions have
included the lift station off of County Road 121. In the event that City services were to be extended, a lift station
would be required, which would serve a large area including a portion of the Arcon property on the west side of
CR 121.
Janssen questioned if there is going to be a need for additional right of way for the future from the County
Highway Department. Ehlert stated that he did provide the County Engineer with a copy of the proposed
development and he has yet to receive a response; however he stated that they have only had for a couple of
weeks.
Ehlert stated that since the wetland study has been completed, the wetland area has grown considerably.
Therefore, the preliminary plat may have to shift the cul-de-sac to compensate for the increase in wetland area.
It would give the lot additional buildable space.
Hausmann made a motion recommending approval to rezone the property legally described as part of
the NW ¼ and NW1/4, NE1/4 lying easterly of County Road 121 and northwesterly of the Sauk River in
Section 23, St. Joseph Township (124-29) from UE, Urban expansion to R-10, Residential. The motion
was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously.
Schultz adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM
Adjourn: As the agenda was complete, .
Rick Schultz Judy Weyrens
Acting Joint Board Chair Joint Board Secretary