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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 [01] Jan 04 - January 4, 1993 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, January 4, 1993 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Members of the Commission Donald "Bud" Reber, Sr. Kathleen Kalinowski, Ken Hiemenz, Kurt Schnieder, Dan Nierengarten, Linda Sniezek. Secretary of the Board Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Council Liaison Stephanie Hazen, Steve Dehler, Fred Sandal, Bob Loso, Mr. & Mrs. Al Pfannenstein. Special Use Hearing - Steve Dehler~ Chair Klein called the hearing to - order at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a special use request to allow for a lodging house in a General Business Zone. The property is located at 33 Minnesota Street West and is legally described as Lot 7 , Block 9, Townsite of St. Joseph; Lot 8 Less E2' & E6' of Lot 7 Block 9 . Mr. Dehler explained that he has been trying to find a use for the Store, and is before them to request a special use permi t to use the property as a lodging house. Retail space in St. Joseph is not desirable at this time. The plans have not yet been drawn, but they will met all building codes. The design is to have a bathroom for each bedroom and a locked cabinet in the kitchen for each person. Additionally, the rooms will be approximately 12' x 20' and will house 2 students. The lodging house would only be located on the lower level of the building. Mr. Dehler stated that he has sold the building on the corner to Mr. Deutz, but retained the parking lot behind the businesses. Chair Klein asked those present if they had any questions. Al Pfannenstein questioned the number of students that would be living in the lodging house. Mr. Dehler stated that the plans are not definite, but he is looking at between 16 and 18. The Prep School has contacted him and they are looking at the possibility of renting the space for a dorm for the female students. Mr. Dehler stated that he would like to see the space utilized by Senior Citizens, but didn't know if that would ever happen. The Comn1ission discussed the Ordinances that define lodging house and multiple family dwellings and questioned how Mr. Dehler , plans fit into the Ordinance. After s discussion, the Commission was in general agreement that a lodging house is a permitted use in a general business zone. St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.00 subd 4(k) reads: Hotels, motels, taverns, private clubs, and lodging. The Commission agreed that the intent of the above section was lodging houses, not lodging. Therefore, Mr. Dehler does not need a special use permit. He will however, need to comply with all the building codes. Chair Klein closed the hearing at 8: 10 p.m. Mr. Dehler thanked the Planning Commission for their time and stated that he would not request a refund for the Special Use Hearing since the Commission was required to publish and mail notices. Fred Sandal: Fred Sandal appeared before the Planning Commission to discuss the final draft of the comprehensive plan. Additionally, he presented the prepared by the Engineer , office for inclusion new maps s in the plan. Shading will be used for the different illustrations. The next step in the plan is to discuss future land use planning. Mr. Page 1 January 4. 1993 Sandal strongly encouraged the Comn1i s s i on to finalize the plan for submission to the Council~ allowing the data to be current. Sr. - Kathleen questioned if the official map, (transportation), had been included in the plan and what the opinion of the Comn1i s s i on is regarding this matter. The Commission requested an opinion from the City Attorney, John Scherer, as to the implications of adopting an official map including: a. Advantages and disadvantages b. City obligation when owner wishes to sell property c. Determination of fair market value d. Process involved in purchasing the property Additionally, the opinion should include if the City could adopt an official map with only one or two corridors. The COI111TIi s s ion continued to discuss the comprehensive plan and felt they needed more time to review the document. Since the COITUni s s ion has two new members, they felt i t was important for the current members to met with the new members to discuss how they have been working on the plan and have discussion on the plan. Any additions/corrections would be forwarded to Mr. Sandal for inclusion. When the plan IS redrafted, the Comn1.i s s ion will met with Mr. Sandal to discuss the final draft and presentation to the Ci ty Council. Sr. Kathleen felt that it IS important for the Planning Commission to feel comfortable with the document before presenting the plan to the Ci ty Council. New Members: The City Clerk's Office received six ( 6 ) resumes from interested persons wishing to serve on the Planning Commission. They are as follows: 1 . Andy Brixius 2. Marge Lesnick 3. Robin Hanson 4. John Schuh 5. Dan Schmitz 6. Jim Read The Commission read through the resumes and felt that any one of the candidates would be an asset to the City. Since only two candidates could be recommended for appointment, the COI111TIi s s ion chose to cast secret ballots for nomination. After the ballots were tabulated, Nierengarten made a motion to r econm1end the appointment of rV1arge Lesnick and Andy Brixius as Planning Commissioners. The motion was seconded by Kalinowski. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Hiemenz, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Reber, Schneider. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0 Minutes: Kalinowski made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected, seconded by Nierengarten. Ayes: Klein, Kalilìowski~ Hiemenz~ Sniezek~ Nierengarten~ Reber~ Schneider. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0 Ad j 0 ill'-1}.l. C h air Klein adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m. 2 Cþdy µ)~ Page Judy Heyrens Deputy Clerk