HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 [09] Sep 13September 13, 1993
Pursuant to due call and notice the
St. Joseph met in regular session on
p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Planning Commission for the City of
Monday, September 13, 1993 at 7:"s0
Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners S. Kathleen
Kalinowski, Linda Sniezek, Marge Lesnick, Dan Nierengarten, Andy
Brixius. Kurt Schnieder. Council Liaison Ken Hiemenz. Secretary Judy
Weyrens.
Others Present: Stephanie Hazen, Ron Klein, Daryl Counter, Claude
Menzhuber, Mary Kaye Nordmann, Kevin Nordmann, Mike Deutz.
Public Hearing = Daryl Counter: Chair Klein called the hearing to
order at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a request
for variance. An existing 24' x 24' (576 square feet) accessory
building is located on the property. The property owner is requesting
to locate an additional accessory building of up to 24' by 40' (960
square feet). He is requesting a 636 variance on the maximum area
allowed for accessory buildings, and a 491 variance is being sought on
the maximum lot coverage allowed.
Daryl Counter spoke on his own behalf. Mr. Counter stated that he is
requesting a variance to construct an additional garage so that he can
store his personal belongs inside. He also stated that he has
experienced some vandalism and feels that he needs to find an
alternative means of storing his belongings.
Commissioner Kalinowski questioned Mr. Counter as to why he feels he
should be granted a variance, and what circumstances make his situation
unique to other residents.
Mr. Counter responded that he feels his lot is larger than most
residents, and he needs the space because of vandalism problems.
Commissioner Brixius stated that most residents near Mr. Counter have
the same size lot, and did not feel that the lot size was unusual or
unique in nature.
Ron Klein. stated that he lives near Mr. Counter and does not
disapprove of his plans.
St. Joseph Code of Ordinances No. 52.16 subd 4(e)[i] & [ii] states that
accessory buildings cannot exceed 900 square feet. In addition,
property owners can erect an additional storage shed not to exceed 120
square feet. The Commission discussed the effect of the neighborhood
by allowing Mr. Counter to add an additional garage and a storage
shed. All Commissioners agreed that aesthetically, it would make a
better decision to allow Mr. Counter to construct a larger garage,
attaching the allowed storage shed square footage to his proposed
garage. The Commission determined that under this interpretation of
the Ordinance, Mr. Counter could construct a garage not to exceed 22' x
20'.
Brixius made a motion recommending Council approval of a variance of
St. Joseph Code of Ordinances No. 52.16 subd 4(e)[i] & [ii], allowing
September 13, 1993
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the property owner to combine the footage as follows:
a. maximum square footage of 900 square feet for an accessory
building
PLUS
b. the square footage for an accessory building, of 120 square
feet.
The property owner can build an additional storage shed not to exceed
22' x 20' (440) square feet. Additionally, no additional storage sheds
can be constructed on this property without further consideration of
the Planning Commission.
The motion was seconded by Kalinowski.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Schneider, Brixius,
Nierengarten, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None Motion Carried 9:0:0
The hearing was closed at 8:00 p.m.
Claude Menzhuber .::. Sign Request: Claude Menzhuber, owner of the El
Paso, appeared before the Commission to discuss the procedure for
erecting a new business sign. The existing sign will be removed. The
proposed sign has a surface size of 12' x 12' on each side, wi th two
sides. St. Joseph Code of Ordinances regulate business signs to a
maximum of 50' . The Commission determined that Mr. Menzhuber needs to
make application for a variance of two hundred and thirty eight (238)
square feet. Therefore the Commission scheduled a public hearing for
October 4, 1993 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the request.
Mary Kaye Nordmann.::. Rental Request: Ms. Nordmann appeared before the
Commission as requested, to discuss the living quarters above her
business, Grand Slam. The City has received a complaint that Ms.
Nordmann has converted the upstairs into a rental unit. This special
use permi t was issued August 3, 1992.
The Planning Commission, as supported by the City Council, issued a
special use permi t to allow Mary Kaye Nordmann to reside upstairs. The
special use further stated that when Ms. Nordmann ceased to reside In
the upper level, the special use became null and void.
Ms. Nordmann stated that she has moved and their are two individuals
residing upstairs temporarily. She also stated that she is not
receiving compensation for them living upstairs. The Commission
informed Ms. Nordmann that she is in violation of the City Ordinance,
and it would be advisable for her to vacate the property.
Additionally, Ms. Nordmann needs to make application for a special use
permi t to allow the upper level to operate as a rental unit. The
Commission scheduled the hearing for October 4, 1993 at 8:00 p.m.
The Commission requested the City Office check with legal counsel to
discuss the possible penalty for said violation of the st. Joseph Code
of Ordinances.
September 13, 1993
Mike Deutz - Advertising Sign: Due to an error In the interpretation of
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the St. Joseph Code of Ordinances, Mr. Deutz needs to make application
for a special use permit to allow the placement of an advertising sIgn
on the property he owns on the corner of \1i nnesota Street West and
First Avenue Northwest. The Conm1Í s s ion scheduled the hearing for
October 4, 1993 at 7:00 p.m.
Parking on Front Lawns: Corrunissioner Sniezek requested the Commission
consider amending the rental ordinance to include language that would
prohibit the parking of cars on front yards. The Ci ty Offices will
contact the League of Minnesota C it i es for the purpose of gathering
information as to how other Cities deal with this issue.
Mike Deutz - Housing Concern: ~"ike Deutz discussed with the Planning
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Commission the rental problems on Cedar Street East. Mr. Deutz stated
that he owns a rental house In front of the newly constructed apartment
complex, and is having trouble with students jumping the fence and
walking through his property. He stated that other property owners In
the same area have expressed similar concerns to this regard.
The Conmli s s i on discussed the fencing requirements for the apartments
and questioned whether addi tional fencing had been required. Since Mr.
Lambert encouraged the Conm1Í s s ion to contact him if any problems arose,
Commissioner Brixius felt that Mr. Lambert should be contacted and
invited to the next meeting to discuss the fencing requirement.
Approval QÍ Minutes - August 1 ~ August 23: Kalinowski made a motion to
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approve the minutes as presented for the August 2 and August 23, 1993
Planning Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Nierengarten.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Schneider, Brixius,
Nierengarten, Hiemenz.
Nayes: None Motion Carried 9:0:0
The meeting was adjourned at 9: 15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
9::Zr~~
Secretary of the Board