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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 [08] Aug 01Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, August 1, 1994 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Linda Sniezek, Marge Lesnick, Dan Nierengarten, Andy Brixius, Kurt. Schneider. Council Liaison Ken Hiemenz. Secretary of the Commission Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Leanne Walsh, Michelle Lindell, Stanley Larson, Oda Larson, Kathy Scheil, Jean Dehler, Katie Dehler, Steve Dehler, Bob Wesely, Bud Reber, Bob Loso, Gary Heltemes, Jerry Hirschfeld, Howard Pierskalla, Joe Miller, Igor Lenzner, Mike Deutz, Joe Bettendorf . Public Hearina - Ordinance Amendment 52.13 subd 5(b): Chair Klein called the hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to allow citizen input on the proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance 52.13 subd 5(b). The Amendment will read as follows: Such parking lots shall be maintained in a useable condition with a hard surface consisting of concrete, bituminous pavement or paver stone and drained to dispose of surface water. The Planning Commission clarified to those present that the ordinance Amendment is necessary as the current Ordinance makes a provision for the use of properly treated crushed rock which is no longer available. Therefore, the Commission is updating the Ordinance inserting dust free materials that are available currently. The only change to the ordinance is substituting paver stone for crushed rock. Klein opened the hearing to those present. Steve Dehler questioned the need for the Ordinance Amendment and if the Planning Commission was reacting to a situation. Dehler also questioned how this would affect homeowners, if properties would be grandfathered in, and under what circumstances does a property owner loose their grandfather status. Additionally, Dehler feels that this Ordinance Amendment requires all residents to have dust free driveways/off street parking. Hiemenz stated that this Ordinance Amendment refers to parkinq lots, not driveways. The existing parking lots that are currently not dust free, or properties where action is currently not being discussed, would be grandfathered in. When the property owner of a grandfathered. parking lot makes application for a building permit, that owner would then be required to comply with the amended Ordinance. Commissioner Schneider concurred and stated that the Linnemann Inn does not fall under the grandfather status as the Planning Commission has been working with the owners of the Linnemann Inn prior to the Amendment. The parking lot was required as part of the building permit plan for the remodeling of the Linnemann Inn.. After considerable discussion, Kalinowski made a motion to recommend Council approval of the Amendment 5(b). The amendment will read as follows: Such parking lots shall be maintained with a hard surface consisting of concrete, paver stone designed to drain and dispose The motion was seconded by Nierengarten. to Ordinance 52.13 subd in a useable condition bituminous pavement or of surface water. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius, Schneider, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 8:0:0 The hearing was closed at 8:20 p.m. Stearns County HRA - Igor Lenzner: Igor Lenzner, legal counsel for Stearns County HRA, appeared before the Commission to discuss alternative site plans for the property on 10th Avenue SE. Mr. Lenzner stated that HRA would like to work with the City and the residents adjacent to the property to establish a plan that would be acceptable to all. Therefore, Stearns County HRA is requesting a special hearing for both a special use permit and a variance to construct multiple family dwellings. The new sites plans will have access on property owned by HRA, not the adjacent property owners. Additionally, sites plans will be submitted for both townhouse and duplex dwelling units. The Commission agreed to hold a special hearing on August 15, 1994 to consider this request. Jerry Hirschfeld - DBL Buildina Addition: Jerry Hirschfeld, owner of DBL Labs, appeared before the Planning Commission requesting authorization to make application for a building permit. Mr. Hirschfeld stated that DBL Labs is in need of additional space and would like to construct a building approximately 8,000 square feet. The building will be used for the poly-carbon processing, adding manufactoring capacity. The building plan includes additional parking spaces for the facility. Nierengarten made a motion authorizing DBL Labs to make application for a building permit. The building permit is to be contingent upon the approval of the Building Inspector and Fire Chief. The motion was seconded by Brixius . Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius,. Schneider, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 8:0:0 Joe Miller - Cold Storage Request: Joe Miller appeared before the Commission to discuss the possibility of constructing a 14 unit mini storage facility. The storage facility would be used for household storage and vehicles. The Commission agreed that mini storage units are not a permitted use in an area zoned General Business, but does fall under the category for a special use. The Commission informed Mr. Miller that he could make application for a special use permit, with the hearing being held on August 15, 1994. .Mike Deutz - Construction of a funeral chapel: Mike Deutz appeared before the Planning Commission to discuss the possible construction of a funeral chapel at 33 West Minnesota Street. The property currently contains a house which is rented for business and residential use. Mr. Deutz stated that he has been approached to sell the property. Before a purchase agreement can be signed, Mr. Deutz needs to clarify if the construction of a funeral chapel would be an acceptable use. Hiemenz stated that a funeral chapel is an acceptable use, but parking plans would need to be submitted with the plans. The Commission cannot make a decision without any drawings or plans. Mr. Deutz stated that he is not looking for approval at this time, but rather an indication if he should continue with the planning process. The Commission encouraged Mr. Deutz to proceed with his plans, but cautioned him that he would need to provide parking for the facility as established by City Ordinance. Additionally, the parking requirements are not fulfilled by using required parking stalls for an existing business. Joe Bettendorf - Northland III: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf appeared before the Commission to discuss the parkland requirements for Northland III. Mr. Bettendorf presented alternatives to draining the park, to assure a more useable area. Approval of Minutes: Kalinowski made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected; seconded by Sniezek. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius, Schneider, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 8:0:0 NEW BUSINESS Intersection at ColI ege Ave North and MN Street: The Pol ice Department requested that the Ci ty Counci I review the traffic problems at the intersection of College Avenue North and Minnesota Street East. A traffic problem is created when trucks are unloading at the local businesses. Even though the City changed the parking to a loading/unloading zone, the trucks hide the stop sign. The Police Chief is requesting the City consider placing an overhead red flashing light, which would be more visible. After discussion, Brixius made a motion to recommend the Council contact the agencies involved in the roadways, seeking their opinion and recommendations. The motion was seconded by Lesnick. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brix~us, Schneider, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 8:0:0 Intersection at Minnesota Street West and Second Avenue NW: -- Commissioners discussed the intersection at Minnesota Street West and Second Avenue NW, and the related traffic problems. Since the removal of the stop sign coming from County Road 2 , it has become difficult to gain access to Minnesota street/County Road 2. This problem is especially difficult in the morning hours. Hiemenz stated that it was his understanding that the removal of the stop sign was on a trial move, and was to be reviewed after six months. Schneider questioned if it would be more appropriate to place a four way stop at the college entrance on Minnesota street West. A majority of traffic trying to turn onto Minnesota street is comJ.ng out of the College entrance. By placing a stop sign at this entrance you would also slow traffic down as it comes into st. Joseph, and allow travelers on 2nd Avenue the opportunity to gain access more readily to Minnesota street. Sniezek made a motion to recommend the Council consider placing a four way stop at the College entrance on Minnesota street West. The motion was seconded by Hiemenz. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius, Schneider, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 8:0:0 Buildinq Permit Request - steve Dehler: steve Dehler requested the Planning Commission authorize him to make application for a building permit to construct a fire escape from the third level of the Linnemann Inn. The fire escape is a requirement of the state Fire Marshall. Lesnick made a motion authorizing steve Dehler to make application for a building permit; seconded by Kalinowski. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius, Schneider, Hiemenz. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 8:0:0 Adiourn: Lesnick made a motion to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.; seconded by Sniezek. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Sniezek, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius, Schneider, Hiemenz. Hayes: None. Motion Carried 8:0:0 ~dY ~~ Judy Weyrens Secretary of the Commission - -