HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 [06] Jun 03
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission
for the City of st. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, June I
3, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. in the st. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners S. Kathleen
Kalinowski, Marge Lesnick, Dan Nierengarten, Andy Brixius, Kurt
Schneider. Secretary Judy Weyrens.
others Present: Jim Schwegel, Claude Menzhuber, Torn Gustafson, Val
Stanger, Dale Greiger, Gary Heltemes, Merlyn Jerzak, Peter Omann.
The hearing was delayed due to the lack of a quorum.
Schneider and Brixius arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Special Use Hearing - Silver Motors: Chair Klein called the hearing
to order at 7:45 p.m. The purpose of the hearing was to consider
a special use permit to allow the operation of a mechanical car
repair business in a general business zone.
st. Joseph Code of Ordinances No. 52.20 subd 3(b) allows for the
following operations in a general business district with a special
use permit. Automobile service stations including sales gasoline
service stations and auto repair garages, provided that no filling
station, public garage or gasoline distributing station shall be
located within 200 feet of a school, church, hospital or meeting
place having a seating capacity of more than 50 persons.
The request for special use has been submitted by the William Loso I
Trust on behalf of Silver Motors, 110 Birch Street West, st.
Joseph, MN 56374.
Torn Gustafson spoke on his own behalf. He stated that he owns
Silver Motors and is renting the Loso property for a mechanical
repair business. Most of the work is refurbishing cars/buses and
they are then sold. He also stated that he would construct a
fence around the property.
Chair Klein stated that the st. Joseph Code of Ordinances allow for
repair garages in a general business zone by special use if they
are not located within 200 feet of a school, church, hospital or
meeting place having a seating capacity of more than 50 persons.
Commissioners discussed the definition of a meeting place and
requested legal opinion before further consideration.
Claude Menzhuber, owner of the EI Paso (adjacent to proposed
special use), stated that the property has never been kept so clean
and he is supportive of the mechanical repair business.
Jim Schwegel, owner of the Der Wohnplatz apartment complex, spoke
in opposition of the special use permit. He stated that all the
cars parked in the rear of the building are unsightly and his
tenants should not have to look at it day after day. He has spent I
much time and money repairing and upgrading his apartment complex
and does not want junk cars stored in his backyard. Schwegel also
_ questioned the installation of a fence and what that would do to
traffic visibility and snowmobiling. The alley adjacent to the
Loso property is part of the state snowmobile track.
Gustafson stated that he would fence what the st. Josevh Code of
Ordinances allow and will make sure the fence does not become a
traffic hazard. He stated that he plans to keep a very neat
business and will deal with any problems that arise.
Chair Klein closed the hearing at 8:07 p.m.
Nierengarten made a motion to table the special use request to the
July 1, 1996 Planning Commission meeting so that a legal opinion
can be made as to the definition of a meeting place. Additionally,
Mr. Gustafson should present a fencing plan, approved by the
Building Inspector to the Commission at the same meeting. The
motion was seconded by Kalinowski.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius,
Schneider
Nayes: None Motion Carried 6:0:0
College of st. Benedict - 306 Minnesota street West: Merlyn
Jerzak, Physical Plant Director, appeared before the Commission to
discuss the property located at 306 MN Street West. In the past
the College has rented the property for student living. During the
past year the house has been converted to the Multi-cultural Office
housing a full time director and 2 part time staff.
The property is zoned R-1, Single Family. As such, an office that
is not a home occupation is not a permitted use under the st.
Joseph Code of Ordinances. commissioners informed Jerzak that the
options to continue the use would be either a special use permit or
rezone the property E & E. After discussion, commissioners
requested Weyrens to consult with the city Attorney as to his
recommendations and schedule the hearing for July 1, 1996.
Building Permit Request - Peter Omann: Peter Omann appeared before
the Commission requesting authorization to make application for a
building permit for Omann Insurance. Omann stated that they have
purchased property adjacent to the Cedar East Office complex and
plan to construct an office building. The building will house two
office suites and will be constructed of brick. After reviewing
setback and parking requirements, Lesnick made a motion authorizing
Omann Insurance to make application for a building permit to
construct on office building. The motion was seconded by Brixius.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius,
Schneider
Nayes: None Motion Carried 6:0:0
Minutes: Kalinowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the -
May 6, 1996 Planning Commission as presented; seconded by Lesnick.
Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Nierengarten, Brixius,
Schneider
Nayes: None Motion Carried 6:0:0
OTHER BUSINESS
Parking Requirements: Klein discussed the parking of cars in front
lawns of rental units. commissioners requested Weyrens place this
item on the next agenda and receive information from the League of
Minnesota Cities as to how other cities control this matter.
Rental Properties: commissioners discussed the amount of garbage
at the rental properties. They encouraged the enforcement of the
Ordinance, with updating and a more restrictive Ordinance if
necessary.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:23 p.m.
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retary of the Commission