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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 [07] Jul 01 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission - for the City of st. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, July 1, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. in the st. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinwoski, Marge Lesnick, Linda Sniezek, Dan Nierengarten, Kurt Schneider. Council Liaison Cory Ehlert. Secretary Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Tom Gustafson, Dale Grieger, Steve Dehler, Merl Jerzak. Silver Motors - Mechanical Repair Business: As requested by the Commission, Weyrens reported that she had contacted the City Attorney John Scherer with regards to the definition of a meeting area. It was his opinion that a meeting area is a place that is used for the sole purpose of conducting meetings. While the EI Paso may provide space for meetings, their primary purpose is a bar and restaurant. Ehlert questioned whether or not a fence would be constructed around the back portion of the property. Tom Gustafson, owner of Silver Motors, stated that his original plans included the construction of a fence for security purposes. However, after talking to the surrounding property owners the majority stated they would prefer that a fence not be constructed. Chair Klein stated that he is not in favor a fence since the property is located in the downtown area. However, if in the future the property becomes unsightly a fence may be required. After further discussion, Ehlert made a motion to recommend the City Council approve the Special Use Permit of Silver Motors to operate a mechanical repair business in a General Business area. Approval is based on the findings that it meets the criteria of a special use permit as stated in the st. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.8 subd 4 (a-k). Further, if the property becomes unsightly due to excess vehicles, vehicle parts, garbage, or debris, the property owner will be required to clean the property and install a fence surrounding the property. The motion was seconded by Nierengarten. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0 Special Use Hearing - College of st. Benedict: Chair Klein opened the hearing at 8:00 p.m. and stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider a special use permit to the conduct the following uses on property zoned R-l, Single Family: combination of office space, temporary housing, and meeting space for student use. st. Joseph Code of Ordinance No. 52.16 subd 3 allows for a special use permit for uses which in the judgement of the Planning commission and City Council are similar in nature to those listed in the R-l, single Family Zone. The property is located at 222 Minnesota street West and is owned by the College of st. Benedict. Merl Jerzak spoke on behalf of the College of st. Benedict. Jerzak stated the property will be an office area for the Multi-cultural Department consisting of 3 staff members. Jerzak also clarified that although special events will be held in the house, it will not be used to provide temporary housing as orginally planned. steve Dehler questioned if the Fire Marshall would be inspecting the property, and if not, why. Klein stated that the property has been inspected annually by the Rental Housing Inspector. st. Joseph does not inspect or license businesses, therefore the Fire Marshall will not be contacted. Further, the Linnemann Inn license fell into a different category since people would be sleeping in the building on multiple floors. Dehler questioned whether the basement would be used. Jerzak stated the basement is locked and not accessible since it does not have egress windows. Adjacent property owners, Herb and Winnie Dehler, could not attend the hearing but wished to convey the following: They are not opposed to the use of the property but wish to alert the College to parking and traffic concerns. At times the visibility from Dehler's driveway is obstructed by cars parked near and around the Multi-cultural House. Also, they wish to alert the College to use caution when exiting out their driveway onto Minnesota street West. As no one else wished to speak, the hearing was closed at 8:45 p.m. Sniezek made a motion to recommend the city Council approve the Special Use Permit of the College of st. Benedict to operate an office at 222 Minnesota Street West based on the following findings: st. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.16 subd 3 (j) allows for uses which in the judgement of the Planning commission and City Council are similar to those listed in this zoning district (R-l). The use requested is similar in nature to: 52.16 subd 3(b) Public or semi-public recreational buildings and community centers. FINDING: The proposed use, Multi-cultural House, will be hosting events and conducting meetings, functioning as a recreational and community center. 52.16 subd 3 (f) Public Schools, elementary or high, or private educational institutions having a curriculum equivalent to a public elementary or public high school and institutions of higher learning (accredited colleges and universities) providing, however, that the area and location of any school and off-street parking heretofore shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Commission. FINDING: The proposed use is connected to an educational institution and will function in the same capacity. Further, the Planning Commission finds that the request of the College of st. Benedict meets the criteria to allow a Special Use Permit as stated in the st. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.8 subd 4 (a-k). The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0 Student Issues: Commissioner Schneider questioned the recent gathering on College Avenue and inquired if the College was aware of the problems. Jerzak stated that the College is well aware of the problems and are working on alternative solutions. The issue has been discussed at the Mayor's Luncheon and a sub-committee, (Gar Kellom, Kathy Allen and John Scherer), has been established to try and find a solution. Jerzak stated that one of the things he has been working on is a letter that all students would receive which would highlight expected behaviors and City Policies. It is his intention to have the students sign this letter verifying they have read the policies and expected behaviors. Parking Issues: Weyrens reported that she had contacted the League of Minnesota cities with regard to parking of cars on front lawns and how other cities handle the situation. The League sent information stating that it is not clear as to what extent a city may regulate parking on private property. Therefore, they did not recommend imposing such restrictions. Application Form: Weyrens presented samples of application forms for applying for special use, variance and rezoning requests. The forms would be helpful to the Planning Commission as all the information for the requests would be presented in writing before the hearing is conducted. Some of the forms also include checklists for the Planning Commission. Weyrens will revise the forms for the Planning Commission to review at their next meeting. Minutes - June 3, 1996: Kalinowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 3, 1996 Planning Commission meeting as presented; seconded by Ehlert. Discussion: Lesnick stated there is an error on page two of the minutes, the address of the Multi -cuI tural House is 222 Minnesota Street West, not 306 Minnesota Street West. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0 NEW BUSINESS Rental Issues: Ehlert discussed the possibility of sending a letter to all the rental license holders at the beginning of the calendar year stating their responsibilities. Specifically it should include lawn maintenance, garbage disposal, and general maintenance requirements. Northland: Ehlert questioned the status of the an additional access to the Northland Addition. He has been receiving requests for a second access into the development and they have already appeared before the Planning Commission requesting such. Weyrens stated that the Council has turned this matter over to the City Attorney for his review and recommendations. The Council has also discussed that before any additional phases are approved the developer will be required to provide an additional access. Mark Mimbach: Ehlert questioned the status of the vehicles parked on the property adjacent to CR 75 owned by Mark Mirnbach. Weyrens reported that the City does not have an Ordinance prohibiting the parking of vehicles on property. If the vehicles are not licensed or operating, the Police Department may be able to be of assistance. Ehlert will discuss the matter with the Police Chief. Telecommunications Conference: Sniezek reported that she attended a conference in st. Cloud on Telecommunications. The conference discussed the funding and programs available to small businesses. Adjourn: Lesnick made a motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.; seconded by Nierengarten. Ayes: Klein, Kalinowski, Lesnick, Sniezek, Nierengarten, Schneider, Ehlert. Nayes: None. Motion Carried 7:0:0 ~- c¡ ;J~ udy Weyrens ecretary of the Commission