HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 [08] Aug 06
171
ST. JOSEPH PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
August 6, 1979
Members Present: Chairman Ben Kremer, Virgil Lodermeier, Tom Nahan, Art
Budde, Hub Klein, Phil Durkee, Mike Husen (Council Representative).
Visitors: Bill Pritchard, Ed Delaney, Hugo Weyrens, Wynn Summer Hjermstad,
A.P.O.
Mr. Bill Pritchard from Reinhert Homes Inc., and Ed Delaney from Traynor,
Hermanson and Hahn Architects, Inc. , presented the Site Plan of Cloverdale
Townhouses for Cloverdale Properties and asked for approval of an alteration
of the site plan that concerned the spacing between buildings in the south-
east portion of the property. City ordinance designates that the side
spacing or side yard be not less than the sum of the average height of the
structures. This would be 42 feet in this instance. However, the new site
plan designates 32 feet. Mr. Pritchard and Delany were asked to consult
with the fire chief concerning the adequacy of space for fire-fighting pur-
poses and the City Attorney concerning whether a special permit would by
required.
In reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, Wynn conveyed some comments by Tom
Jovanovich, the City Attorney: Should specific questions be addressed, such
as- How much growth should be allowed in St. Joseph? What should the maxi-
mum population of St. Joseph be? In which direction should growth be
planned? Should a larger sewage system and treatment plant be planned?
Should a larger sewage system and treatment plant be planned? If so, how
would it be payed for? The Planning Commission felt that the consideration
of such specific questions was not the purpose of a Comprehensive Plan, and
that the function of the Commission was to monitor orderly growth under the
goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
Further discussion of the Comprehensive Plan dealt with the development of
the commercial sector. Pros and cons for developing a downtown commercial
area were stated:
Pros: Avoids "commercial strips" along major arterials; avoids shopping
centers on edge of town; downtown area is located between streets
of greatest traffic flow; downtown area is centrally located for citizens
and near the College for student convenience; down town location would
minimize energy used by citizens for transportation to shopping area.
Cons: A downtown location is not as appealing to a commercial builder
or developer as a location without buildings on the outer limits of town
because of additional expense in demolition of existing houses, higher
land costs, buying land from more than one land owner, and additional
legal matters to be processed. The concensus of the commission remained
in favor of downtown commercial development.
The subsequent question was raised - What is the best land use of the Roske
property if commercial development is precluded? Wynn stated that a city
planner would probably see multiple-family dwellings as the best use.
Likewise, the best use of present undeveloped property north of and along
CSAH 75 which is zoned commercial would probably be multiple-family dwellings.
In considering long-range development south-east of St. Joseph, Wynn expressed
the usefulness of specifying the street locations and the location of mini-
parks or tot parks.
Respectfully submitted,
Phil Durkee
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