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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [06] Jun 04 I Qlficial Minutes - Planning Commission Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission met in regular session on Monday, June 4, 200 I at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Jim Graeve, Gary Utsch, Marge Lesnick, Kurt Schneider, Mike Deutz and AI Rassier. Others Present: Ted Schmid, Larry Hosch, Renee Zirbes and Chad Carlson Approval of Aeenda: Kalinowski moved to approve the agenda; Seconded by Lesnick. Discussion: Utsch requested that the Planning Commission add the following items to the agenda: 1) Renee Zirbes - Lot split 2) PC recommendation to the City Council - Affordable Housing Ordinance The motion passed, with the additions to the agenda, unanimously by those present. Northland Addition - Phase Five Final Plat: Carlson presented the final plat for Northland Phase Five. Ted Schmid stated that the details ofthe plat have been discussed since September of2000 and nothing has changed since the Preliminary Plat presented last month. Lesnick stated her opposition to the small lots and added that the lot dimensions have changed since the approval of the Preliminary Plat. Lesnick referenced Lots 9 though 15, Block 2. Carlson stated that the Final Plat includes a legend, which describes the lot dimension in detail. Carlson requested the Commissioner to carefully review each lot and add dimensions together. The Planning Commission will find no I change in the lot dimensions ftom the Preliminary Plat. Carlson further added that it is common for a surveyor to use a legend and the Planning Commission has seen the use of a legend with previous plats. Kalinowski questioned Commissioner Rassier if the City Council considered the renaming of Fir Street within the Northland Development. Rassier stated that since the Planning Commission meeting, many residents on Fir Street have expressed opposition to changing the street name. The change in address would impact residents greatly and the City Council does not support the change. Schneider understood the concerns ofthe residents, but questioned the Planning Commissions intent of the change. If emergency services are having trouble locating the street, the Planning Commission needs to consider a change. The City should be concerned with the safety of the residents. Rassier stated that the Police Department was not concerned with the name Fir Street. Utsch questioned if the development will have sidewalks along Northland Drive and will the Developer's Agreement specify the location. Rassier added that the residents of Northland Addition have expressed the need for a connection ftom the development to and across Highway 75. Rassier suggested the west side of Northland Drive and Northland Park. Schmid stated that constructing sidewalks was never discussed over the past 6 months of planning this development. Northland Drive was constructed in accordance with the St. Joseph Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan with eight-foot shoulders. To incorporate sidewalks into Northland Five would not serve any purpose since previous phases don't have sidewalks. Deutz agreed that the Planning Commission is too late to require sidewalks for this development. Many homes are built between this development and previous phases. Northland Drive was designed to accommodate bicycle traffic. I Deutz made a motion to recommend the Oty Council ,approve t~ Final Plat for Northland Plat Five as presented provided the City Council discuss ,~,option of inclu@tg sidewalks in future developments; Seconded by Graeve. The motion passed un~niJA~usly by t~ose.)[esent ,_,,0_,._;. _.,"\.. .. June 4, 2001 Minutes Schmid added that he would be attending the next Park Board meeting to discuss the details of the fence on the east side of Northland Park. I Meetine: Grounds - Accessory Buildine: John Smith, Meeting Grounds owner, addressed the Planning Commission regarding the construction of an accessory building on the north side the building. The accessory building will not be attached to the existing building and will be loc.ated in the northe~st comer of the lot adjacent to his and the Pfannenstein building. Smith provided the Planning Commission with a copy of a letter signed by Harvey pfannenstein approving of the project. Smith further added that no parking would be affected by the project. Rassier expressed concern with the location of the electrical meter on the existing building and the ice building up in this area. Smith stated that they are going to look at relocating the electrical box when the building is re-roofed this summer. Deutz stated that the Planning Commission changed the size allowed for an accessory building and how will the new ordinance impact this project. Carlson stated that the Ordinance addresses the allowable lot coverage with accessory buildings in a Residential District (R-I) and the requirement does not impact the General Business District Lesnick made a motion to approve the site plan as presented by John Smith, Meeting Grounds, for the construction of an accessory building; Seconded by Kalinowski. The motion passed unanimously by those present. St. Joseph American Leeion Expansion Jerry Frieler, representing the St. Joseph American Legion, presented the Planning Commission with a sketch design of an expansion project. The expansion is needed to cater more to banquet and wedding functions. The proposal is to increase the seating ofthe facility by 300. Frieler added that the Legion Board was under the assumption that parking would not be an issue due to comments made by past City Council members. Frieler stated that the building I committee met with City staff and it was detennined that the Legion needed 108 parking spaces. Frieler stated that the proposal has 24 parking spaces planned and asked if the Planning Commission would consider granting a variance of 84 parking stalls. Utsch stated that parking is a problem in the downtown are~ and would not like to see the problem get worse. Deutz added that past designs showed the Stueve building demolished and parking in this area. Frieler stated that many designs have been reviewed and none meet the parking requirements of the City. The Legion would have to purchase the entire bloc.k. Frieler questioned why the Legion couldn't use the streets like other businesses do in the community. Schneider stated that when the EI Paso and Sal's expanded their facilities, the Planning Commission was very strict with enforcing the parking codes. The Planning Commission would have to be concerned with the impacts to existing businesses downtown. Frieler stated that the Legion Board has considered many options, including moving the Legion Club out on 1-94. Graeve stated that he would like to keep the facility downtown and was willing to hear different options for expansion. Deutz questioned if the City or the EDA could assist the Legion in solving their construction problems with fmancing programs, such as TlF. Carlson stated that he has spoken with the Legion Board regarding financing options for the facility and additional property. Additional funding does not solve the parking problem. Rassier stated that the Legion needs to come forward with more then one option for the Planning Commission to consider. If the project comes closer to the 84 parking stalls needed, the City would look to the project in a different light. I June 4, 2001 Minutes I Frieler stated that the Legion Board is meeting tomorrow night and will vote on the options. Frieler does not believe any proposal will get significantly closer to the 84 parking spaces. Frieler added that he wanted to get a feeling ftom the Planning Commission and City Council regarding the parking problems. Utsch suggested the Planning Commission wait to hear a formal proposal on parking until the Legion Board has determined what option they will be pursuing. Graeve added that the Community does not want the facility to move ftom its current location. Graeve stated that the parking requirements seem too restrictive and would personally consider granting a larger variance to keep the facility downtown. Rassier concurred and stated that Legion needs to present more then one option and get closer to the parking requirements. Utsch made a motion to table the discussion until a formal proposal is submitted by the St. Joseph American Legion and until the Legion Board has voted on expansion options; Seconded by Rassier. The motion passed unanimously by those present Zirbes Lot Split Renee Zirbes, owner of a group home facility in St. Joseph, approached the Planning Commission regarding her lot and the option of splitting the parcel for an additional group home facility. The current facility is located to close to the lot line as required by Ordinance. The lot split will create two lots that conform to the R-1 District requirements. Carlson stated that the Planning Commission would not discuss the use ofthe property until the lot split is completed. The lot split requires action ftom the City Council. Carlson further added that the owner will have to proceed with a Variance to construct another group home facility within 1,300 feet of a similar facility. I Zirbes stated that she wanted to inform the Planning Commission of her intentions. Utsch stated that she must obtain the lot split approval from the City Council prior to formally approaching the Planning Commission with a Variance request. Carlson informed Zirbes that the lot-split request could go before the City Council on June 28th. The Variance request could be heard by the Planning Commission August 6th. Zirbes stated that she may request the Planning Commission to hold a special meeting earlier then August. Affordable Housine - Draffin!! Committee Report Utsch reported on the progress of the zoning ordinance drafting committee. Utsch requested that the Planning Commission review the discussion of the joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting held May 22nd. The City Council and the Planning Commission came to consensus regarding issues with the current zoning proposal. Utsch stated the following issues need to be address prior to the City adopting the Ordinance: 1) Proposed financing options 2) Five City Panel an their authority 3) Administration costs for cities 4) Payment in-lieu of 15% creation of affordable housing 5) Mandating every development include affordable housing 6) , Mandating the integration of affordable and market rate units 7) Re-sa1e provisions as proposed. The issues stated will be forwarded to the City Council. The City Council will then formally submit recommendations to the Drafting Committee on behalf of the City of St. Joseph. I Deutz stated that the meeting in St. Cloud was very well attended by builders and developers. The CMBA is extremely ftustrated with the entire proposal and the CMBA will not support the effort. Utsch stated that he also attended the same meeting and was concerned with the committee's communication with the CMBA. Utsch, however, added that he was ftustrated that the committee was attacked for their efforts without June 4, 2001 Minutes the CMBA offering any reçommendations. CMBA will be providing a counter proposal before the next committee I meeting. Deutz questioned why the Planning Commission is discussing this issue since it is not on the agenda. He was not prepared for a discussion and questioned if the EDA Direçtor has given a copy of his letter to the Planning Commission members. The EDA Director has raised many valid concerns. The Planning Commission should have more time to review and the issue should be an agenda item. The EDA Director srunmarized his concerns stated in the letter. Utsch stated that the Drafting Committee has many issues to work on prior to presenting a draft for the communities to adopt. The time line to adopt an ordinance is extremely aggressive and doesn't appear it will be met. The biggest concern is the fmancial end of the ordinance for the Cities and potential homeowners. Utsch will keep the Planning Commission up to speed with the process and the next steps. Commissioner Announcements Rassier announced a joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting has been scheduled for June 11th. Lesnick complemented Tom Borresch and his efforts to remodel his building on Highway #75. Schneider requested the City Staff question the following items: 1) Can the City control the construction offences and storage shed adjacent to city parks. 2) Can the City make new homeowners landscape their lots within a certain time fÌame. Carlson stated that he is unaware of any ordinances that control either items mentioned by Schneider. Construction of fences and accessory buildings can occur as long as they meet the requirements of an R-l District. A developer of a subdivision should be enforcing covenants within the development, which should have landscape provisions. Utsch requested information regarding the City's restrictions regarding piles offill being left within development I areas and if the City can require their removal. Utsch distributed copies of the Orderly Annexation Map and requested the Planning Commission members to review the map and suggest land use patterns. The City will be hiring a planning consultant to assist in developing a new comprehensive plan for the community. The Planning Commission needs to have ideas for the future growth of the community. Utsch suggested Carlson contact the City Administrator and request a Planning Commission member become part of the interview committee. Lesnick questioned the development progress of the Industrial Park. Carlson stated lots in the Rennie Addition of the St. Joseph Industrial Park are sold. Approval Minutes: Kalinowski made a motion to approye the May 7, 2001 meeting minutes as presented; Seconded by Lesnick. The motion passed unanimously by those present. Adjourn ~gàdjoUmed by con'ensu, at 9:05p.m. ¿2;,~¿M~ Chad A. Carlson Secretary I June 4,2001 Mimstçs.