HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 [05] May 28
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May 28, 2003
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the St. Joseph City Council and Planning Commission met in
special session on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Citv Council Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Gary Utsch, AI Rassier, Ross Rieke,
Dale Wick. Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Plannina Commission Members Present: Chair Gary Utsch. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski,
Mike Deutz, Bob Loso, Jim Graeve. Absent: Marge Lesnick, Kurt Schneider.
City Representatives Present: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf, Public Works Director Dick Taufen.
Others Present: Rick Packer, Arcon Development
Hosch stated the purpose of the meeting is to review a proposed development south on County Road
121. The development includes the Heim and Bechtold properties. Weyrens presented the following
overview of the project:
· The subject property requested annexation in 2002 and both the City and Township have signed
the annexation agreement. The annexation will become final once the legal descriptions have i
been verified and County Road 121 is included in such.
· The developer has been meeting with the City Department Heads to present the proposed
development and discuss on development constraints. I
· The lift station which has been constructed on County Road 121 was designed to accommodate
the growth of the Heim and Bechtold property as well as the surrounding properties. In addition
water and sewer are available to be extended to service the same property. i
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Rick Packer spoke on his own behalf. He stated that he has purchased the Bechtold property and
anticipates closing on the Heim property shortly. Therefore he will be the fee owner for both parcels.
Packer presented those present with the following information: '
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Arcon Development is a large construction i utility company located in the Twin Cities area.
Annually Arcon constructs approximately 700 homes in the metropolitan area. In addition to I
developing in the metro area, Arcon is in the process of developing residential neighborhoods in
Rochester, Buffalo, Big Lake and Ramsey. i
The proposed development in St. Joseph contains approximately 600 acres and will involve the
construction of approximately 1000 single family units. I
Once the utilities are installed for the subject property it is anticipated that 100 to 125 homes Will
be constructed annually. '
It is anticipated that the project will take 7 to 10 years to be completed.:
Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2004
The City Council has already approved the AUAR environmental process and it should be
completed sometime late fall.
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The proposed development contains a large number of cul-de-sacs for two reasons. 1) In sofne
areas they are designed due to the topography and it is the best use of property, 2) Lots on cUI-
de-sacs are desirable to purchase and sell quickly. Packer stated that he has already been I
Informed by City Staff that the number of cul-de-sacs need to be limited and this matter will be
reviewed during the design stage. i
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The areas identified as open space will be a combination of park and common areas. During the
platting process the park areas will be identified. ,
The fioodplaln of the Sauk River has not been identified, but no homes will be constructed below
fiood levels. The flood level will be determined during the planning process.
The storm water holding areas will be a combination of man-made ponds and natural ponds.
Packer clarified that all storm water will be treated before discharging into a wetland area.
The type of recreation facilities such as ballfieids will be discussed during the planning process
and the Park Board will be consulted before the final plans area submitted for approval. !
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The following is a summary of questionsicomments regarding the proposed development.
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May 28, 2003
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· The City needs to identify the future road corridors and this development can accommodate a
connection to County Road 75. The City will need to determine if 12'h Avenue SE or 88th Avenue
is to be extended. Packer acknowledges that he may be required to improve Jade Road or I
provide financial assistance for roads that are needed as a direct result of the proposed
development.
· Discussion included a future interchange for Interstate 94 at Jade Road. MNDot is not allowing
any additional interchange construction for a two year period. Packer stated that his experience
with MNDot is they are reducing one access for each additional access they are granting.
· Affordable housing was discussed with Packer responding that he has not determined the market
values of the homes but he will adhere to any agreement the City has provided that all developers
are required to do the same. Packer further stated that he does not believe in artificially
increasing the prices of market value homes to subsidize affordable housing and will use an
alternative when building in St. Joseph.
· Discussion included the need to activate the committee looking at recruiting a high school to
construct a facility in St. Joseph. The committee will research expanding an existing school
district such as 742 and Roccori or starting a new school district.
Bettendorf discussed with those present the need to determine what transportation corridors are to be
preserved to efficiently and effectively move traffic. The Stearns County Highway transportation plan and
St. Cloud Area Planning Organization transportation plan are different for this area and the City needs to
determine how the future will best be served. The Stearns County plan indicates that 88th Avenue is to be
extended to County Road 121 while the APO plan indicates 12'h Avenue as the connector. It was the
consensus of those present to schedule a meeting with the City and St. Joseph Township to discuss the
proposed transportation plans and which plan is the best for the community of St. Joseph.
Adiourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:00 PM
Judy Weyrens
Administrator
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