HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 [02] Feb 16
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February 16, 1999
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Pursuant to due call and notice there.of, the Planning Commission and City Council for the City of
st. Joseph met jointly in special session on Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the City
Hall.
PlanninG Commission Members: Present - Chair Hub Klein. Commissioners, Kathleen
Kalinowski, Jim Graeve, Marge Lesnick, Gary Ulsch. Chad Carlson, Secretary. Absent - Kurt
Schnieder.
City Council Members: Present - Mayor Kenneth J. Hiemenz. Councilors Cory Ehlert, Mary
Niedenfuer, Bob Loso. Absent - Councilor Ken Twit.
Others Preserrt: Scott Johnson, NSP, Judy Weyrens
Mayor Hiemenz caUed the meeting to order to discuss site locations proposed by Northem State
Power Company (NSP) for a new substation to serve the City of St. Joseph.' The meeting was
intended for NSP to present information to the community prior to requesting a permit for
construction.
Scott Johnson, Assistant Real Estate Representative for NSP presented three possible locations
on the west end of St. Joseph for the construction of a 12.5 KV electrical substation. A new
substation is needed to meet the current and future demand for electlical power. The substation
(4KV) located behind Kay's Kitchen.no lang.er meets the needs of the community and primarily
serves the College of St. Benedict. The new substation will be slightly larger then the present
facility 10cate)l-ÍH1 C.oJlege.AY.enue.North. NSP js requestingjnpu11rom the community an the
proposed locations plior to obtaining land and permits. Johnson passed out a map detailing the
locations of~~hree silas:
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1) 110 North Birch Street
2) Immedi~ywest .of the Watab River..south of CSAH 1#75
3) Immediately east of the Watab River, south of CSAH #75
Johnson stated the three Jacatians are..close to existing transmission lines, which is a majorIactOI I
in determining where a substation is located. Growth of the area is also a factor in determining I
the location o1.a.new .5l1h",..Iinnßased on the infonnatïon.pI"P.""nl""..Johnson r"'1"""'''''.input
from the Planning Commission and City Council.
Niedenfuer questioned.if 1he siIe.near 1he.watab RiveIwould inl"rf"r" wilh Ih" realignment of ,
County Road #2. It was determined that the realignment of County Road #2 would be west of the'
proposed sites. Tbe Council f"qll""''''' Ih..tCarJson.provide Jabnsonwitbamap.detailing the I
proposed realignment of County Road #2. ;
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Discussion f9llowed.on 1he 7nnil1Q of.each oUhe-PfOposed sites. -Each site is .currently zoned II
residential (R-1) and the new substation would require a Special Use Permit as required in the St.,
JoseDh Code of Ordinances.
Niedenfuer and lesnick expressed concem that if the substation was to be located in a
residential aœa; .proper screening fOf.llOÍSe.and visibility.wouldJJeed 10 .addressed. Mayor
Hiemenz further stated that developed residential areas should be avoided to eliminate concerns
in the future. J.beMayorJwlber.stated that.open spaces.not.plannedJor If!,,;d,,",i.. de.veIopment
should be NSP first consideration.
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Loso suggested that NSP consider the environmental impacts to the Watab River if the substation
is located in this area. Johnson assured the Plannil'l9 Commission and City Council that plior to
construction, NSP engineers would complete an environmental impact statement as required by
federal and stateJaw.
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February 16, 1999
The Planning Commission .and City CQunciU:ame to consensus that none of the sites~mposed
by NSP are suitable and encouraged the investigation of other locations.
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Discussion continued on alte.rnative$iteslorlhe ""h<:t"tion-Pfoposed by NSP.
Ehlert suggested that NSP investigate different locations that may better suit the community and
NSP. Three sites were proposed:
1) City owned property near the City Maintenance Shops
2) HinnenkaJDPPsoperty
3) Near Kings Express Motor Company, west CSAH 75
Each altemate site was discussed in.detail .Johnson stated that he would present the information
discussed tonight and the proposed altematives to NSP Offidals this weEik. Johnson stated the
new substatipn would be .cnn<:tm"'ed ""mAtimA .ín2000BIJd p'''nning wiD cootinue throughout the
year. NSP will be in contact with the City if additional information or another meeting is needed.
Adioum: Meeting adjoumed by all present, 7:45 p.m.
4¿4U-
Planning Commission Secretary
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