Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 [11] Nov 30 Page 3813 November 30, 2000 City of St Joseph Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission 11130100, 7:30 PM 1. Call to Order. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph and the Planning Commission met on Monday November 30th, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sf. Joseph City Hall. I Members Present: Mayor Kenneth Hiemenz, Cory Ehlert, Ken Twit, Mary Niedenfuer, Bob Loso, Marge Lesnick, Gary Utsch, Hub Klein, Kurt Schnieder, Jim Graeve, EDA Director Chad Carlson, Clerk-Administrator Cari Schmidt, and Deputy Cieri<. Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Larry Hosch, Ellen Wahlstrom, Kyle Schneider, AI Rassier, Rick Heid, Bob Herges, Greg Stroeing 2. Pondview Ridae Six Final Plat - Mayor Hiemenz stated that this meeting was called by the Planning Commission after their last meeting where they tabled their discussion about Pondview Ridge Final Plat. Hiemenz stated he understands the main issue is whether there should be two lots or three lots on the comer property on Minnesota Street and 12'h Avenue. Hub Klein stated that there are other issues too that he hopes can be discussed tonight. He stated that the whole plat has been changed. They aren't showing the same area as they were on the last plat they that brought forward. Greg Stroeing stated that what the Council and Planning Commission are looking at is only the first phase of Pondview Six. They will be bringing it in phases much like the fIVe phases of Northland Addition. Stroeing added that the Steams County Auditor prefers it this way. It makes it easier for the tax records. I Loso asked why not just name it Phase one of Pondview Six. Stroeing stated that normally large pieces like this are not platted all at once. All of the phases, however, will come before the Council and Planning Commission for approval. Marge Lesnick asked if the legal description in the comer was for the whole plat or just for the first phase. She also wanted to know why it didn't say Pondview Six in the legal description. Stroejng explained that it won't say Pondview Six because the property adjacent to Pondview Ridge Six actually describes the legal description of Pondview Ridge Six. . That is why Pondview Ridge Five is part of the legal. Loso stated that the real reason that they are meeting tonight is to discuss the three lots versus 2 lots on that comer property. ! Stroeing explained that when they bought it from Kostreba, there were three service lines put in during Pondview Ridge 5. There was the understanding at that time that there would be three lots on that property. However, they came up short on width when all three lots face 12'h Avenue and thus would require a variance for that plan. As a result, they have come up with an alternative plan that meets all the ordinance requirèments. This plan would have two of the lots facing Minnesota Street and one facing 12th. . Gary Utsch stated that the Planning Commission called this meeting to let the Council know how they feel on this issue. .When the preliminary plat came in, they had an argument at that time that there should only be two lots. They were told that they just wanted to get the layout approved and that the Planning Commission would have another chance to resolve this issue when the final plat comes forward. The Planning Commission believes that there should only be two houses on that lot, Qne thatfaces 12'" and one that faces Minnesota Street. Three houses on that lot would be a safety issue. They don't want another driveway onto Minnesota Street and if there are three driveways onto 12'h they will be too close tQ the comer. I I I I Loso stated that it may not be a safety issue now, but that it will be in the future. Connecting 12'" Avenue and Highway 75 wilt create additional traffic volume in this area. Page 3814 Novernber30,2000 Utsch stated that there was a lot of discussion and speculation on this issue in the past. Nothing was ever guaranteed to anyone about whether there would be three lots. Hiemenz added that the utility trade off with Kostreba was supposed to take care of this issue. However, the paperwork was never filled out on it. The City then had to pay him for the right otway. They never guaranteed him a lot split for three lots however. It all depended on the future development ofthe area. Hiemenz added that the new APO maps show 12'" Avenue in 2025 connected to an Arterial road to carry a large amount o~traffic South. Stroeing stated that the alternate plan that they are proposing meets all of the ordinances. There would be two driveways onto 12'h Avenue and one onto Minnesota Street. There would be no grounds on which this plan could be denied. Utch stated that they could deny it based on the addition of a driveway. Stroeing stated that they are not adding a driveway to Minnesota Street. They are merely removing the one that's there and replacing it with one that is safer because it is farther from the comer. i Bob Herges added that the two driveways onto 12'h Avenue would be a~ far away from the comer as possible, so as to minimize any safety concerns. The driveway would be put as far south as possible to create a greater distance from the intersection. Klein stated again that there should only be one driveway on 12th Avenue and one on Minnesota Street. Hiemenz stated that the new alternative meets all of the square footage requirements. I Graeve added that the driveway needs to be 300 feet away trom the comer to meet the County regulations. Car1son stated that there is no 300' requirement and that 12'" Avenue is a City street, not regulated by the County. The County will only comment on Minnesota street. Herges stated that all ofthe services are stubbed off of 12'" Avenue so they will have to extend a line across someone's yard and create an easement. This is workable, but problematic. The original layout with all three properties facing 12'" Avenue works the best. Hiemenz stated that the letter from Joe Bettendorf dated July 30, 1996 states that there was an additional water and sewer service line on Minnesota street that was 'put in just in case there was a north south split. Stroeing asked if that was actually put in, because it wasn1 on the maps they had. That would eliminate the need for the easement. Klein stated that the driveway would only be 6" from the sidewalk on the east side. Herges said no it would be more, as they are moving it all the way to the end. Klein stated again that it should be two lots as this doesn't meet the requirements for the lot. Carlson disagreed stated that it falls into the requirements on page 186 for lots that are not rectangular in size. This second plan does meet all ofthe requirements. I I Twit asked what size house is going on each lot. Herges explained that 'they will be putting patio homes there just like the ones on 12'" Avenue now. They will be 1,100-1,200 square feet. I Niedenfuer asked if they will provide a final drawing of the driveway locations? Herges said they sure can. Kurt Schneider stated that these smaller homes may help the City in its àffordable housing efforts. Hiemenz said that the City hasn't approved any final plan for affordable housing yet. I Page 3815 November 30, 2000 Loso stated that he would still like to hear a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Klein slated that their recommendation is two houses. Twit stated that isn't an option as it seems that they can get three lots there and meet all of the requirements. Niedenfuer stated that she understands Klein's concerns and pointed out that with the first option with the variance, there is actually more space between his property and the next house. The first option might also look much better as the houses along 12th Avenue are all the same style. Having them all face 12th might help maintain the appearance ofthe homes along Minnesota Street. Twit stated that in the first scenario there is actually a larger buffer zone between Klein's home and the others. I Carlson stated that John Scherer looked at this and Joe Bettendorf approved the first plan. They both agreed that the original plan works with an variance issued. Utsch stated that it is his understanding that there are really only two options and that having two lots on the prop,erty isn't one of them. They can either grantthe variance and have all of the homes face 12 h or they can come in with their second plan and me,et all of the requirements with one driveway on to Minnesota Street. Hiemenz statled that is correct. Utsch stated that he would like the Planning Commission to wait to make a recommendation until Monday night after they have had a chance to discuss the two options. The rest of the Planning Commission agreed. Ellen Wahlstrom asked to address the Council. She stated that she has been in touch with the County and the plat that they submitted to the County is very different from what has been submitted to the Council tonight. She suggested that the CitY tall( to the County about it. There are some serious issues with the wetland delineation that need to be worked out. She stated that the individual at the County is new. Graeve suggested that it's possible that the paper trail has not caught up with this individual yet, but maybe not. Carlson added that he has been in touch with environmental services and everything is fine. Hiemenz suggested that Wahlstrom ask someone from the County to address the Planning Commission on Monday night. The Planning Commission and Wahlstrom agreed. I The Mayor asked if there was any more business for the Council and Planning Commission. Klein asked what had happened to the City cat Qrdinance. Hiemenz explained that the ordinance is still on the books, but the Police can't enforce it. There is no place for them to take them when they pick them up as the St. Joseph Vet Clinic won't take them. Jim Graeve stated that he had been to a County Board meeting and said that they allow the audience members to participate in the meeting. He suggested that the CitY Council allow audience members to speak at the meetings. Kurt Schneider asked if the City was doing another housing study. He received a call from Admark Company asking about his rental housing. The questions they asked were very vague and he wonders how they can get any useful information for their survey results from what they asked. He may call them back to clarify his answers. Hiemenz stated that no, the City is not doing another surveyor housing study. 3. Judy Weyrens Contract Discussion - Weyrens presented the Council with an employment agreement thaLshe drew up. She explained that the provisions in the contract were taken from contracts from other administrators in the region. The annual salary she is requesting is $51,000. The Council advertised for the range for this position at $47,000 - $53,000. $51,000 is the mid range. Loso made a motion to approve the employment agreement as submitted by Weyrens. Niedenfuer seconded the motion. Hiemenz asked for clarification that any of the provisions not in the contract would fall subject to the Personnel policy. Weyrens stated that she could add something to that effect to the contract. Hiemenz also asked that a provision be put in that the increases would be subject to a favorable review. Niedenfuer stated that it seems like a pretty straightforward contract. Hiemenz called the question and the motion passed unanimously. Weyrens stated that there are some duties that she would I Page 3816 November 30, 2000 I like to keep in this position. She has spoken with the Auditor and they are going to work on a way to allow her to do that. She stated that she would jike some time before they actually hire a new person. The Council agreed. Hosch stated that in the meantime, he is available to help out in the CitY office during the three months he will be off work. 4. Adjourn - Loso made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 PM, seconded by Niedenfuer. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted carG¿~ ~ Clerk/Administrator City of St. Joseph I I