HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 [12] Dec 10
I
I
I
i
December 10, 2002
Page 1 of 5
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council and Pianning Commission for the City of SI.
Joseph met in joint session on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the SI. Joseph City Hall.
City Council Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, Kyle Schneider,
AI Rassier. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. 1
Plan nino Commission Present: Chair Gary Utsch. Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Marge
Lesnick, Jim Graeve, and AI Rassier. Absent: Kurt Schneider and Mike Deutz. 1
SI. Joseph Economic Development Members Present: Chair Bruce Gohman. Members Larry HO$ch,
Bob Loso, Mike Deutz, Ross Rieke. I
I
Citv Representatives Present: Planning Consultants Cynthia Smith-Strack and Joanne Foust. I
I
Others Present: Robb Robinson, Kevin Kluessner, S. Kara Hennes, Dale Wick, Ann Reischl, Jeff Jensen,
Rick Packer, and Mike Slavik. ,I
Planning Commission Chair Gary Utsch and Mayor Hosch jointly opened the public hearing and stateq
the purpose of the hearing is to accept testimony on the revised Comprehensive Plan. Utsch turned the
floor over to Planning Consultants Cynthia Smith-Strack and Joanne Foust of Municipal Development i
Group (MDG).
Smith-Strack stated that MDG has been working with the Planning Commission for over six months and
have completed a proposed draft of the Comprehensive Plan. The process included visiting with I
members of the community, business meetings and community meetings. When the draft plan was
compieted, a copy was mailed to Stearns County, District 742 and SI. Joseph Township for review and
comment. As of this date Stearns County and SI. Joseph Township did not respond. Smith-Strack and
Foust presented the following summary of the Comprehensive Plan.
ChaDter 1 - Introduction
~ Purpose - intended to guide the future growth and development of the city.
ChaDter 2 - Community Characteristics and SettinQ
I
~ History _ The first immigrants, many of them German Catholics began arriving in the mid 1850~s.
I
~ Physical Profile - A topographical survey indicates SI. Joseph's terrain is generally flat and
conducive to urban development interspersed with areas of intrinsic value, including wetland
communities and tree stands.
ChaDter 3 - DemoaraDhics, Trends. and AssumDtions
~ Social Profile - The U.S. Census Bureau calculated a City of SI. Joseph population of 4,681 in 2000
with an average household size of 2.74. Age distribution statistic indicates a median age of 2.1.8
years and gender distribution of 68.3% female to 31.7% male. Household profile reports 408 'non-
family households (36.4%) and 712 family households (63.3%). I
~ Population Growth - Historical and Projections
~ Household Growth
~ Population and Household Projection Assumptions
~ Population Characteristics
~ Employment Characteristics
I
ChaDter 4 - Land Use i
~ Purpose _ To maintain and promote cost effective and orderty devel~pment and (re)development
patterns throughout the City, to maintain and enhance the quality of life within the City, and td
prevent and eliminate blight and resist deterioration of the developed areas of the City.
December 10,2002
Page 2 of 5
ChaDter 5 - Housina I
~ Introduction - Detailed description of the housing related issues facing the City of SI. Joseph.
~ Housing Issues - Life cycle housing variety; population characteristics/growth; housing affordability
- defined; demand for affordable housing in SI. Joseph; affordable housing supply - City of St.
Joseph; owner-occupied housing supply: and rental unit supply; housing supply vs. demand.
ChaDter 6 - TransDortation
~ Introduction - Provides a discussion of various transportation system components within the City of
SI. Joseph.
ChaDter 7 - Public Utilities: Wastewater (Sewer)
~ Introduction - Review existing facilities, review proposed facilities, and provide recommendations
for future use of the sanitary sewer system.
ChaDter 8 - Public Utilities: Water
~ Introduction - Review existing facilities, review proposed facilities, and provide recommendations
for future use of the water system.
ChaDter 9 - MuniciDal Buildinas and Public Services
~ Introduction - The City of St. Joseph recognizes the importance of municipal and administrative
buildings; boards, commissions and agencies which serve the City in various capacities; and the
services provided by City officials, municipal employees and administrative personnel.
ChaDter 10 - Park and Recreation
~ Introduction - The City's residents and businesses identify parks, trails, and recreational facilities as
invaluable community resources that contribute positively to the quality of life offered in SI. Joseph. I
ChaDter 11 - Economic DeveloDment
~ Economic Development Overview - The principal components of this section include: an overview
of economic trends in 81. Joseph; public input on economic development; the impact of the college
and university on SI. Joseph's economy; historic preservation: technology available and its impact
on economic development; an overview of commercial development and goals for future
(re ¡development; and an overview of industrial development and polices and goals for future
(re)developmenl.
ChaDter 12 -lmDlementation
~ Introduction - St. Joseph's strengths consisted of the 'Small Town Atmosphere", location, natural
amenities and natural resources, parks and trails in the community, the influence and culture of the
college and monastery, historical attributes; and the existence of a downtown business area.
Ann Reischl of St. Joseph Township Clerk, approached the City Council and Planning Commission and
stated that the Board has not had an opportunity to review the Plan as she was unaware that only she
received a copy of the plan.
Reischl presented those present with a brief overview of the annexation agreement between the City and
Township of SI. Joseph. She stated that the first Orderly Annexation Agreement for the City of SI. Joseph
was entered into 1970. At that time, there was a lot of work and trust between the Township and City.
When the new Orderly Annexation Agreement was executed in 1997 it was not the intent of the Township
to provide a document that would allow the City to annex property without approval of the Township. The
OA Agreement provides for orderly growth and identifies areas where annexaUon is possible within a
specified period of time. The map illustrates three time zones for when annexation would be acceptable.
The time frames include: 0 - 5 years, 6 -10 years and 11 - 20 years. The Township policy allows for
annexation if the following three criteria can be met: 1) The City can provide "\later and sewer services; 2)
the property being annexed is contiguous to the City boundaries; 3) the property being annexed is
supported with a petition for detachment.
I
Reischl ciarified that it is her understanding that property not annexed within a specified time zone cannot
be annexed at the end of the time period without the property owner requesting such and the Township
releasing the property. Reischl further stated that some of the property outlined in the OA Agreement of
I
I
I
December 10, 2M2
Page 3 of 5
1970 has not yet been annexed and she expects that some of the property in the 0-5 time zone of the
current OA Agreement will not be annexed in the near future.
Jeff Jansen, St. Joseph Township Planning Commission Member, approached the City Council and
Planning Commission and stated that although he is a member of the SI. Joseph Township Planning ¡
Commission his comments at this time are not representative of the Township's opinion. Jansen that I
while reading the proposed Comprehensive Plan he could not identify a clear vision statement. Jensen
stated that he found the Plan to contain detailed information and statistics but not a vision for growth o~
development. He further stated that he found the document to be confusing when trying to tie all the I
information together. '
,
Jansen questioned the inclusion of allowing development on two acres of land. The City should be !
concerned about urban sprawl and should not have property in the City that is not serviced with water and
sewer. If property cannot be served with utilities it should remain in the Township.
Jansen also questioned the transportation plan section of the Plan. The plan included a possible
exchange at Interstate-94 and Jade Road. Jansen stated it is his opinion that the City has adequate
access to 1-94 and a second access is not needed.
Jansen stated in reviewing the future land use map included in the Comprehensive Plan, it appears as:
the City is encouraging commercial development on every major intersection including County Road 121
and County Road 2. Jansen cautioned the City in placing too much weight on commercial development.
He stated it is his opinion that the Council should plan what the residents of SI. Joseph want and
commercial development does not come without problems. Jansen questioned Smith-Strack as to the
amount of available industrial property within the City limits. Smith-Strack responded that the City has!
less than thirty acres of available land for Industrial Development. She further stated that the EDA haS
seen a large increase in potentiai business contacts and as of this date the EDA has responded to over
30 inquires, some of which are coming to fruition. 1
With regard to the transportation segment of the Plan, Smith-Strack stated that the City is not stating in
the Plan that an interchange will develop at Jade road. Rather it is included to consider for the future if
development continues to occur in the southern section of the City and Township. In reviewing the traffic
counts provided by the SI. Cloud Area Planning Organization, the traffic county per day on County Road
75 is 21,000 cars while the traffic count on 1-94 is 16,000 cars per day. The traffic counts will change as
County Road 2 is reconstructed and as development occurs at County Road 2 and 1-94. '
!
Kevin Kluesner approached the City Council and Planning Commission stating he has not had an
opportunity to view the Comprehensive Plan draft but commended the City for taking the time and
spending the resources to plan for the future. Kluesner stated that it is important for the Comprehensive
Plan to be representative of the needs of the residents of SI. Joseph and hopes that the proposed plan
meets that expectation.
i
,
Kluesner stated his concern relates to the Transportation Chapter and the need to work with other ¡
governmental agencies, specifically the SI. Cloud APO. Kluesner stated he is referring to the proposed
transportation plan of the APO whereby an eastlwest corridor is proposed through the SI. Benedict I
College and Monastery property. In his opinion planning a collector road through SI. Benedict's property
would be a mistake and encourages the City to reconsider the proposed corridor. 1
Weyrens stated before an east/west corridor is constructing, a transportation study must be ,
completed. This study will include identification of construction impediments such as wetlands and will
indicate alternative construction locations. Weyrens further stated the regulations for federal funding I
have changed recently and now municipalities may compete to fund transportations studies. The City will
be submitting a funding request to the APO to compete for federal funding for the transportation study for
aneast/west corridor. !
I , I
S. Kara of St. Benedict's Monastery questioned if approving the Comprehensive Plan ,including the I
transportation map, will determine the location of the east / west~rridor thereby not requiring the ,
transportation study. Hosch responded that adoption of the Comprehensive Map does not determine the
location of any future corridors and a transportation study will still be required. I
!
December 10, 2002
Page 4 of 5
There being no one further wishing to testify, the Public Hearing was closed at 8:05 p.m.
Utsch made a motion to adopt the PC Resolution 2002-_ recommending the Repeal of the 1997
City of St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan and the Replacing of it with the 2002 St. Joseph
Comprehensive Plan, a Compilation of Policy Statements, Goals, Standards and Maps for Guiding
the Physical, Social and Economic Development of the Municipality. The motion was seconded
by Rassier and passed unanimously by the Planning Commissioners present.
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2002-_
A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE REPEAL THE 1997 CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE REPLACING OF IT WITH THE 2002 ST. JOSEPH
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, A COMPILATION OF POLICY STATEMENTS, GOALS, STANDARDS AND
MAPS FOR GUIDING THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE
MUNICIPALITY AND ITS ENVIRONS.
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 462.355, Subd. 2; The SI. Joseph Planning
Commission may, recommend to the City Council the adoption and amendment from time to time of a
comprehensive municipal plan.
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of SI. Joseph with its Planning Agency, the SI. Joseph
Planning Commission, authorized the updating of its Comprehensive Plan in 2002; and,
WHEREAS, The proposed Comprehensive Plan is based on local and regional historical facts,
trends, and governmental planning standards; and,
WHEREAS, The proposed City of SI. Joseph Comprehensive Plan is a dynamic planning tool
intended to guide the future growth and development of the city; and,
WHEREAS, The attached document (Exhibit A) presents the Compre>hensive Plan for SI. Joseph,
Minnesota; reflective of a community planning process conducted in the year 2002 and involving elecled
officials, appointed officials, city staff, community organizations, the public at large, SI. Joseph Township
representatives, Stearns County representatives and others; and,
WHEREAS, Before adopting the comprehensive municipal plan or any section or amendment of
the pian, the planning agency shall hold at least one public hearing thereon; and,
WHEREAS, A notice of the time, place and purpose of a hearing on the proposed
Comprehensive Plan was published once in the official newspaper of the municipality at least ten days
before the day of the hearing with a copy of the notice posted for public viewing; and,
WHEREAS, A copy of the proposed Comprehensive Plan is on display at the City Offices for
public review; and,
WHEREAS, A joint public hearing by the SI. Joseph Planning Commission and the SI. Joseph
City Council was held in the manner described in the public notice; and,
WHEREAS, The proposed comprehensive plan may not be acted upon by the City Council until
it has received the recommendation of the Planning Commission; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Planning Commission of the City of SI. Joseph,
Minnesota hereby recommends the City Council the repeal of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan and
replacement of it with the 2002 Comprehensive Plan.
I
I
I
I
December 10, 2002
Page 5 of 5
i I
Discussion: The Comprehensive Plan will be revised to address the concerns of the TownshiA
regarding the allowance of two acre parcels and the maps will be corrected to include all the a~ea
in the OA Agreement. I
I
Mayor Hosch stated the City Council will consider adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan on Thursday,
December 19, 2002.
Adiourn: Lesnick made a motion to adjourn at 8:55 PM; seconded by Utsch and passed
unanimously.
~d7~~
ud Weyrens
d n istrator
I
I
:S:',·:·;:""i·,··"-·,~:-<·-·",,~':',·;::,,,,·,;·'_:,,::,::A_,C(;,..;. .".- -, '
I
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
I
I