HomeMy WebLinkAbout[2] May 10 JPB Minutes May 10, 2016
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the Joint Planning Board for the Township and City of St. Joseph
met in regular session on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Rick Schultz. Members Jerome Salzer, Steve Olson, Bob Loso, Chad
Hausmann, Brenda Stanger, Mike Koltes, Hal Undersander. Secretary of the Board Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: Marvin Breischbach, Clarence Biar, Joe Bechtold, Ann Reischl, Anne Meyer, Gary
Nordmann, Linda Nordmann, Kevin Cox
Approve Minutes: Salzer made a motion to approve the minutes of April 12, 2016; seconded by
Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.
Public Hearing, Conditional Use Permit: Chair Schultz called the hearing to order and stated the purpose
of the hearing is to consider an after the fact permit to keep fill on part of Lot 8 River Ridge Estates and
they are requesting a Conditional Use Permit to excavate a drainage ditch within a drainage and utility
easement between lots 7 & 8 Rivers Ridge Estates and an infiltration basin within the floodway and 100
year flood zone.
As no one present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing.
Weyrens stated that Stearns County Environmental Services has reviewed the request and if approved
by the Board they have a number of contingencies for inclusion in the CUP. The Sauk River Watershed
District has been contacted for approval and while they have verbally agreed to the proposed CUP after
the fact permit, written verification should be submitted to the City. Before the Watershed District will
forward a letter of support they are seeking additional information.
Olson questioned the need for the berm. Kevin Cox, CLC Partners stated that the berm is being
constructed to help deflect some noise and add screening. The material was transported from the
Jasmine worksite in the City. He further stated that he was unaware that he needed a permit to create a
berm.
Hausmann expressed concern on the slope of the berm stating that a 3:1 slope will be hard for a property
owner to maintain. He questioned Cox if the slope could be reduced to a 4:1 to which Cox stated it could.
Loso made a motion approving the after the fact permit of CLC Partners, LLC, to establish a berm
on Lot 008 River Ridge Estate utilizing the existing fill on the lot and the Conditional Use Permit
request of CLC Partners, LLC providing for a ditch in a drainage and utility easement between Lot
007 and Lot 008 Block 001 River Ridge Estates contingent upon the following. The motion was
seconded by Hausmann and passed unanimously.
1. All sediment control devices shall be in place prior to earth moving work commencing.
2. The completed noise berm shall be seeded and stabilized immediately.
3. The proposed basin shall be tested for a minimum infiltration rate of.8 inches per hour. If the
minimum rate is not achieved, it must be corrected to meet rate.
4. All proposed erosion, sediment control and stabilization practices developed by Westwood
Engineering to be followed as submitted in the erosion and control plan.
5. Execution of the Agreement for the Management and Maintenance of a Storm Water Facility
between CLC Partners, LLC and the Sauk River Watershed District.
6. All permits as required by Stearns County, Sauk River Watershed District and the DNR.
7. Utility ditch to storm pond shall maintain a 4 to 1 slope.
Solar Garden Continued Discussion: Weyrens stated she has not heard from or received any information
from Evan Carlson regarding their solar garden project. Weyrens provided additional information that the
Board had previously requested including solar garden articles, a map illustrating the City's growth over
the past 25 years, and the proposed solar garden site owned by the Walz Family. The proposed site lies
between I-94 and CR 2, within the City growth area. Salzer stated he believes the area is a good location
May 10, 2016
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for a solar garden. Weyrens stated from the City perspective it is in an area where water and sewer
would be installed and the City would not have the ability to recoup assessment costs for the utility
extension creating a financial burden.
Hausmann would like to further discuss where solar gardens should be allowed, possibly an overlay
district. Weyrens suggested obtaining feedback from the City Engineer regarding areas in the OAA where
solar gardens would be most beneficial.
Olson questioned what the tax base is when a solar garden is built. Salzer stated that anything built on
will be taxed commercial as well as an additional state tax.
Loso made a motion adopting the Interim Ordinance establishing a 90 day moratorium temporarily
prohibiting solar energy systems as a principal use in the St. Joseph Orderly Annexation Area.
The motion was seconded by Salzer; motion carried.
Aye: Salzer, Schultz, Hausmann, Loso, Stanger, Olson, Koltes
Nay: Undersander
Loso made a motion to approve the Summary Interim ordinance describing the establishment of a
moratorium temporarily prohibiting solar energy systems as a principal use for publication
purposes. The motion was seconded by Salzer and passed unanimously by those present.
Salzer questioned who would be part of the study group. Weyrens suggested having a solar energy
company. Salzer would like Doug Fredrickson included as well as Mark Bromenschenkel. Hausmann and
Undersander volunteered to be members of the study group.
Other Matter: Weyrens stated she had received a concern regarding the asphalt mine crusher operating
at all hours of the night. There is a provision through ordinance with the County that the Joint Planning
Board could hear the matter and discuss an interim use permit. The complainant approached the property
owner and was told the machinery is too difficult to turn back on in the morning when it is cool.
Admiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Salzer and passed unanimously by those
present.
Rick Schultz Judy Weyrens
Joint Board Chair Joint Board Secretary