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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] 2016 [07] Jul 12 July 12, 2016 Page 1 of 2 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, July 12, 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: Ralph Eiynck, Mark Bromenschenkel, Anne Meyer, Duane Pfannenstein, Lisa Pfannenstein, Scott Dymoke, Angie Berg, Pete Rothfork, Mark Thompson, Ann Reischl. Approve Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of May 10, 2016; seconded by Salzer and passed unanimously by those present. Public Hearing, Administrative Subdivision Request: Chair Schultz opened the public hearing to which Weyrens stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider an administrative subdivision request submitted by Melrose Associates Inc. and Rothfork Associates Inc or Melrose, MN. The request for administrative subdivision is in accordance with Stearns County Subdivision Ordinance#230 and according to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of St. Joseph, Township of St. Joseph and Stearns County. The property is zoned Urban Expansion. The request is to attach 3.85 acres to parcel 31.20633.0000 and attach 3.85 acres to parcel 31.20636.0000. Weyrens stated the subdivision will not change the land area for the lots and all setbacks are conforming. The subdivision also does not grant any land use approvals or allow the extension of the existing business. Duane Pfannenstein, 31247 CR2 approached the Board with concerns. Pfannenstein questioned if the property owner is allowed to expand the current gravel pit operations if the subdivision request is approved. He also questions the amount of traffic that is generated by the pit and if traffic management will be addressed. Weyrens stated if the pit were to expand, the use would have to come back to the Joint Planning Board for approval. The matter at hand is just regarding the land swap. It was questioned if the purpose of the hearing is to allow the pit to expand. Pete Rothfork, property owner stated that the expansion of the pit is not part of the action being requested at this meeting. Rothfork clarified that he is requesting an administrative lot split to allow for a land exchange. Weyrens stated that she is aware of the proposed expansion and if the property owner opts to move forward an Interim Use Permit will be required which will include a public hearing and notification to the adjoining property owners. An adjoining property owner questioned the debris that is currently left on the road as trucks leave the existing site. The property owner indicated that gravel is left along the shoulders and the roads making it difficult for bicyclists. Weyrens stated that she will have the Public Works Director for the City look into the matter. As no one else present wished to speak, Chair Schultz closed the public hearing. Salzer made a motion authorizing the execution of a certificate of compliance authorizing the administrative subdivision as requested,with the contingency that the reconfiguration of lots does not grant or infer additional development rights and any use expansion of the current businesses; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Fee Schedule Discussion: Weyrens stated a draft fee schedule will be brought to the board at the next meeting regarding fees potentially incurred by the City and Township for developments. July 12, 2016 Page 2 of 2 Other Matters: Salzer stated it is his understanding the Fire Contract is expired and questioned if that will be addressed. Weyrens stated that the Fire Board will be reviewing the Fire Contract at their August meeting. Admiourn: Salzer made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Rick Schultz Judy Weyrens Joint Board Chair Joint Board Secretary July 12, 2016 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council and St. Joseph Township Board met in joint session on Tuesday, July 12 2016 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. City Council Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Dale Wick, Matt Killam, Bob Loso. St. Joseph Town Board Present: Chair Jerome Salzer. Supervisors Brenda Stanger, Ralph Eiynck. Others Present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens, Townhip Clerk Ann Reischl, Angie Berg (Stearns County Environmental Services), Stearns County Commissioner Mark Bromenschenkl, Therese Haffner, Ann Meyer, Mark Thompson. Management of Orderly Annexation Area: Weyrens stated that the City and Township have been approached by Angie Berg of Stearns County Environmental Service regarding the management of the OAA. In 2010 the City and Township of St. Joseph and Stearns County executed a memorandum of understanding transferring land use authority from Stearns County to the Joint Planning Board. Weyrens stated that at this time the County is requesting to review the process to see what is working and what is not. Angie Berg, Stearns County Environmental Services, stated that she had contacted the City and Township to see to open a discussion about transferring all the responsibilities to the Joint Planning Board. She stated that she has had some developer's express frustrations that they do not know who to approach or where the decisions are made. In addition, she stated that the staff in Environmental Services feel like they are stuck in the middle and enforcement becomes difficult. The County staff does not have a problem enforcing actions; however, they don't always see the provisions in the development agreement Weyrens stated that she has some frustrations with the enforcement. Not saying one is better than the other, but the City opted to utilize building inspection services to include verifying site locations and additional inspection items rather than a permitting process where a permit is issued and that is the bulk of the service. In the OAA it seems that the process is segmented with the County issuing the site permits and the building official issuing the permit. There seems to be a disconnect with enforcing the development agreements and assuring the buildings are located where it was intended. This became an issue with permits in Sunset Ridge and there is currently a compliance issue regarding the ingress/egress. Salzer stated that he has some frustrations as he does not feel that he always knows what is happening in the OAA and it is still Township property. Weyrens stated that she can understand the frustration as people want to work with their representatives. However, she stated that it is frustrating when people either purposely or un-intentionally circumvent vent the process. Berg stated that it is not the intent of the County to stop providing services immediately; rather find a way to transition out of the role as Zoning Administrator. She stated that Waite Park and St. Joseph are the only OAA where they provide such service and after January 1, when Waite Park annexes the remaining sections, it will just be St. Joseph. She further stated that she is uncertain that they have the authority to be Zoning Administrator. Loso questioned when the process changed and if they could revert back to the original method of land use management. Weyrens stated in 2010 the City's of Waite Park and St. Joseph met with St. Joseph Township and Stearns County to find a method to better manage the land use matters in the OAA. Previously the OAA included a Joint Planning Board and a Joint Powers Board that was advisory to the Stearns County Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners. Developers and residents felt the process was time consuming and cumbersome so a new process was outlined and a Memorandum of Understanding was executed. This MOU converted the final and absolute authority to the Joint Planning Board. Over the past year it has become increasing challenging. July 12, 2016 Page 2 of 2 Berg concurred with Weyrens and stated that reverting back to the original method is not an option as there is no Statutory authority for such. Therefore, the City and Township have the options of the Township hiring an outside consultant or using City staff or resources as the Zoning Authority. When questioned on the time frame, Berg stated that she would like to see the transition occur over the next six months. She state that even if the County is not the Zoning Authority, they would still be a resource for the Joint Planning Board and would still manage the site permits and wetland issues. Stanger clarified that the County is looking to step outside of the process and the City and Township need to determine how the responsibilities of Zoning Administrator will be handled. She questioned Berg as to how other Townships manage the land use. Berg stated that some of the Township hire their own Planning Consultant and some have the Building Official serve as the Zoning Administrator. Stearns County Commissioner Mark Bromenschenkl reinforced that it is not the position of the County to leave the City and Township in limbo. Rather, it is the intent to help the City and Township find a way to manage the land use and then serve as a resource. He stated that he is more than happy to be part of the process and does not mind having to attend the meetings. It is important to find a solution that works for everyone. Schultz stated for him to make an informed decision, he needs to know what the frustrations or gaps are from all three perspectives, the City, Township and County. He would like to see each compile a list to see what needs to be fixed and then find the best solution. By consensus it was agreed that the Township Clerk, City Administrator and Angie Berg would meet to continue the discussion and after a list is compiled a meeting will be scheduled with the Township Board and City Council. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 6:50 PM. Jerome Salzer, Rick Schultz Chair, St. Joseph Township, Chair Mayor, City of St. Joseph