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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04] August 8 Minutes August 8, 2016 Page 1 of 4 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, August 8, 2016 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Chair Rick Schultz, Commissioners, Gina Dullinger, Steve Olson, Chad Hausmann, Matt Johnson and Daryl Schaefer Members Absent: Chad Johnson Others Present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens, City Engineer Randy Sabart, Sue Palmer, Cory Ehlert, Brian Lopau, Jay Pomeroy, Mary Stenson, Glen Werner Approval of the Agenda: Schaefer made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by those present. Approval of the Minutes: Schultz made a motion to approve the minutes of July 11, 2016. The motion was seconded by Hausmann and passed unanimously by those present. Public Hearing, Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling Law: Schultz opened the public hearing to which Weyrens stated the purpose of the hearing is to review and consider adopting an Ordinance opting out of the Temporary Family health Care Dwelling Law. As no one present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing. Weyrens clarified that purpose of the new law is to provide temporary transitional housing for a mentally or physically impaired person by allowing them to stay in a temporary dwelling on a relative's or caregiver's property. If Cities do not opt out of the law by conducting a public hearing the temporary dwellings would be allowed regardless of the Ordinance provisions. Dullinger stated while the intent of the Legislation has merit, the type of shelter that would be allowed does not appear to match with the quality of life standards that should be applied. Opting out of the Ordinance will allow for the City to create an ordinance that best suits the needs and wants of the City and creates quality shelter. Hausmann made a motion recommending the City Council adopt the Opt-Out Ordinance for the Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling Law. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Public Hearing, IUP, 29 MN ST E: Schultz opened the public to which Weyrens stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider an interim use permit to allow a non-owner occupied rental at 29 Minnesota Street E as submitted by Cory Ehlert, owner and applicant. The St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 520.30 subd. 5 allows for an Interim Use Permit as follows: Residential units in areas that have been rezoned to commercial from residential shall be allowed an interim use permit as a rental unit for a specific period of time. The maximum density for rental units under the interim use permit shall be limited to the density which is allowed in the R-1, Single Family Residential District. As no one present wished to speak; however Weyrens stated that she did receive a call from the adjoining property owner, Jon Petters, supporting the project. Schultz closed the public hearing. Schaefer made a motion approving the findings of fact recommending the City Council issue an Interim Use Permit to Cory Ehlert to allow a rental license for 29 Minnesota Street East. The motion was seconded by Hausmann and passed unanimously by those present. Schultz stated that an IUP has regulations in the Ordinance limiting the time frame of rentals in the City. Schultz is concerned with the decision setting a precedent for not only rentals in the General Business district, but also those in Residential districts. August 8, 2016 Page 2 of 4 Schultz made a motion amending the previous motion limiting the IUP to 1 year. Motion failed for the lack of a second. Property owner Cory Ehlert approached the Planning Commission with map showing the property in which the IUP is being requested. The map also illustrated the number of rentals in the area. Ehlert stated the property had been a rental for 35 years prior him purchasing the property and the current use is no different. Ehlert added that he is cautious of having to come back to the Planning Commission after 1 year and requested a 2 or 3 year Interim Use Permit. Brian Lopau, 35 MN S E approached the Planning Commission in support of the requested UIP. Lopau stated Ehlert has done a great job of leasing the property and in making sure the renters respect and keep up the property. Lopau added he enjoys having the students occupy the property. Dullinger made a motion amending the existing motion limiting the IUP to a two year period. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Public Hearing, PUD, College of Saint Benedict: Chair Schultz called the hearing to order to which Weyrens stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider a Planned Use Development amendment for the proposed final plat of College 4th Addition as submitted by, Anderson-Johnson Associates, Inc., applicant and College of Saint Benedict, owner; for property located east of College Ave. S and west of Graceview Estates and legally described as Outlot D, College 2nd Addition. The purpose of the request is to facilitate the development of an athletic facility. Sue Palmer, VP of Finance, CSB approached the Commission on behalf of the property owner. Palmer requested the Planning Commission recommend approval of the PUD Amendment without requiring access to Field Street. Members of CSB met with City Staff previously to go over any outstanding items. Palmer added the project is a great one for not only the College but for the larger community as well. Jay Pomeroy, Anderson-Johnson Associates, Inc approached the Commission on behalf of property owner as the consulting engineer. Pomeroy presented the site plan of the proposed athletic fields. The main entrance into the parking lot would be the same access as that to the student commons area. Pomeroy is hoping to break ground this year with a completion date fall 2017. Pomeroy stated CSB is not ready to forward construction plans for the buildings as they are still working on the final plans and funding. Schultz questioned the impact of the main Northern Natural Gas easement that bisects the proposed development area. Palmer stated no permanent structures can be placed over the line. If a field were installed over it CSB would be responsible for field repair if the gas line would need to be accessed. Ehlert approached the Commission asking where the PUD starts and stops. Weyrens stated the PUD was approved in 2011 and encompasses all the property owned by CSB east of CR 12 between Callaway St E and Field Street. When questioned about the impact of lighting, City Engineer Randy Sabart responded that the lighting plans submitted by the developer engineer appear to meet the Ordinance requirements; however, some additional information has been requested to assure compliance. Dullinger questioned if fields are lit only when events are held to which Palmer stated yes. As no one else present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing. Dullinger questioned if there is only going to be one access. Pomeroy stated the one access is what is planned. Palmer added the number of vehicles expected at one time would be less due to the students living on campus and visiting teams commuting with buses. August 8, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Glen Werner, Athletic Director- CSB stated that in her opinion the fields will not cause a huge change to the amount of traffic at that access. Dullinger responded that the new fields have the potential of increasing spectators as the Fields will be readily accessible, which is a great asset to the community. Sabart clarified the second access is currently designed as an emergency access only. The submitted plans include an enhanced trail that could be used in the event of an emergency. Palmer requested staff point her to the place in the Ordinance where two accesses are required and suggested the Planning Commission recommend approval tonight allowing staff and CSB staff to work out any outstanding items. Schultz questioned the impact of the development to the proposed collector, known as Field Street, that is in the bidding process. Sabart stated construction plans for Field Street contemplated a right in right out access. The question was raised whether the current Field Street plan could be modified to provide a full access point. Sabart stated a left turn lane could be incorporated into the plans. Olson questioned if the reasons for additional access points are due to convenience or safety. Sabart stated he wouldn't say the second access would be for convenience, but rather for easier traffic flow in and out of the facility and safety as well. Sabart added that the proposed second emergency access would resemble a trail and people may not know it can be used as an access. Pomeroy stated it is his opinion that the majority of people attending the events will be students. Pomeroy stated his firm has completed quite a few school plans where there are parking areas ranging from 800- 1000 vehicle capacity with one access. There may be peak times where the traffic flow may be higher. The second access costs money and the higher levels of traffic would be episodic at CSB. Schultz stated that the City is cautious about allowing development without fully looking at traffic impacts. Most recently the City has been involved in a traffic issue centered on Kennedy Community School and has been trying to resolve for the past two years. Hausmann stated in Waite Park, there are 6 softball fields with 12 teams coming in at 6 PM and 12 teams coming in at 7 PM all with one single point of access. Hausmann added he has never heard of a complaint from the City of Waite Park or residents regarding the traffic flow. Hausmann believes the traffic would be less than that of Waite Park. He would prefer two access points, but it is not a deal breaker for him. Johnson questioned if the complex is going to be used for sports camps, or just going to be student use. Werner stated from August until May would be 90% student use. At this point CSB does not have a market for softball and soccer, but hope to develop that market for potential camps. Werner added by year three she will have a much better answer, but does not see a large influx of camps in the first few years. Johnson questioned if neighborhood meetings were held with the College and the people who have the yards abutting the athletic fields. Palmer stated a neighborhood meeting has not been held for quite some time. Mary Stenson, 509 Ellie Court:Stenson stated she lives on Ellie Court and would like to have conversations on lighting and sound at a neighborhood meeting. Ehlert stated the discussion needs to be more around whether an alternative exit would be incorporated into Phase 3 of the project. Ehlert added there may be a different time to look at adding another access and is not sure another exit with traffic flow onto Field Street would be ideal. Sabart stated that the phased PUD does not show a northern access point onto Callaway. Ehlert stated the Planning Commission also needs to take into account the cost of building a road. Sabart stated the costs for the road would be less because it is a private access. Hausmann questioned whether the second access should be a contingency for approval. Dullinger stated that she believes there should be a second access point. She added that she does not want to August 8, 2016 Page 4 of 4 create a provision where a property owner has to expend resources to pay for a provision that is not needed; however, she is concerned with future development and having people enter and exit from one access. Pomeroy stated through discussions with Stearns County, the College is looking to limit the number of crosswalks along College Avenue. Palmeroy added fencing is proposed along College Avenue in hopes of limiting crosswalk traffic to certain crossing areas. Schultz would like to have further discussions on the second access point, but does not want to prolong groundbreaking. Johnson questioned if visitors to the fields would even use the access to Field Street if it were constructed or if they would all use CR 121/College Avenue? Johnson suggested using the emergency vehicle access point to direct traffic as a second access point. Dullinger stated she is unsure of what the benefits are of having the second access point so close to CR121. Schultz stated the comparison to CSB and the Waite Park ball fields cannot be made. Hausmann stated it is more comparable then the comparison of CSB and Kennedy School entrance and exits. Olson made a motion recommending the City Council approve the Request for PUD Plan Approval for College 4th Addition with the following conditions being met. The motion was seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by those present. 1. All engineering issues are addressed. 2. Extend the trail to the future Field Street per the PUD College 2na Addition Development Agreement, City's Subdivision Ordinance and Trail Plan. Revise Plans accordingly and submit to the City. 3. Add conifer trees along the entire length of the easterly boundary adjacent to the single family residential per the PUD College 2nd Addition Development Agreement. Revise plans accordingly and submit to the City. 4. Submit plans to Norther Natural Gas Company due to proposed encroachment within their gas easement and obtain written approval on the plans. Including to encroach into their easement and submit that written copy to the City. 5. Provide audio system information for review and approval per the PUD College 2na Addition Development Agreement. Council Liaison Report: No report Admiourn: Hausmann made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 PM. The motion was seconded by Olson and passed unanimously by those present. Judy Weyrens Administrator