HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04] Minutes January 8,2018
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular
session on Monday, January 8, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the St.Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Plannina Commission Members Present: Chair Gina Dullinger, Commissioners, Troy Goracke, Chad
Hausmann, Matt Johnson, Steve Olson, Daryl Schaefer, Community Development Director Therese
Haffner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Amy Bonfig
Approval of the Aaenda: Dullinger made a motion to approve the agenda.The motion was seconded
by Johnson and passed unanimously.
Election of Officers: Johnson made a motion to appoint Dullinger as Chair and Hausmann as Vice
Chair for 2018.The motion was seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously.
Approvaf of the Minutes: Olson made a motion to approve the minutes of November 13, 2017.The
motion was seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously.
Public HearinQ, CUP Request-117 1S�Ave. SE: Haffner presented the conditional use permit(CUP)
request by property owner Amy Bonfig to allow Lillian Leonard Primary, a private elementary school,
grades K-3 in the existing single family home zoned as R-1 single family residential at 117 1St Avenue SE.
Lillian Leonard Primary currently operates and would continue to operate in the building known as Colts
Academy, east of the St. Joseph Government Center. Private elementary schools are a permitted
conditional use within the R1 District. The plan proposes to convert the existing attached garage into
school space, along with the current home space.The school would have one teacher on-site and
operate year round Monday—Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM. Haffner presented the Findings of Fact and Decision
for consideration.
Dullinger opened the public hearing.
Jason Pekarek, 114 1S�Avenue SE, St. Joseph MN: Pekarek questioned if there would be busing and the
number of students. Pekarek voiced concerns with more traffic, effect on property values, ease of sale,
more noise and stated that parking was already a problem.
Amy Bonfig, 11715�Avenue SE, St. Joseph MN:Applicant and owner Bonfig said that they have agreed
to a maximum of 20 on-site. There would be no busing and some families have more than one child who
attend so that would be one vehicle dropping off and picking up. The families would drop and leave rather
than stay parked.
As no one else present wished to speak, Dullinger closed the public hearing.
Hausmann questioned how many were currently attending Little Saints Academy. Bonfig responded 100.
Olson questioned if there was lack of room in the current space. Bonfig said there was and they were
growing.
Dullinger questioned whether the current students would move into the home space. Bonfig said yes they
would.
Goracke questioned the hours. Bonfig shared that the hours were 7 AM to 6 PM but school begins at 8
AM and generally ends at 3 PM. Haffner clarified that the hours were included in the Findings of Fact and
Decision before the Commission.
January 8,2018
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Dullinger moved to approve the Findings of Fact and request for a CUP to allow for a private
elementary school at 117 15t Ave. SE.The motion was seconded by Hausmann and passed
unanimously.
Council Liaison Report: Goracke reported on the following:
• The truth and taxation and fee schedute public hearings were held. The 2018 fee schedule was
approved.
• Labor contract agreements were reached with LELS and AFSCME unions and the City Council
approved both contracts.
• The City Council approved a new compost agreement.
Haffner shared that the 2018 budget was approved in December.
Dullinger questioned the status of the Comprehensive Plan update. Haffner reported that staff has been
working with the consultants on the draft and were scheduled to meet with them in December to review
but had to reschedule and will be meeting with them in January. The plan is to have a joint meeting with
the Planning Commission, Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, City Council, EDA and Park Board
to review the draft plan.
Adiourn: Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:19 PM.The motion was seconded by
Goracke and passed unanimously.
Therese Haffner
Community Development Director