HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 [03] Mar 12 March 12,2018
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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, March 12, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Planning Commission Members Present: Chair Gina Dullinger, Commissioners, Troy Goracke, Chad
Hausmann, Matt Johnson, Steve Olson, Daryl Schaefer, Mike Ross, Community Development Director
Therese Haffner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens, Kevin Johnson, Chad Carlson,Amber Nagel, Jim
Krebsbach, Gary Heltemes, Julie Johnson, Janet Linn, Jayme Roering, Jeff Roering
Approval of the Aaenda: Dullinger made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of item 7,
Comprehensive Plan Update.The motion was seconded by Schaefer and passed unanimously.
Apqroval of the Minutes: Schaefer noted correction to"hearing" rather than"acres" under Public Hearing.
Olson made a motion to approve the minutes of February 12, 2018 as amended.The motion was
seconded by Dullinger and passed unanimously.
Public Hearinp. Preliminary Plat and PUD. Southview Heiqhts: Haffner stated an application was received
from KJ Development of St. Joseph, LLC for approval of a preliminary plat and planned unit development
(PUD). The property is the former Del-Win Ballroom site located west of 20�h Ave SE. The plat consists of
1 lot of just over 6 acres. The property is zoned R-3 Multiple Family Residential and the development will
consist of a mixture of townhomes, duplexes, and patio homes for a total of 54 units. The R-3 lot area
requirements are 50 feet for south side and rear yard setbacks. The proposal requests those setbacks be
reduced to 30 feet.Additionally, per the Ordinance,the maximum lot coverage is 50°/a whereas the
request for this development has a maximum lot coverage of 60%. Haffner stated staff recommends
greenspace be maintained at 50%. Utilization of a PUD does not afford the developer deviation from the
underlying zoning district requirements for economic reasons. The plan proposes a distance of 10 feet
between the buildings for the duplexes and patio homes,which the Planning Commission will need to
determine if that spacing is adequate.
Kevin Johnson, KJ Development of St. Joseph, LLC: Johnson approached the Planning Commission as
the owner and applicant for the proposed development. Johnson purchased the property in 2001 and
rezoned the property from B2 to the current R3. The development will be completed in three phases
which is the most feasible. The contractor for the project is Lumber One.The property value would be
around $7M once completed.
Chad Carlson, Lumber One Avon: Carlson, representing the Contractor for the development, presented
colored renderings of the project. Carlson stated their goal is to stay at 40%for greenspace. Regarding
the access points, the development originally had two access points; however, 20`h Avenue SE is
considered a major arterial road. The development will have one main access with an emergency access
on the north end of the lot.
Jim Krebsbach; Krebsbach stated his mother owns the property to the north of the development and is
concerned about the setback and if there will be any type of buffering along that property line. Haffner
stated the proposed setback is 30 feet and there is no additional buffering proposed.
As no one else present wished to speak, Dullinger closed the public hearing.
Olson asked what options the developer has for adding additional greenspace to meet City Ordinance.
Johnson stated an option would be to have porous concrete. If the concrete were not used, then the
parking stalls on the west end of the property would be lost as those would be converted to greenspace.
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Paul Schumer, 25018�h Ave SE: Schumer stated some of the houses along 18th Avenue have water
issues because of water drainage from the hill. Schumer added he is concerned with additional water
coming into those lots.
Will Huston, Westwood: Huston, engineer/surveyor of the project, stated there will be a swale that will
drain the water to the southern storm water pond.
Regarding the distance between the duplexes, Johnson stated 10 feet can be done. It was derived from
the fire code.
Schaefer asked how the elimination of the parking stalls would impact the development. Huston stated
there is additional room in the driveways for extra parking. The parking stalls would be an added benefit.
Schaefer added it would be a disadvantage to require the developer to remove the additional parking
stalls. Schaefer noted that since Stearns County recognizes porous concrete for greenspace, then the
City should too. Schaefer is having a hard time with possibly eliminating a duplex in order to meet the
greenspace requirements.
Dullinger asked if there were concerns with the"s"curve entrance into the devefopment. Johnson stated
staff had required the access align with the access across 20th Avenue into the Armory.
In order to meet the greenspace requirements, an additional 15,000 square feet of greenspace would
need to be created. Hausmann stated he is having a hard time going against staff recommendation as the
main reason for the greenspace deviation is economic.
Hausmann made a motion recommending the City Council approve the Preliminary Plat and
Preliminary PUD Plan for Southview Heights with the following conditions being met.
1. All engineering issues are addressed. Revise plan accordingly.
2. Final plat and site plan approvals are required prior to the development. Development
fees, including but not limited to park dedication, storm development, etc. is required at
time of final plat. The developer/owner will be required to enter into a development
agreement with the City in accordance with the city subdivision ordinance.
3. That a 10 foot wide trail easement be recorded in advance of the recoding of the final plat .
and documented on the final plat on the northerly boundary of the plat.The construction
of an 8 foot wide bituminous trail shall be improved to city standards and completed at the
same time of construction of the development at the expense of the developer/owner.
4. That the maximum impervious surface will be 50%to meet city zoning ordinance. Revise
plan accordingly.
5. That the emergency access be constructed and maintained at the expense of the
developerlowner including snow removal.
6. That the exterior finish materials for all the buildings will meet the R-3 ordinance
requirements. Revise plan accordingly.
7. That additional trees and additional shrubs will be provided to meet the city zoning
ordinance. Revise landscaping plan accordingly.
The motion was seconded by Dullinger and passed unanimously.
Council Liaison Reaort: Goracke reported the following:
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment was approved.
• The Park Board will be holding an open house session to obtain feedback for East Park
Development on March 2�rn
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• Maintenance Staff is starting to discuss plans for an additional cold storage building.
Dullinger questioned the status of the annexation.Weyrens presented an overview of the annexation
noting the presentation was also shared with the City Council and at the February 15th information
session. Since the February 15th information session, the City and Township have created a sub-
committee to meet on annexation issues.
Schaefer questioned if the annexation would put the township out of business.Weyrens stated she
cannot answer that question. However, the City does not have that intention.The original agreement was
created in 1997 and at that time it was determined that the township would survive after the annexation.
Weyrens added since then the Township had entered into an agreement with Waite Park and has
annexed those properties into their city limits.
The proposed timeline for the annexation is April 1�`, but will need to be reviewed by the Council on
whether an extension is needed.
Comprehensive Plan Update: Dullinger questioned whether the annexation would be incorporated into
the Comprehensive Plan. Weyrens stated the annexation will not change the intent of the document and
future land use planning for the City.
Haffner stated that consultant Community Design Group(CDG)has finished the draft of the document.
Haffner invited Planning Commissioners to attend the joint all city meeting at 6 PM on March 27th where
CDG will present the draft plan.
Adiourn: Olson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 PM.The motion was seconded by Dullinger
and passed unanimously.
Therese Haffner
Community Development Director