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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04] Minutes, Sept 9September 9, 2019 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in a regular session on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Planning Commission Members Present: Vice Chair Chad Hausmann, Commissioners, Matt Johnson, Steve Olson, Mike Ross, Brian Theisen, Daryl Schaefer, Community Development Director Therese Haffner Members Absent: Gina Dullinger Others Present: Tom Bruce, Rice Companies, Janelle Schneekloth, Bruce Schneekloth, Kat Hemp (by telephone) Approval of the Agenda: Schaefer made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously by those present. Approval of the Minutes: Schaefer made a motion to approve the minutes of July 29, 2019. The motion was seconded by Olson and passed unanimously by those present. Certificate of Survey, Grace Acres: Haffner presented the request from Susan Sink and Steven Heymans for approval of a Certificate of Survey to allow for a minor subdivision. The minor subdivision includes two lots adjusting boundaries and does not create additional lots. Community Development Director Haffner stated typically a Certificate of Survey/minor subdivision request is reviewed and approved administratively, but since access to Tract B is currently provided via a recorded ingress/egress easement, it requires review and recommendation by the Planning Commission. Theisen moved to approve the Certificate of Survey prepared for Susan Sink and Steven Heymans. The motion was seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by those present. Public Hearing, Variance Request — Trobec's Bus Service: Haffner presented the variance request from Rice Companies on behalf of Trobec's Bus Service. City ordinance requires parking lots and drive maneuvering areas to be paved with a hard surface, not gravel. The applicant is requesting approval of a variance to allow class II/V or crushed granite for 2.94 acres of the proposed Trobec's facility parking lot drive maneuvering areas. Hausmann opened the public hearing for the Conditional Use Permit. As no one present wished to speak, Hausmann closed the public hearing. Tom Bruce, Rice Companies: Bruce stated the bus storage is to accommodate sixty-eight buses. There will be aprons to the garages that are ten feet deep. Hausmann asked if the impervious surface of the 2.94 acres be reduced by having grass and additional green spaces. Bruce stated that could be a possibility, especially along the east side. Olson stated in an industrial area, it doesn't make sense to have the entire area paved. Hausmann asked if it would be possible to have crushed bituminous on the surface of the area. Bruce stated crushed bituminous would be an option, but prefers the crushed granite. Bruce added that many bus storage facilities throughout the state have gravel inside the buildings where the buses are stored. Trobec's will all be paved/concrete. Hausmann questioned if there are circumstances unique to the property not caused by the landowner that would require a variance. September 9, 2019 Page 2 of 3 There was discussion on the findings of fact and consensus was that the variance was reasonable given that the property would be used in a reasonable manner. The property is unique given the required lot size for the large vehicles. The variance would not alter the essential character of the neighborhood given the front area would be paved with bituminous and would be similar to other properties in the area. Olson made a motion recommending to the Council approval of the Variance request and Adopt Findings of Fact supporting the variance. The motion was seconded by Johnson. Aye: Olson, Theisen, Johnson, Schaefer Motion Carried: 4:1 Nay: Hausmann Hausmann commented that he did not agree that there was anything unique with the property Public Hearing, Conditional Use Permit — 32 15t Ave NW: Haffner presented the request by Janelle and Bruce Schneekloth for approval of a conditional use permit to allow for either a group home for adult foster care or Airbnb rental for their property at 32 1St Ave NW. The property is zoned B-1 Central Business District with an existing residential home structure that was converted to commercial use on the main level and a residential rental on the basement level. A bed and breakfast and state licensed daycare are permitted and similar uses as determined by the Planning Commission are permitted conditional uses in the B-1 Central Business District Ordinance. Hausmann opened the public hearing. Janelle & Bruce Schneekloth, Owners: Schneekloth stated she has owned the property for the last nineteen years and it has been for sale for the past year. There is an interested party, Catalina Group, for an adult foster care facility where four adults can be cared for. As no one else present wished to speak, Hausmann closed the public hearing. Olson questioned if the adults being cared for would be permanent residents. Kat Hemp, Catalina Group stated the adults would be permanent residents at the home. Theisen asked what type of home daycare it would be. Hemp stated the home would take adults with minor mental and/or physical disabilities. Schneekloth stated the plan is to sell the property, but wanted to go through the Conditional Use Permit process to make sure the use would be approved. The renter that is renting the lower unit has a lease until April 2020. Catalina Group would be okay with that renter staying there if he/she wishes, but they are also okay too with occupying the entire building. Olson moved to recommend the City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit request for an Airbnb and adopting the findings of fact. The motion was seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously by those present. Johnson moved to recommend the City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit request for an adult foster care home and adopting the findings of fact. The motion was seconded by Hausmann and passed unanimously by those present. Council Liaison Report: Theisen reported the budget is being narrowed down for 2020. Haffner added the preliminary budget needs to be adopted by the end of September and the final budget would be approved in December. The Council will also be having another public hearing on the Conditional Use Permit and Variance request for Caribou Coffee off of 12th Ave SE. September 9, 2019 Page 3 of 3 Adjourn: Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 PM. The motion was seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously by those present. Therese Haffner Community Development Director