HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04] MinutesMarch 11, 2019
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Joint Planning Board met on Wednesday, March
11, 2019 at 6:30 PM at the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present; Chair Doug Fredrickson. Members Chad Hausmann, Steve Olson, Brian Theisen,
Ralph Eiynck, Brenda Stanger, Denny Durand. City Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: St. Joseph Township Clerk Ann Reischl, Amy Braig-Lindstrom, Isaac Lindstrom, Emily
Lynn.
Minutes: Olson made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2019; seconded by Eiynck
and passed unanimously by those present.
Conditional Use Permit, Franklin Outdoor Advertising: Chair Fredrickson called the hearing to order to
which Weyrens stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow
for roof -mounted solar panels on the house located at 9115 Cayley Ct in the River Ridge Estates
subdivision. The property is located in the Residential R-10 District within St. Joseph Township, and in
the Orderly Annexation Area. Roof -mounted solar panels are a permitted accessory use under the
Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance. The Memorandum of Understanding between the City
and Township of St. Joseph requires a conditional use permit for solar energy systems. Therefore, in the
strict interpretation, roof mounted solar panels would require a conditional use permit as it does not
differentiate between building or roof -mounted solar panels, free-standing solar arrays, solar gardens and
solar farms.
Isaac Lindstrom, All Energy Solar, approached the Board on behalf of his client, Corey Linn. Lindstrom
stated the proposed project is the first 15.12 KW in the area for a residential property. The structures will
be located on the rear roof, which is facing the Sauk River. The proposed solar structures meet all the
setback requirements.
There being no one further requesting to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Hausmann made a motion authoring execution of the CUP Findings of Fact and Decision; issuing
a CUP to Corey Linn, 9115 Cayley Ct, to install two roof mounted solar array panels with the
following contingencies. The motion was passed unanimously by those present:
1. The applicant/property owner is responsible for meeting all Federal, State, and Local
requirements, including but not limited to meeting the Stearns County Land Use and
Zoning Ordinance, MN State Building Code, and the MN State Electric Code and
obtaining any and all permits and licenses.
2. A building permit must be obtained prior to the installation of the solar energy system.
3. The solar energy system shall not be used for the display of advertising.
4. Utility Notification: The electric utility service provider that serves the Subject Property
shall be informed of the applicant's intent to install the solar energy system if the
applicant intends to connect to the electricity grid and such documentation shall be
submitted to the City of St. Joseph. If the applicant does not plan to connect the system
to the utility service electricity grid, the applicant shall declare so in writing in the building
permit application.
5. Revocation: The Joint Planning Board shall revoke the conditional use permit if it
determines that the terms and conditions of the permit as issued are no longer being
complied with. A certified copy of an order of the Joint Planning Board revoking the
interim use permit shall be filed with the County Recorder for recording.
6. Expiration: If within one (1) year after issuance of granting a conditional use permit the
use permitted has not started, then the permit is null and void, unless the Joint Planning
March 11, 2019
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Board has approved a petition for an extension. The conditional use permit shall expire if
the authorized use ceases for any reason for more than one (1) year.
All abandoned or unused solar energy systems/solar panels shall be removed within
twelve (12) months of the cessation of operation.
The St. Joseph City Administrator and/or his/her designee shall have the right to inspect
the Subject Property for compliance and safety purposes annually or at any time upon
reasonable request.
Adjourn: Theisen made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 PM; seconded by Olson and passed
unanimously by those present.
Doug Fredrickson
Chair, St. Joseph Joint Planning Board