HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.13.23CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
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75 Callaway Street East | Saint Joseph, Minnesota 56374
Email: cityoffices@cityofstjoseph.com | Phone: 320.363.7201 | Fax 320.363-0342
St. Joseph Planning Commission
Monday, March 13th, 2023
6:00 PM
St. Joseph Council Chambers
75 Callaway St E
**The meeting will also be available through Zoom**
1.Call to Order
2.Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
4. Agenda Review and Adoption
5. Approve Minutes – February 13th, 2023
6.New Business
a.Building Material Ordinances
7. Old Business
a.Outdoor wood boiler’s
8.Other Business
9. Adjourn
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February 13th, 2023
Page 1 of 3
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met
On Monday, February 13th, 2023, at 6:00 PM. in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioners Mike Osterman, Keith Louwagie, Bob Loso,
Gina Dullinger, Mark Thompson, John Hazen
Absent: Carmie Mick
Staff Present: Nate Keller, Community Development Director
Public Comments: None.
Approval of the Agenda: Louwagie made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was
seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously by those present.
Approval of the Minutes: Hazen made a motion to approve the minutes of November 14, 2022 (No
Dec. or Jan. meetings). The motion was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously by those
present.
New Business:
a. 2023 Chair and Vice Chair of nomination
These are volunteer positions. Two members volunteered.
Thompson made a motion to appoint Dulinger as Chair of the 2023 Planning Commission;
Dullinger made a motion to appoint Hazen as Vice Chair of the 2023 Planning Commission. The
motions were seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously by those present.
b. Joint Planning Board nomination
Keller shared this position meets on an as needed basis, generally a couple times per year.
Loso motioned to appoint Hazen for the Joint Planning Board; seconded by Louwagie and passed
unanimously.
c. Public Hearing #1 – Vacating easements within Outlot E of Northland Business Center plat
d. Public Hearing #2 – Vacating easements within lot 003, block 003 of Northland Business
Center plat
e. Public Hearing #3 – Vacating interior easements within lot 004, block 003 of Northland
Business Center plat
f. Public Hearing #4 – Vacating interior easements within lot 001, block 001 of Northland
Business Center Second Addition plat
g. Public Hearing #5 – Preliminary Plat of Northland Business Center Third Addition
Keller explained to the Commission the request before them is to vacate interior easements within the
original plat of Northland Business Center and Northland Business Center Second Addition. The
proposed plat request will consolidate four lots into one lot.
Thompson asked Keller how vacating those easements would affect the storm sewers, storm drainage
and how that might affect adjoining roads and properties.
Keller explained these lots do not have any lines or existing utilities other than the storm sewer line that
comes out on outlot E. Stormwater would be managed on site for those four lots. The plans for
stormwater management would be submitted as part of the site plan application.
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February 13th, 2023
Page 2 of 3
Kevin Cox, applicant, and owner of C&L Excavating & CLC Partners LLC spoke to the Commission
regarding his requests. Cox explained the request is essential a lot consolidation. The lots are being
consolidated to help accommodate a business interested in purchasing and building on the lot.
Dullinger opened Public Hearing #1 – Vacating easements within Outlot E of Northland business
Center plat at 6:25 PM.
Dullinger closed the public hearing at 6:25 PM, as no one wished to speak.
Dullinger opened Public Hearing #2 – Vacating easements within lot 003, block 003 of Northland
Business Center plat at 6:25 PM.
Dullinger closed the public hearing at 6:26 PM, as no one wished to speak.
Dullinger opened Public Hearing #3 – Vacating interior easements within lot 004, block 003 of
Northland Business Center plat 6:26 PM.
Dullinger closed the public hearing at 6:26 PM, as no one wished to speak.
Dullinger opened Public Hearing #4 – Vacating interior easements within lot 001, block 001 of
Northland Business Center Second Addition plat at 6:26 PM.
Dullinger closed the public hearing at 6:26 PM, as no one wished to speak.
Dullinger opened Public Hearing #5 – Preliminary Plat of Northland Business Center Third
Addition at 6:27 PM.
Dullinger closed the public hearing at 6:27 PM, as no one wished to speak.
Hazen made a motion to approve resolution PC001-2023 to vacate interior easements within
Northland Business Center; seconded by Thompson and passed unanimously by those present.
Dullinger made a motion to approve resolution PC002-2023 to vacate interior easements within
Northland Business Center Second Addition; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously by
those present.
Hazen made a motion to recommend action on the Preliminary and Final Plat resolution PC003-
2023 for Northland business Center Third Addition; seconded by Louwagie and passed
unanimously by those present.
h. Outdoor wood boilers
Keller informed the Commission that staff has received complaints regarding outdoor wood boilers.
Currently the City requires a building permit to have one. The building permit requires the structure to
follow the manufacturer’s specifications. The City has no specific Ordinance regarding outdoor wood
boilers. These structures could be severely limited by placing stricter setbacks, placement restrictions,
and requirements should a stricter ordinance be adopted. Staff looked into ordinances in other cities and
throughout the state then drafted an ordinance that may prohibit or restrict them. The drafted ordinance
could be placed within our General Performance Zoning code and would allow the structures in Rural
Residential districts. Staff is looking for the Commission’s guidance for a potential ordinance with regard
to outdoor wood boilers.
The Commission discussed the number of wood boilers located within the City and if those who currently
have an outdoor wood boiler would be grandfathered in if an ordinance were passed. The Commission
recommended staff come back with another draft adding language to the rough draft ordinance that would
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February 13th, 2023
Page 3 of 3
include requiring owners of outdoor boilers to meet EPA standards, define “clean fuel”, add to the
Accessory Subdivision, and remove language indicating where outdoor wood boilers can be utilized.
Old Business:
• Keller informed the Commission on February 9th, a meet and greet was held for the open City
Administrator position.
• A site plan application has been received for what will be referred to as the Joetown Apartments.
• The EDA took a tour of Obbink Distillery.
• Keller shared he is keeping up with bills working their way through the legislature. One is a pilot
program tied to housing. It would essentially be a grant that would help get water and sewer out to
single family development.
• Keller shared the court hearing for the JR Mobile Site was on February 6th. The City’s requests were
granted by the court. Once the court order is delivered there will be two options; to repair the building
within sixty days and obtain the permits within ten or thirty days to demolish the building and obtain
permits within ten days.
Other Business: None.
Adjourn: Dullinger moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 PM. The motion was seconded by Hazen
and the motion carried.
Minutes approved by:
Nate Keller
Community Development Director
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Planning Commission Agenda Item 07a
MEETING DATE: March 13th, 2023
AGENDA ITEM: Building Material Ordinances
SUBMITTED BY: Community Development
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and consideration of modifications to ordinance
PREVIOUS PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: None
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
B-1, B-2, and I-1 Zoning districts all have specific building material requirements. Staff would
like Commission to review these material requirements specifically the percentage of metal
requirement within B-1 (downtown Commercial district) . The EDA discussed this requirement
briefly at their Feb. meeting during a grant request. Staff felt it would be worth bringing to
Planning Commission for input and consideration on possible changes via a Zoning amendment.
Construction trends have changed since this ordinance went in place. For example their has been
an increase in metal finishes and diversity of metal options. Current ordinance limits the
percentage of metal on the façade of the building.
The city also has a Downtown Design guideline. The guideline is getting somewhat outdated but
staff have included for more background.
Staff have also included background on the Material requirements for our B-2 Highway
Commericial and I-1 Light Industrial.
ATTACHMENTS: B-1 Ordinance (building material highlighted).
B-2 Ordinance (building material highlighted)
I-1 Ordinance (building material highlighted)
REQUESTED PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Discuss and review ordinances and provide
recommendation on any potential changes.
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Section 502.50: B-1 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Subd. 1: Intent. The Central Business District has been established to encourage the
continuation of a viable downtown by promoting uses dependent of high volumes of pedestrian
traffic; to provide for regulation of the high intensity commercial uses located within the original
core of the City; and, to encourage parks/greenspace in the downtown. The Central Business
District provides space for concentrated general business and commercial activities at locations
where they are easily accessible to residential areas and, at the same time, minimizing negative
impacts to residential neighborhoods.
Subd. 2: Permitted Uses. The following uses shall be permitted within the Central
Business District:
a) Antique stores.
b) Appliance stores.
c) Apparel shops.
d) Artisan shops.
e) Bakery goods, sales and baking of goods on premises.
f) Barber and beauty salons.
g) Bicycle sales and repairs.
h) Book stores.
i) Boutiques.
j) Business/professional offices.
k) Coffee shops.
l) Delicatessen, fruit, vegetable and meat stores.
m) Farmers market. Notification and the submittal of a plan to the Planning
Commission is required.
n) Financial institutions, including insurance companies.
o) Florist.
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p) Government buildings.
q) Grocery and drug stores, not more than 10,000 square feet in size.
r) Hardware stores, not more than 10,000 square feet in size.
s) Hobby shops and gift stores.
t) Interior design services, including floor and wall covering stores.
u) Jewelry sales and service.
v) Laundry and dry-cleaning services.
w) Library.
x) Medical, optical and dental clinics.
y) Microbreweries and bars.
z) Musical instrument stores.
aa) Parks and Open Spaces.
bb) Pet shops, excluding kennel services.
cc) Photograph sales and repair.
dd) Record and video stores.
ee) Restaurants, coffee shops, excluding drive-in service.
ff) Sporting goods stores.
gg) Postal facilities
hh) Other use determined by the Planning Commission to be of the same character as
contained in this Subdivision.
Subd. 3: Conditional Uses. The following uses shall require a Conditional Use Permit as
provided for in this Ordinance.
a) Bed and Breakfast.
b) Convenience stores, excluding fueling facilities.
c) State licensed day care and nursery school facilities provided that:
1. Adequate off-street parking and loading is provided, and;
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2. The facility meets all State licensing requirements pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes 245A.02 and 45A.11.
d) Mixed use of a Permitted Use and a multiple residential dwelling units; but only if
at least 50% of the interior square footage (exclusive of the basement or cellar) is
used full time for a Permitted Use, and said permitted and residential uses are not
conflicting. The area consisting of multiple residential dwelling units must meet
the standards of this Ordinance; and said residential uses occupy only the upper
and/or rear portions of structures. Off-street parking requirements shall be
separately determined for the commercial and residential uses in accordance with
Section 502.10.
e) Hotels, Motels, Lodge.
f) Other uses determined by the Planning Commission to be of the same character as
contained in this Subdivision.
Subd. 4: Permitted Accessory Uses. The following uses shall be permitted as an
Accessory Use in the Central Business District.
a) Commercial or business building for a use accessory to the principal use, not to
exceed 50 percent of the size of principal building.
b) Signs as regulated in this Ordinance.
c) Temporary buildings for construction purposes for a period not to exceed
construction.
d) Off-street loading and parking areas.
Subd. 5: Building Location/Setback Requirements. Buildings shall be set close to the
street with parking behind or on the side of the building, except that the setback is twenty (20)
feet from a residential district.
Subd. 6: Height Requirements. Any portion of a structure shall not exceed 3 stories or 40
feet in height. Berming the building does not allow a building to be constructed higher than 40
feet. Elevation for the building shall be determined by the average grade of the land.
Subd. 7: Building Materials. Building facades shall be designed to avoid a monolithic design
and feature divisions in materials, textures and separate entrance treatments. The exterior surface
of all buildings and structures must be constructed of one of, or a combination of, the following
building materials.
a) Brick or face brick including textured, burnished and colored block;
b) Specially designed precast concrete units if the surfaces have been integrally
treated with an applied decorative material or texture (excluding raw concrete
block painted or unpainted or ceramic faced);
c) Wood;
d) Natural or cut stone;
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e) Glass or any combination thereof;
f) Stucco;
g) Pre-finished architectural metal panels when utilized for accent and/or
architectural components of buildings such as the entry or entry appendage, a
required enclosure or screen or architectural roofing as an intended designed
accent (not to exceed 15% of the exposed wall area on any two visible sides of the
building).
h) Any other materials approved by the City Council after a review and
recommendation by the Planning Commission, including but not limited to
durable decorative synthetic material or concrete composite material found to be
comparable or superior which mimic the appearance of other approved materials.
i) Roof Materials. All roofs which are exposed to a view or are an integral part of a
Building’s aesthetics will be constructed only of commercial grade asphalt
shingles, wood shingles, standing seam metal, slate, tile or copper. The City
Council may consider green roof options that reduce stormwater runoff and
improve water quality.
Subd. 8: Other Requirements.
a) Landscaping Plan. The landscaping, upon any building site or lot, must be carried
out in accordance with a landscaping plan prepared by an experienced landscape
professional which will be reviewed and approved by the City before construction
on a lot. All areas of a lot not occupied by buildings, parking and loading areas,
drives, walkways, or other permitted structures must be landscaped with trees,
shrubs, grass and other planted ground cover approved by City Staff.
b) Landscaping Methods and Material. Landscaping may include seeding, sodding,
raised planters, architectural decorative walls or fencing, trees and shrubs, ground
cover and other landscape materials including rain gardens. Plant material
selection will take into consideration disease and insect resistance, hardiness to
the area, the ability to provide seasonal interest and future maintenance
considerations. Native species are preferred. The following species will not be
allowed: Box Elder, female Ginkgo, Willow and Cottonwoods.
c) Waste Handling Screening. All waste and recycling areas must be either stored in
the principal building or stored in a four (4) sided enclosure at a minimum of five
(5) feet in height constructed of brick, stone, decorative concrete material or a
material comparable and compatible with the material of the principal building.
Waste handling areas should be shared between lots and buildings to the extent
possible to minimize their impact and must be located on the rear of sides of
buildings to minimize visibility from roadways. Any changes to trash handling
areas once a building is constructed must comply with this Ordinance and requires
approval by the City.
c) Where a use exists pursuant to a conditional use permit in conjunction with a
permitted use, the required parking shall be computed for the permitted use and
conditional use separately with adequate parking required to satisfy both uses.
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d) No outdoor storage shall be allowed.
e) Single tenant retail buildings shall not exceed 10,000 square feet.
Subd. 9: Site Coverage. No structure or combination of structures shall occupy more
than 90 percent of the lot area.
Subd. 10: Additional Requirements. Uses may be subject to additional requirements
contained in this Ordinance including, but not limited to the sections governing parking, home
occupation, floodplain, signs, etc.
Subd. 11: Interim Use Permit for Rental Units.
a) Single-family residential dwelling units in areas that have been rezoned to
commercial from residential shall be allowed an interim use permit as a rental unit
for a limited period of time to allow for a transition in use to commercial. When a
majority of the block is a commercial use, no additional interim use permits shall
be granted or extended and single family rental dwellings shall transition to a
permitted use in compliance with this Ordinance. 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.
b) The interim use as a rental unit shall be obtained through the interim use
procedures set forth in this Ordinance.
c) The maximum term for an interim use permit shall be five years but may be less
as approved by the governing body.
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Section 502.54: B-2 HIGHWAY 75 BUSINESS DISTRICT
Subd. 1: Intent. The Highway 75 Business District is intended to control the use and
development of land and improvements by creating a mixed land use district near and adjacent to
the County State Aid Highway 75 corridor in the City of St. Joseph. This shall be done by
allowing for a mixture of land uses and by establishing stringent standards for development. This
section shall be administered in a manner which will encourage and promote high-value
development in a manner similar to a planned unit development, taking full advantage of the
City’s highway location. It is also the purpose of the Highway 75 Business District that a
pleasant, attractive, and aesthetically pleasing environment be developed.
Subd. 2: Permitted Uses. The following uses are permitted:
a) Any use permitted in the B-1 District
b) Automobile repair- minor
c) Convenience store
c) Funeral home
d) Gasoline service station
e) Grocery store
f) Hardware store
g) Motel and hotel
h) Movie (not the drive-in type) and Performing Art Theater
i) Places of worship, including churches, synagogues, chapels, and temples.
j) Retail shop and store
k) Veterinary clinic
l) Other use determined by the Planning Commission to be of the same character as
contained in this Subdivision
Subd. 3: Permitted Accessory Uses. The following uses shall be permitted as an
Accessory Use in the Highway 75 Business District and subject to all the requirements in this
Section:
a) Commercial or business building for a use accessory to the principal use, not to
exceed 30% percent of the size of principal structure.
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b) Signs as regulated in this Ordinance.
c) Temporary buildings for construction purposes for a period not to exceed
construction.
d) Off-street loading and parking areas, subject to applicable section(s) of this
Ordinance.
e) Fences, landscaping.
Subd. 4: Conditional Uses. The following uses shall require a Conditional Use Permit as
provided for in this Ordinance:
a) Animal/Pet Boarding, Training, Grooming and Spa provided that the following is
met:
1. The establishment provides services for domestic animals only, meaning
house pets such as dogs and cats.
2. Buildings must be sound controlled to protect other tenants within the
structure and neighboring structures and property.
3. Outdoor animal runs/exercise areas shall be located in the rear yard, be
fully enclosed with a six foot solid fence. Chain link and sheet metal
fencing is prohibited. The run/exercise area shall be maintained in a dust
free, erosion control manner.
4. Outdoor animal runs/exercise areas shall be located no closer than one-
hundred (100) feet to a residential use or district.
5. Dogs shall be supervised at all times while in the animal run/exercise area
and any barking dogs shall be immediately taken into the building.
6. Outdoor animal runs/exercise areas shall only be used between the hours
of 7 am and 9 pm.
7. The use is subject to the noise ordinance.
8. No exterior kennels will be permitted.
9. There shall be no breeding or sales of animals.
Amended 6/2018
b) Office warehousing.
c) Lawn and garden temporary sales area.
d) Lumber yards and home improvement retail centers.
e) New or used auto dealerships.
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f) Stone masonry building material sales and service.
g) Recreational vehicle sales and services.
h) Transportation terminals, public utility and transfer stations, without storage
yards.
i) Equipment Services.
1. Radio and television shops
2. Appliance repair shops
3. Appliance show rooms
j) Recreational Services.
2. Bowling establishments
3. Clubs and lodges
k) Drive-through and convenience food establishments, provided that an internal site
pedestrian circulation system shall be defined and appropriate provisions made to
protect such areas from encroachments by parked cars or moving vehicles.
l) Commercial car washes (drive through, self-service and mechanical) provided
that stacking space is constructed, subject to approval by the City Engineer, to
accommodate that number of vehicles which can be washed during a maximum
thirty (30) minute period.
m) Uses determined to be of a similar nature as those permitted under Subd. 2, upon
a finding that the uses will not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of
the City, and that the use is consistent with the stated intent of the zone as
contained in Subd. 1.
Subd. 5: Conditions Applicable to All Conditional Use Permits. The following
conditions are applicable to all uses under a conditional use permit:
a) When abutting a residential use in a residential use district, the property is
adequately screened and landscaped.
b) Parking areas shall be screened from the view of abutting residential districts.
c) Vehicular access points shall be limited, shall create minimal conflict with
through traffic movements, shall comply with all appropriate Chapters of this
Ordinance as may be amended and shall be subject to the approval of the City
Engineer.
d) Provisions are made to control and reduce noise in accordance with MPCA
standards.
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e) The entire site other than that taken up by a building, structure or plantings shall
be surfaced so as to control dust subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
f) The entire area shall have a drainage system subject to the approval of the City
Engineer.
g) The architectural appearance and functional plan of the building and site shall not
be so dissimilar to the existing buildings or area so as to cause impairment in
property values or constitute a blighting influence within a reasonable distance of
the lot.
h) All outdoor storage shall be completely screened from view.
Subd. 6: Interim Uses: The following uses shall require an Interim Use Permit as
provided for in this Ordinance:
a) Farmers Market/Outdoor Market – a publicly or privately operated, open-air
establishment where agricultural or new or used projects are sold.
1. A site plan shall be provided illustrating that the location of the
temporary/seasonal market meets all required parking lot setbacks and all
other setbacks. The site plan shall be a scaled and dimensioned site plan
showing the layout of the entire market area including parking spaces for
the use, traffic patterns and stall areas.
2. Any temporary structure placed on the property for such sales must be
removed at the end of the selling season or sale. The size of a temporary
building shall not exceed 120 square feet per vendor.
3. The Interim Use Permit shall be obtained through the interim use
procedures set forth in this Ordinance.
b) Rental Units.
1. Single-family residential dwelling units in areas that have been rezoned to
commercial from residential shall be allowed an Interim Use Permit as a
rental unit for a limited period of time to allow for a transition in use to
commercial. When a majority of the block is a commercial use, no
additional interim use permits shall be granted or extended and single
family rental dwellings shall transition to a permitted use in compliance
with this Ordinance. 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.
2. The Interim Use as a rental shall be obtained through the interim use
procedures set forth in this Ordinance.
3. The maximum term for an interim use permit shall be five years but may
be less as approved by the governing body.
Subd. 7: Setback Requirements.
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a) Lot Size. Minimum lot size is 32,670 square feet (.75 Acre) with a minimum
width of 100 feet.
b) Property adjacent to County State Aid Highway 75. Shall have a ten (10) foot
landscaped setback from the highway right-of-way line. Any structure shall have
a twenty (20) foot setback from the highway right-of-way.
c) Front yard. Setback shall be twenty (20) feet from the lot line.
d) Side yard. Setback shall be ten (10) feet from the interior lot line, fifteen (15) feet
from the corner lot line, and 35 feet if abutting a residential lot line.
e) Rear yard. Setback shall be ten (10) feet from the lot line, 35 feet if abutting a
residential district.
f) No part of the structure including footings, soffits, gutters or other overhangs shall
encroach on easement areas.
Subd. 8: Height Requirements.
a) Any portion of a structure shall not exceed 3 stories or 40 feet in height. Berming
the building does not allow a building to be constructed higher than 40 feet.
Elevation for the building shall be determined by the average grade of the land.
Subd. 9: Site Coverage. No structure or combination of structures shall occupy more
than 60 percent of the lot area. Maximum impervious surface coverage of all buildings, parking
areas, sidewalks and all other areas covered with impervious material shall not exceed seventy-
five (75) percent.
Subd. 10: Other Requirements.
a) Parking Lots. All parking lots shall conform to the standards set forth in this
Ordinance. All lots shall include parking controls and other landscaping
techniques to improve their aesthetic quality and to direct the flow of traffic.
b) Loading Docks. All loading docks shall conform to the standards set forth in this
Ordinance. No loading docks or overhead doors shall directly face County State
Aid Highway 75.
c) Framing Types: Concrete block or masonry framing systems are preferred. Tilt up
framing, Post and Frame and/or steel construction are allowed as long as any
structure has a contiguous masonry frost-free foundation.
d) Building Exteriors. The following are permitted exterior materials:
1. Pre-finished standing seam architectural metal panels, with a minimum
twenty (20) year manufacturer color-fast warranty utilizing concealed
fasteners.,
2. Brick or face brick,
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3. Decorative architectural precast concrete masonry units. Concrete
masonry units shall have indented, hammered, split face finish or other
similar architectural finish and be integrally colored. Light weight
concrete block or cinder block construction is prohibited,
4. Wood,
5. Natural or cut stone such as granite, marble, limestone, slate, river rock
and other durable naturally occurring weather stone,
6. Stucco,
7. Glass curtain walls provided they are designed as non-load bearing
exterior walls supported in a metal framework,
8. Vinyl, aluminum, or steel lap siding,
9. Any other material approved by the City Council, including but not
limited to fiber cement or other composite materials found to be of
comparable or superior durability which mimic the appearance of other
approved materials.
10. Portions of the building shall feature divisions in materials, separate
entrances/entrance treatments, variations in rooflines and/or variations in
building setbacks. A minimum of thirty (30) percent of all four sides of the
exterior, exclusive of windows and doors, shall be constructed of one or a
combination of the following materials: brick, face brick, natural stone or
cut stone, or stucco.
e) Accessory Buildings located in the rear yard or behind the principal structure, and
not visible from the public right-of-way must have an exterior harmonious with
the principal structure, all other accessory buildings must meet the 30%
adornment requirement stated above.
f) Roof Materials. Commercial grade asphalt shingles, wood shingles, standing seam
pre-finished architectural metal, slate, tile or copper. Flat roofs are exempt from
this requirement. The City Council may consider green roof options that reduce
stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
g) Screening. All mechanical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning equipment, and
refuse storage areas shall be screened.
h) Lighting. All lighting shall be hooded and no light may directly strike County
State Aid Highway 75 or areas outside of the development.
i) Stops and Curbs. Concrete curb to B-612 specifications shall be used for all
automobile stops and for all drive and parking areas.
j) Landscaping. In addition to requirements relating to parking lots, the
Development Plan shall show a unified landscaping scheme for the development.
Amended 12/2019
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Section 502.62: LI-LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
Subd. 1: Intent. The Light Industrial District provides space for industrial activities
involving a minimum degree of refuse byproducts and air or noise pollution, and requiring a
relatively low level of on-premise processing. These activities may include secondary
commercial functions which are conducted on site.
Subd. 2: Permitted Uses. The following use shall be permitted within the LI-Light
Industrial District:
a) Assembly plants and manufacturing enterprises of a wide variety of products that
do not cause noxious odors or noise, including excessive users of water and
sewer. Examples of such uses include: fabrication or assembly of small products
such as opticals, electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and small
equipment.
b) Publishing establishments.
c) Clothing or apparel manufacturing or assembly.
d) Business incubator facilities.
e) Bottling establishments.
f) Dry cleaning and drying establishments.
g) Manufacturing/assembly of crates, boxes, baskets, furniture, veneer,
cabinets and similar word items.
h) Building materials sales and storage/ lumberyards.
i) Manufacturing of plastic, fiberglass and metal products.
j) Mini-storage.
k) Major automotive repair.
l) Offices/showroom/retail space as a portion of the principal industrial use provided
they do not exceed a combined 25 percent of the total square footage of the
principal use.
m) Appliance assembly and warehousing.
n) Industrial research laboratories.
o) Manufacturing of small electrical parts and service.
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p) Newspaper and printing plants.
q) Telecommunication facilities, base stations.
r) Telemarketing and mail order establishments.
s) Warehousing, of non-explosive material and equipment within the structure.
t) Wholesale or distributor storage and distribution of non-hazardous materials.
u) Wholesale water conditioning systems.
v) Breweries, Microbreweries, Distilleries.
w) Gyms/indoor athletic facilities
x) Uses determined to be of a similar nature as those contained in this section upon a
finding that the uses will not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the
City, and that the use is consistent with the stated intent of the zone as contained
in Subd. 1.
Subd. 3: Permitted Accessory Uses. The following uses shall be permitted as an
Accessory Use in the Light Industrial District and subject to the all the requirements in this
Section:
a) Restaurant, lunch counters, confectioneries to serve the employees employed
within the District.
b) Residential structures and related residential uses necessary for security and safety
reasons in relation to the principal use.
c) Off-street parking and off-street loading.
d) Outdoor storage as regulated in this Ordinance.
e) Office accessory to the principal use.
f) Signs as regulated in this Ordinance
g) Temporary buildings for construction purposes for a period not to exceed a period
of 12 months.
Subd. 4: Conditional Uses. The following uses shall require a Conditional Use Permit as
provided for in this Ordinance.
a) Adult Entertainment as regulated in this Ordinance.
b) Commercial activities relating to production systems, structural maintenance
programs or the construction industry.
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c) Service structures, public or private, designed and used to serve the uses in the
surrounding area, such as electric power substation, telephone buildings, deep
wells, elevated tanks and similar structures and uses.
d) Biotechnology and health science research, development, manufacturing, and/or
production facilities including but not limited to devices, products, components,
and services whether organic or inorganic in nature.
e) Commercial/Industrial Planned Unit Development.
f) When property within a Light Industrial District abuts County State Aid Highway
75:
1. Motels
2. Gasoline service stations
3. Restaurant or supper clubs
4. Drive-in establishments, provided that an internal site pedestrian
circulation system shall be defined and appropriate provisions made to
protect such areas from encroachments by parked cars or moving vehicles.
5. Open sales or temporary rental lots
g) Indoor Firing Range provided that:
1. The firing range shall not be located on any lot adjacent to an existing
Residential, Educational/Ecclesiastical or Public District unless the facility
is separated by a public right-of-way.
2. The firing Range shall not be located within one thousand (1,000) lineal
feet, measured from building to building, of an existing firing range or
establishment licensed to dispense intoxicating or non-intoxicating liquor,
nor shall they be in a building that dispenses liquor.
3. The building and method of operation shall conform with the applicable
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Protection Agency,
and OSHA standards for indoor ventilation, emission into the atmosphere,
indoor sound levels, lead containment and outside noise standards.
4. The design and construction of the firing range shall completely confine
all ammunition rounds within the building and in a controlled manner.
The design and construction of the firing range shall be certified by a
registered engineer in the State of Minnesota. The certified plans shall
include the specifications and construction of the bullet trap (s), ceilings,
exterior and interior walls and floors. The certified plans shall state what
type and caliber of ammunition the range is designed to totally confine.
5. No ammunition shall be used in the range that exceeds the certified design
and construction specifications of the firing range.
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6. Firearms shall not be stored on the premises when the range is closed for
Business, unless they are stored in a secured vault.
7. On-site supervision shall be supplied at all times by an adult with
credentials as a range operator. The range operator shall be responsible
for the conduct of their place of business and the conditions of safety and
order in the place of business and on the premises.
8. On site instruction shall be given only by Certified Firearms Instructors.
Current certificates for firearms instructors shall be on display in a
conspicuous location in the premises and available for public inspection at
all times.
9. The transport of firearms on the premises, to the premises and from the
premises shall conform to State Law.
10. Minors shall not be allowed in the range unless accompanied by an adult
at all times. This provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit minors
from participating in a firearm safety class or using the facility provided
they are supervised by an adult instructor.
Subd. 5: Interim Uses. The following shall require an Interim Use Permit as provided for
in this Ordinance.
a) Asphalt or concrete plants/mixing facility provided the processing of mined materials
shall not be conducted closer than five hundred (500) feet to any residential
dwelling/use.
Subd. 6: Lot Area Requirements.
a) Minimum Lot Size: One (1) acre (43,560 square feet). Minimum lot width one
hundred (100) feet.
b) Impervious surfaces shall not exceed 80% of the lot area. Impervious surfaces
shall include all structures, parking areas, driveways, sidewalks and all other areas
covered with impervious material.
Subd. 7: Setback Requirements. No part of the structure including footings, soffits,
gutters or other overhangs shall encroach on easement areas.
Front Yard Setbacks.
a) Front yard setback shall be thirty (30) feet from the lot line. On corner lots, the
setback from all lot lines abutting a street shall be thirty (30) feet. When an
industrial district lot is separated from a residential zone by a city street, the
setback from the lot line shall be one hundred (100) feet.
b) Front yards abutting any roadway: the setback shall be landscaped as in
accordance to the requirements of any applicable protective covenants and such
reasonable requirements as established by the City, and shall not be used for
parking.
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Side Yard Setbacks.
a) Side yard setback shall be at least twenty-five (25) feet from the lot line.
Development occurring on lots platted prior to January 1, 1999 shall be subject to
the ten foot side yard setback requirement in effect at the time of platting.
b) A Light Industrial District side yard adjacent to a residential boundary line shall
provide for a landscaped strip of at least sixty (60) feet in width along the lot
boundary line. The landscaped strip shall be planted with an evergreen hedge to
provide a screen. The governing body may require additional side yard setback in
these cases. When such additional width is required, such additional width shall
not exceed one hundred (100) feet.
c) Side yard boarding upon any roadway: the setback shall be landscaped in
accordance with any applicable protective covenants and such reasonable
requirements as established by the City.
Rear Yard Setback.
a) Rear yard setback shall be at least twenty (20) feet, which may be used for
parking.
b) A Light Industrial District rear yard adjacent to a residential boundary shall
provide a landscaped strip of at least sixty (60) feet in width along the lot
boundary line. The landscaped strip shall be planted with an evergreen hedge to
provide a screen. The governing body may require additional side yard setback in
these cases. When such additional width is required, such additional width shall
not exceed one hundred (100) feet.
Subd. 8: Height Requirements.
a) No building constructed in any Light Industrial District shall be more than fifty-
five (55) feet in height. Berming the building does not allow a building to be
constructed higher than 55 feet. Elevation for the building shall be determined by
the average grade of the land.
Subd. 9: Site Coverage. No structure or combination of structures shall occupy more
than 50 percent of the lot area.
Subd. 10: Other Requirements.
a) Parking Lots. All parking lots shall conform to the standards set forth in this
Ordinance. All lots shall include parking controls and other landscaping
techniques to improve their aesthetic quality and to direct the flow of traffic.
b) Loading Docks. All loading docks shall conform to the standards set forth in this
Ordinance. No loading docks or overhead doors shall directly face County State
Aid Highway 75.
c) Building Exteriors. All construction of new facilities, excluding additions that are
less than 30% of the existing structure, shall consist of pre-cast or cast tip up
concrete walls, concrete block (painted or decorative), and stick built construction
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and shall include footings that meet the requirement of the MN State Building
Code, in relation to frost protection.
Pre-finished architectural metal panels, with a minimum twenty (20) year
manufacturer color-fast warranty, may be used as a construction material. A
minimum of twenty-five (25%) of the exterior building finish directly facing
streets, exclusive of windows and doors, shall consist of materials comparable to:
face brick; natural stone or cultured rock; glass; vinyl; stucco, aluminum
lapsiding; cut block; and, concrete block (the surface must be treated with an
applied decorative texture or material). Pre-cast or cast in place concrete
buildings shall provide the same amount of adornment.
Accessory Building located in the rear yard or behind the principal structure, and
not visible from the public right-of-way must have an exterior harmonious with
the principal structure, all other accessory buildings must meet the 30%
adornment requirement stated above.
d) Roof Materials. Commercial grade asphalt shingles, wood shingles, standing seam
pre-finished architectural metal, slate, tile or copper. Flat roofs are exempt from
this requirement. The City Council may consider green roof options that reduce
stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
e) Every applicant shall be required to submit for approval a landscape plan
providing for the planting of trees and other vegetation.
f) Any use creating periodic earthshaking vibration shall be prohibited if undue
vibrations are perceptible beyond boundaries of the property on which the use is
located. This standard shall not apply to vibrations created during the process of
construction.
g) Any use requiring the storage, utilization or manufacture of products which could
decompose by detonation shall be located not less than 400 feet from any
residence. This section shall not apply to the storage or usage of liquid petroleum,
natural gas for normal residential or business use providing other performance
standards are met.
h) All activities that emit radioactivity shall comply with the minimum requirements
of the Federal regulatory body.
i) All uses associated with bulk storage of oil, gasoline, liquid fertilizer, chemicals,
similar liquids and hazardous substances shall comply with the requirements of
the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and
other hazardous substance legislation by the Federal government. The user of
such material shall have documents from the above offices that the use is in
compliance. All existing above ground liquid storage tanks with a capacity of
2,000 gallons or more, shall comply with the requirements of the Minnesota State
Fire Marshal's office within 12 months following enactment of this Ordinance.
j) Screening. All mechanical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment,
and refuse storage areas shall be screened and in a suitable location.
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k) Lighting. All lighting shall be hooded and no light may directly strike any
street/highway or areas outside of the development.
l) Landscaping. In addition to requirements relating to parking lots, the
Development Plan shall show a unified landscaping scheme for the development.
m) Spoil/Construction piles. Properties annexed to the City of St. Joseph that were
governed by the 1997 Orderly Annexation Agreement where the main use of the
property is for business related to or reliant upon storage/use of construction
material shall be allowed to continue to store material on site provided the
material is stored in the rear yard.
Amended 9/2018
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St. Joseph Downtown Revitalization
Design Standards Committee
Urban Environs Work Group
Ernie Diedrich, Committee Chair
Maureen Forsythe
Michael Gohman
David Hunger
Amy Kluesner
Matt Lindstrom
Steve Paasch
Colleen Petters
Kurt Schneider
Cynthia Smith-Strack
Ellen Wahlstrom
Dale Wick
Final Report
September 2007
GREATER DOWNTOWN
AREA
CORE DOWNTOWN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Content Page
I. Introduction & Purpose 3
II. Definitions 4
III. St. Joseph’s Downtown 5
IV. Methodology 5
V. Design Guidelines 8
VI. Recommended goals 13
VII. Development of Greater Downtown 15
VIII. Conclusion 15
IX. Appendices 16
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I. Introduction and Purpose of this Report
In 2006, the City of Saint Joseph started a process to revitalize the downtown area so
that the downtown could remain the cornerstone of the community. For a city to be vital,
it should have a central place where its residents come together on important occasions,
and where they enjoy meeting each other in their everyday comings and goings.
Our citizen committee, the Urban Environs Work Group, was charged with establishing
design standards for the downtown area to guide people wishing to refurbish existing
buildings or build new ones. Design standards provide a basis for making design decisions
in an area that is typically a city’s historical center. They are also a planning tool for
property owners and design professionals who want to make improvements that may
affect historic resources.
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II. Definitions.
Clapboard: Exterior wood (usually cedar or redwood) horizontal siding with beveled
edges which overlap.
Decorative concrete block: A structural masonry unit or veneer that is impregnated with color and
features a textured surface (e.g. split face, rock face, brick face).
Design guideline:
Design guidelines are strongly recommended yet discretionary policies that
guide more subjective considerations, such as district character, design
details, or architectural style. They serve as design criteria for review by
City Staff, an architectural review board, the Planning Commission, and
City Council.
Development standard:
Development standards address those aspects of site development and
building design that are essential to maintain and reinforce the character of
each district. They include permitted uses, building height, facade
treatment, setbacks, and parking, sign, and landscaping specifications.
These standards should be legally defensible and implemented through the
City's development regulations.
Hardiplank siding:
Exterior siding material comprised of compressed wood fiber, adhesives
and/or cement applied to planks or sheets of wood and cut to resemble
clapboard.
Historic plaque: Plaque designating the name of a building, occupant and/or date of
erection cut into or attached to a building surface.
Masonite siding: Engineered wood product made from wood fiber, wax, resins and a
hardboard overlay.
Masonry veneer:
A think layer of masonry attached to a framework of wood, steel or rough
masonry for the pubose of providing ornamenttation, protection or
insulation but not counted as addingg strength to a wall.
Panelized brick: Preassembed, curtain-wall type brick veneer.
Split face block: See definition for "Decorative Concrete Block".
Standard concrete block:
Also known as cinder block. A hollow masonry unit (non-colored or
textured) made of concrete mixes with ashes commonly used in
foundations.
Three dimensional signage: Projecting signs attached to a horizontal wall and projecting outward
vertically therefrom.
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III. Saint Joseph’s Downtown
As indicated in the Introduction, the downtown is seen to need revitalization. Saint
Joseph’s downtown, as the photographs in Appendix A readily show, is a collection of
mixed uses along Minnesota Street and College Avenue. The downtown is oriented to
pedestrians but challenged by heavy through traffic, a subdued “sense of place” and a
non-uniform streetscape.
During the Comprehensive Planning Process, survey respondents and neighborhood
meeting participants stated a number of challenges and opportunities facing the city over
the next few years. Among these challenges were retaining locally-owned businesses,
creating an attractive downtown area, optimizing the use of downtown space and keeping
downtown lively with a range of activities. When asked what one major improvement
would make living in St. Joseph better for them, almost 70% supported the notion of an
economically and socially viable and vibrant downtown that would preserve downtown
“Americana.”
This committee spent one meeting doing a Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
(SWOT) analysis (summarized in Appendix B) that confirmed for the Urban Environs Work
Group that downtown Saint Joseph needs revitalization.
IV. Methodology
A. Defining the Downtown.
Our first step was to establish the scope of our task by defining what we
understand to be “Downtown. “ We did this by defining the Core Downtown
and the Greater Downtown areas.
GREATER DOWNTOWN
AREA
CORE DOWNTOWN
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We augmented the City’s definition of the Core Downtown to include the
following: Both sides of Minnesota Street between College Avenue and First
Avenue and bounded by Ash Street with extensions on College Avenue to Ash
Street and to just a little beyond Kennedy School.
The Greater Downtown Area expands to Birch Street on the north and to
Kennedy School on the South.
The Urban Environs Committee will focus on establishing design standards
primarily for the Core Downtown Area and will not deal with ways to further
develop the Greater Downtown Area.
B. What Has Been Done Already?
Our second task was to examine what has already been done by the 1995 visit
of the Minnesota Design Team and more recently (2005), the adoption of the
Comprehensive Plan by the City of Saint Joseph. The Minnesota Design Team
held a community visioning process and their design charette resulted in a
report that provided a vision for “A Great Good Place” which summarized rules
of thumb for a “great good place”:
1. Convenience with nearby parking
2. Locally owned businesses
3. Compact and walkable
4. Recognized as the Center
To that end, the renewed vision the Design Team gave us included:
1. Compact center that links Minnesota St. to Hwy 75
2. New investment directed to the Center
3. Shared parking behind center businesses
4. Walkways link college, Church and the Center
The Urban Environs Committee, in effect, adopts similar ideas about the
Downtown area in its deliberations about design standards.
C. What Would Make the Core Downtown Look Better?
The third step was to discuss design elements that coincided with the Design
Team drawings and could improve the downtown significantly. These are listed
in Appendix D and are woven in with the short-term and long-term
recommendations.
Our final step was to incorporate these design elements into a systematic set of
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design guidelines and standards. After looking at numerous sites on the internet
and investigating what other cities have adopted as guidelines and standards
(see Appendix E), we developed a “blend” of guidelines and standards from other
cities that follow in part V.
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V. Design Guidelines
A. Goals
1. Preserve the small town, unique character of St. Joseph
2. Complement the existing historic architecture
3. Enhance the pedestrian experience of downtown and encourage
streetscapes that are inviting
4. Ensure that the design standards articulate the community’s vision for a main
street area
5. Consider “sustainable design” in all changes (see Appendix C for an
explanation of sustainable design)
6. Protect property values by listing and specifying desirable attributes of
characteristics that define a building’s quality.
7. Finally, the design standards should apply to the following:
a. All new building construction
b. All exterior building improvements and signage changes that require a
building/sign permit
c. All new or reconstructed parking areas with 5 or more spaces
B. Specific Standards
1. Store Front Building Materials
The historic character of a property should be retained and preserved.
The removal of historic materials or alteration of features that
characterize the property should be avoided. The following materials
are recommended:
a. Brick or brick veneer
b. Decorative Concrete block
c. Stone
d. Wood - minimum amount and is to be painted and maintained
e. Stucco
f. Maintained clapboard, hardiplank
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g. Large windows
The following building materials are not recommended:
a. Standard concrete block
b. Vinyl/ steel siding
c. Unfinished wood
d. Painted or panelized brick
e. Masonite
2. Windows and Floors
a. Large open views into the commercial spaces are encouraged to
enhance the pedestrian experience by providing a visual connection to
the use inside the building.
b. Restoration or renovation of a storefront should be mindful of its original
character.
c. Installing window air conditioners is inappropriate.
d. Windows and doors are recommended in the rear façade for use of rear
lot area.
3. Building Setbacks
A storefront is recommended to be at the property line or even with the
adjacent property and the storefront should be less than five feet from the
property line.
4. Parking
a. Off street parking should not occur in the front yard.
b. Parking should be accommodated at the rear of lots and on shared city
lots.
c. The city should assure that ample on street and off-street parking is
available throughout the downtown area
d. Green parking buffers such as hedges and berms are encouraged. The
buffer area on parking lots should be a minimum of 5’ wide to provide
adequate space for the trees, railing or wall and snow storage. The
street wall should be maintained across the parking lot street frontages
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by using overstory trees, hedges, berms, ornamental fencing and/or
structural screens.
5. Utility Screening
Ground-mounted mechanical equipment and dumpsters should be screened
with plants, walls or fencing.
6. Landscaping
a. Hanging baskets and planters are encouraged along storefronts.
b. The city of St. Joseph should develop a plan to provide trees and
planters as part of the streetscape along the downtown district.
7. Signs
a. Business signs will conform to the established city sign ordinance.
b. Appropriately sized symbolic and historic three-dimensional signage is
encouraged.
c. Downtown area informational signage (e.g. business location) is
encouraged. Informational kiosks may compliment the downtown
atmosphere.
d. Historic plaques showing the history of the building are encouraged.
8. Lighting
a. Building and signage lighting should be indirect, with the light sources
hidden from direct pedestrian and motorist view. Lighting should serve
to illuminate facades, entrances and signage and provide an adequate
level of personal safety while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the
building.
b. The City should provide light fixtures that reflect the historic character
and continuity of downtown.
9. Maintenance
a. Buildings in the downtown area should be well-maintained and
kept in good repair.
b. Painted surfaces are to be maintained.
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c. Deteriorated historic features should be restored/repaired rather than
replaced. When the severity of the deteriorating requires replacement of
a distinctive feature, the new feature should match the old in design,
color, texture, and visual qualities and where possible, materials.
d. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause
damage to historic materials should not be used. The surface cleaning
of structures should be undertaken using the gentlest and
environmentally responsible means possible.
e. If masonry has deteriorated, re-pointing or replacement may be
required. All work and replacement should match the existing masonry
as closely as possible in style, color, type, bond pattern and size. When
re-pointing, a mortar appropriate for the brick type should be used and
match the existing mortar color.
f. Masonry should not be painted or covered with false facades.
10. Rear Entry/Egress
a. Access at rear of building from parking areas is encouraged.
b. The back of buildings ought to be maintained.
11. Awnings
a. Awning design ought to be historically appropriate and complementary
to the building and to surrounding buildings.
b. Awnings should project a minimum of 3' from the building.
c. Awnings should not extend across multiple storefronts unless consistent
or complimentary with building design.
d. Back lighting of the awning is discouraged.
e. Awnings to be constructed of durable, protective, and water repellant
materials.
f. Awnings ought to be made of canvas or materials that are compatible
with the original structure. Metal, shingles, plastic, fiberglass or shed
roofs are discouraged.
12. Building Scale/Height
a. Building bulk and scale ought to be in a sympathetic arrangement.
b. Buildings ought to have a height similar to adjacent buildings.
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13. Fencing
a. Chain link, split rail or standard concrete block fences are strongly
discouraged.
b. Acceptable fence/wall materials are brick, cut or carved stone,
decorative or split face block and wrought iron. Green fences/hedges
are encouraged.
14. Roofs
a. Material and color of roofs ought to be consistent with the rest of the
structure and adjacent properties.
b. Green roofs are encouraged, if they are structurally feasible and don’t
create additional problems such as drainage.
15. Color
Colors should be from a historic color selection and should compliment the
age and style of the structure. Property owners should limit the number of
colors on a single structure. Loud and highly contrasting colors are
discouraged; subtle, neutral or earth tones colors with low reflectance are
preferred.
16. Franchise
Franchises or national chains are to follow these standards to create
buildings compatible with the downtown area.
17. Sidewalks/Streetscape
a. Sidewalk bump outs, planters and distinct paving at intersections and
crosswalks are encouraged.
b. Bike rack locations ought to be provided.
c. The use of pavers and other texture materials are encouraged.
d. Wider sidewalks if possible are encouraged.
e. The City should adopt standards for streetscape elements to provide
uniformity throughout the downtown area. This would include benches,
directional signage, trash receptacles, fencing, planters, and parking lot
buffers.
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VI. Recommended Steps
Taking the design considerations listed in Parts IV and V into account, the Urban Environs
Committee proposes the following short-term and longer-term steps in the revitalization of
the downtown area. All these recommendations should incorporate sustainable design to
ensure energy savings and the conservation of resources.
A. Short-Term Projects
1. For the purposes of this report, the short-term is judged to be 1-2 years and
the projects on this list are not in order of priority, though we suggest the
city create a streetscape plan as soon as possible to prioritize and
implement this suggested list of projects.
2. Adopt a downtown logo and slogan to connect with signage, banners, etc.
in the downtown area (to give the downtown a “brand”).
3. Install historical plaques showing the history of buildings along Minnesota
street. The plaques provide a pedestrian with a reason to stop in downtown
and take an interest in the building and the activities going on inside.
4. Adopt a consistent awning design on Minnesota and College streets. This
provides an immediate visual connection between buildings in the
downtown area. This committee chose not to dictate materials, colors or
designs. What’s most important is that there is the intent to visually link
awnings in some way.
5. Attach banners (with the downtown brand) on decorative lampposts along
Minnesota Street.
6. Install directional signage (with the Downtown brand) coming from Highway
94 as well as Hwy 75.
7. Install planters, benches and trees on both sides of the downtown streets
B. Longer-Term Steps
1. Bury or relocate the power/telephone cables and if poles or support
structures are needed, choose the most visually interesting type.
2. Address vehicle and pedestrian separation downtown…perhaps with wider
sidewalks or planters or bushes.
3. Install traffic-calming bump-outs in the corridor between the church and the
alley and mark with planters or a pedestrian crossing (paint stripes on the
road).
4. Require facades behind main street buildings and dress up parking spaces
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with planters and some unifying element in the Saint Joseph “back yard”
such as benches, a fountain or a flagpole. See the Minnesota Design Team
suggestions for further ideas.
5. Buffer the Parish parking lot with bushes/trees, benches or a fountain or an
information kiosk.
6. Install a connection between both sides of Main Street with an arch over the
alley between Loso’s and the old First State Bank Building and a
corresponding feature/arch across the street. Part of this was envisioned by
the Minnesota Design Team’s visit many years ago.
7. Investigate diagonal parking on Minnesota Street to see if tradeoffs can be
found (e.g., less parking on the Church side and more parking on the
commercial side)
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VII. Developing the Greater Downtown Area
Our committee spent most of our time on the Core Downtown area so this section has not
been developed. What we suggest is that the Greater Downtown area, as defined in the
graphic on the title page, be subject to greater infill in order to provide for a better
transition to the commercial area adjacent to Hwy 75 and to those areas immediately
surrounding the Core downtown area.
VIII. Conclusion
Given the rapid commercial development on Highway 75, the housing development to the
north of Hwy. 75, the impending development near the College of St. Benedict, the new,
“green” elementary school and the low level of investment in the Downtown area, Saint
Joseph is in danger of losing its identified center unless downtown revitalization takes
place.
Our committee was charged with developing design standards for the downtown so that
the overall effect of new investment in old buildings as well as investment in new buildings
leaves the downtown looking better than it currently does. These standards, developed in
Part V, highlight the historical center of Saint Joseph and embrace the idea that a
downtown should encourage a sense of place by facilitating citizen interactions as well as
providing an attractive and welcoming place for visitors.
Finally, we also have added a list of short-term and long-term recommendations that are
consistent with the design standards and would help keep the small town character of
Saint Joseph as well as make it a more attractive city for newcomers, for our regular
guests (CSB and SJU students), and for casual visitors looking for an attractive place to
visit for awhile.
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IX. Appendices
Appendix A: A Snapshot in Time
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Appendix B: SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
College
Monastery
Post office
Parking
Walkable distance
Focus on downtown efforts
Redevelopment
Trees
Meat Market
Back lot potential
New light poles
Architecture
Weaknesses:
“Linger” deficit
Lack of consistence of awning
Lack of visual interest
Cable lines
Telephone wires
Setbacks are inconsistent – lack of street wall
Empty lots
Lack of visual interest
Telephone Poles (tall one)
Insufficient pedestrian vehicle separation
Narrow sidewalk
No bike racks
Raggedy
Imbalance of church and downtown stores
Number of bars
Store hours of operation
Empty lots
Unattractive buildings
Different roof alignments
Opportunities:
CSB Investment
Development
Cooperation
Old Kennedy school
Façade standards
Greenspace
More retail
Growth-new business and more people
Mixed housing
Streetscapes
Link Lake Wobegon and downtown
Tourist attraction- combined with college events
Anchor- library or community Center
Walkable entrance into the college
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Threats:
Limit Activities
Cost/money
Fear of college
Lack of Density towards HWY 75
Transportation
No incentives for improvements
Competitions with St. Cloud and surround cities
Lack of parking
Town-Gown-cooperation in revitalization effort
Tour of Saints-other Recreation efforts
Field Street and other transportation issues
Car traffic
Misperception of HWY 75 as Downtown.
Industrial park deter people from coming into town
Lack of interest
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Appendix C: Sustainable Design
Sustainable design (also referred to as “green design) as applied to buildings is the art of
designing buildings that comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological
sustainability. The essential aim of sustainable design is to produce buildings in a way
that reduces the use of non-renewable resources, minimize environmental impact, and
relates people to the natural environment. It involves using tools such as life cycle
assessment and life cycle energy analysis to judge or rate the environmental impact of
various design choices. Green design is considered a means of reducing or eliminating
the impact on the environment while maintaining quality of life by using careful
assessment to substitute less harmful products and processes for conventional ones.
Sustainable design attempts to reduce the collective environmental impacts during the
construction process, as well as during the lifecycle of the building (heating, electricity
use, carpet cleaning, etc.). This design practice emphasizes efficiency of heating and
cooling systems, alternative energy sources such as passive solar, building siting,
reused or recycled materials, on-site power generation (solar technology, ground source
heat pumps, wind power), rainwater harvesting for gardening and washing and on-site
waste management such as green roofs that filter and control storm water runoff.
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20
Appendix D: Desired Design Elements
Wider sidewalks
Historical brass plaques showing the history of buildings along Minnesota Street
Consistent canopy design…wraps around towards Bo Diddley’s and the new
building site (Laundromat)
Traffic calming bump-outs for people walking out of the church flanked by planters
Burying the power/telephone cables
Assuring a consistent façade with clapboard and colors
A wrought-iron arch over the alley between Loso’s and the old bank building
Consistent facades behind main street buildings as well as some unifying element
in Saint. Joseph’s backyard “plaza” (e.g., a flagpole planters, etc.)
Infill park, sitting area
In all changes, a focus on green design
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21
Appendix E: Common Design Elements from Several Cities
The following represents some of the common design elements found in a number of
design criteria adopted by other cities. These cities include: Walla Walla, Washington;
Hayden, Idaho; Normal, Illinois; Mankato, Minnesota; Hopkins, Minnesota; Livermore,
California; Conway, Arkansas; and, Burien, Washington.
All buildings should be oriented to the street with commercial activities occupying
the ground level.
Housing will be encouraged as needed to undertake redevelopment of parcels.
An ample supply of on and off-street parking will be located throughout the Core.
Public spaces will be used to provide beauty and places to gather.
Buildings with more than one story.
Large storefront windows that allow people to see activity within a building.
Shop doors that add character to each building.
Use facades, awnings and windows for business signs in a manner that supports
the overall character of the setting.
A setting that supports both automobile and pedestrian movement.
Maintain and enhance building character and facades.
Require any new development to occur at street front. (Do not allow traditional
suburban site design with parking between street and building)
Make improvements to parking areas on “back” side.
Work with property owners to encourage improvements to rear facades and the
creation of rear entrances adjacent to parking areas.
The retail functions of the postal service should be kept in Downtown.
Establish pedestrian crossings with supporting sidewalk/trail connections
Use the Comprehensive Plan and land use controls to establish strong edges that
prevent the incremental conversion of property to nonresidential uses.
Use regulations and financial incentives to promote property maintenance and to
prevent undesired uses of property.
Make streetscape improvements to enhance street as corridor to Downtown.
Enhance opportunity for pedestrian and bicycle use.
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22
Curb “bump outs” at street intersections aid with pedestrian crossing and help to
calm traffic.
Parking is an important ingredient of a successful Downtown. Parking in the
Downtown must be available, well distributed and free.
Parking must be viewed as an asset of the entire Downtown, not of individual
properties.
Downtown should encourage customers to visit multiple businesses, not just a
single stop.
Informational signs related to the use of the parking area.
The Downtown Special Service District is the best means for funding the public
parking system. The calculation of the service charge is based on the annual
budget for the Service District. Operating costs would include the recapture of land
costs, maintenance, snow removal and capital improvements. These costs are
converted to a cost per space. This cost factor is assigned to properties according
to the total spaces required by ordinance minus any spaces provided directly by
the parcel.
The service charge applies solely to non-residential property. State law limits the
application of a service charge only to property that is classified for property
taxation and used for commercial, industrial, or public utility purposes, or is vacant
land zoned or designated on a land use plan for commercial or industrial use.
Add other improvements that enhance the experience of visiting Downtown, such
as benches, waste containers and bicycle racks.
The design for a way finding system should be established for both Downtown and
applications outside of the Downtown.
A higher standard of cleaning and snow removal may be expected in Downtown.
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Planning Commission Agenda Item 07a
MEETING DATE: March 13th, 2023
AGENDA ITEM: Outdoor wood boilers
SUBMITTED BY: Community Development
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Review sample ordinances and drafted ordinance
PREVIOUS PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: None
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Per direction from PC at the last meeting staff has drafted an ordinance which covers:
• All outdoor boilers shall meet EPA standards
• Definition of clean fuel shall be added and only clean fuel shall be used for boilers
• Place language within accessory structure section
• Do not specify the district which boilers can be used
Attorney has not reviewed drafted ordinance. It was however suggested that if the city wants to
add more teeth to enforcement adopting an ordinance to restrict or severly prohibit will help
eliminate potential nuisances caused by these structures. Like any Ordinance whatever is placed
in code should be enforceable. Staff have some reservations on how the EPA standards and
emmissions would be effectively monitored and enforced.
Within the drafted ordinance staff also placed a 40 foot setback. This helps place a standard on
spacing with intent to lessen the nuisances caused within a dense neighborhood setting (since the
Commission did not want to restrict the appropriate Zoning district).
Commission can also recommend to not proceed with an ordinance. Please note this is not a high
priority but staff have received complaints and are trying to address the issue pro-actively.
Therefore this is coming to the Commission in a pro-active nature. It should be noted too that
neighboring cities prohibit these structures (Sartell, Sauk Rapids, etc.)
ATTACHMENTS: Sample ordinances
Additional ordinances can be found at:
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/aq1-60a.pdf
MPCA report - https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/aq-ei4-
47.pdf
REQUESTED PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Review drafted ordinance and provide
recommendation on language and whether or not an ordinance shall be pursued at this time.
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DRAFTED ORDINANCE LANGUAGE
New language in Red
Section 502.04: RULES AND DEFINITIONS
ADD FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS
Outdoor wood boiler- An appliance installed out-doors and designed to transfer or provide heat,
via liquid or other means, through the burning of clean fuel for heating purposes. Also known as
outdoor hydronic heaters. Outdoor wood boiler does not include a fire pit or wood-fired
barbeque.
Clean fuel - Natural dry wood (which has not been painted, varnished or coated with a similar
material, has not been pressure-treated with preservatives and does not contain artificial resins
or glues as in plywood or other composite wood products), corn, wood pellets, other fuel pellets
and other solid fuels approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Section 502.12: GENERAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The intent of this section of the zoning ordinance is to establish general development
performance standards. The regulations provided herein shall apply equally to all districts except
where special provisions provide otherwise.
Subd. 1: Accessory Buildings in Residential Districts.
a) Detached accessory buildings shall be located in the rear yard.
b) Detached accessory buildings which are greater than fifty (50) square feet, but less than
two-hundred (200) square feet shall require a zoning permit.
c) Detached accessory buildings two-hundred (200) square feet or greater shall require a
building permit.
d) Attached accessory buildings and structures shall comply with the setback regulations in
the respective zoning district. Detached accessory buildings shall be setback a minimum of ten
feet (10’) from the rear and side yard lot lines, except that on corner lots shall have a side yard
setback of twenty feet (20’) feet from the property line on the intersecting street. Accessory
buildings shall not be located over any easement. Any accessory building proposed to be within
five feet, overhang to overhang of the principal building or the wall and soffit area of the
accessory building that is within five feet of the principal building shall be constructed to a one-
hour fire rating.
e) Accessory buildings shall not to exceed over one (l) story or sixteen (16) feet in height,
whichever is less.
f) All garages shall, if the vehicle entrance backs upon a public alley, be setback at least ten
(10) feet from the public alley right-of-way.
g) In no case shall the door of any structure, building, fence or improvement be erected or
constructed so as to extend beyond any lot line.
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h) In business and manufacturing districts, accessory buildings and uses may occupy any of
the ground area which the principal building is permitted to occupy. Accessory buildings such as
buildings for parking attendants, guard shelters, gate houses and transformer buildings, may be
located in the front or side yard in the Industrial District.
i) Within the R-1, R-2 and R-4 districts no detached accessory structures, shall
exceed the maximum lot coverage requirements outlined within the respective
districts or the maximum allowable accessory structure square footage (floor area)
as shown in table 1:
Size of Lot Maximum allowable square footage
(floor area
0 - .5 acres 1,200
.51 acres – 1 acre 1,800
1.1 acres – 2 acres 2,200
2.1 acres and greater No limits as long as lot coverage
requirements are not exceeded.
Table 1
j) Within the R-1, R-2, and R-4 districts no lot may have more than two (2) accessory
buildings, excluding decks, porches and patios.
k) Accessory building of less than fifty (50) square feet shall not be considered when
computing the limitations of paragraph i. and j. above; but the combined area of accessory
building of less than 50 square feet shall not exceed a total of 100 square feet.
l) The same or similar exterior building material (such as siding, shingles, etc.) shall be
used on the accessory building and the principal building except for sheds that are 100 square
feet. Metal roofs are allowed provided they are constructed within standing seams and concealed
or exposed fasteners. Sheds 200 square feet or less shall be anchored through a manufacturer’s
approved anchoring kit.
m) Pole barns and hoop tubular frame buildings are prohibited.
n) Outdoor wood boiler systems.
1. An outdoor wood boiler shall be allowed as a permitted accessory structure
subject to the following provisions:
A. A building permit must be obtained to assure that all outdoor wood
boilers meet all Minnesota State Building and Fire Codes, and
manufacturer's specifications for installation, and the permit application
must include:
1. A site plan or survey, illustrating the dimensions of the
property, including location of buildings and the wood boiler
relative to the lot lines.
2. Manufacturer's specifications for installation.
B. An outdoor wood boiler shall be located at least 40 feet from all
property lines.
C. An outdoor wood boiler shall not be operated or maintained in a
manner which creates a public nuisance.
D. Outdoor storage of clean fuel shall be in compliance with City Code
requirements.
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E. All requirements for installation and maintenance of the outdoor wood
boilers shall be met, including but not limited to local, state and federal
regulations and manufacturer's specifications.
F. All existing solid fuel units installed within the City limits at the time of
adoption of this ordinance or annexed into the City limits following the
adoption of this ordinance are required to meet emission standards
currently required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which
are hereby adopted by reference together with any amendments or
modifications made to them in the future.
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SAMPLE ORDINANCES
SARTELL
4-6-2
I. Smoke, Fumes: Dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas and soot or cinders in unreasonable
quantities as stated by State and Federal air quality standards & to include the following:
1) Outdoor Solid Fuel Heating Device: A device, structure, or apparatus, which supplies
direct or indirect heat from the burning of solid fuel, including but not limited to wood, to
a building.
2) Stacks or Chimneys: Any vertical structure enclosing a flue or flues that carry off
smoke or
exhaust from a solid fuel fired heating.
3) Outdoor solid fuel heating devices are prohibited and shall not be installed or operated
within the City of Sartell.
4) All existing solid fuel units installed within the City limits at the time of adoption of
this ordinance or annexed into the City limits following the adoption of this ordinance are
required to meet emission standards currently required by the Environmental Protection
Agency(EPA), which are hereby adopted by reference together with any amendments or
modifications made to them in the future.
A) The minimum stack height for any solid fuel-fired heating device shall meet or exceed
the manufacturer’s guidelines.
B) Any existing non-complying stack shall be removed, replaced, or modified within a
period of 60 days from the receipt of a notice generated from the Building Official.
C) All stacks or chimneys must be constructed to withstand high winds or other related
elements.
D) Outdoor solid fuel heating devices may only be used from September 1st to May 31st
each year, unless the furnace is being used to provide domestic water service.
E) Only the following materials may be burned in the outdoor solid fuel heating devices:
biomass pellets, corn, firewood, and clean, untreated lumber or other wood product.
F) No outdoor solid fuel-heating device shall be utilized in any manner as a waste
incinerator.
SAUK RAPIDS
SECTION 8.08 OUTDOOR SOLID FUEL HEATING DEVICES.
Subd. 1. Definitions.
Outdoor Solid Fuel Heating Device: A device, structure, or apparatus, which supplies direct or
indirect heat from the burning of solid fuel, including but not limited to wood, to a building.
Stacks Or Chimneys: Any vertical structure enclosing a flue or flues that carry off smoke or
exhaust from a solid fuel fired heating.
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Subd. 2. Outdoor solid fuel heating devices are prohibited and shall not be installed or
operated within the City of Sauk Rapids.
Subd. 3. All existing solid fuel units installed within City limits at the time of adoption of
this ordinance are required to meet emission standards currently required by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), which are hereby adopted by reference together with any amendments
or modifications made to them in the future.
A. The minimum stack height for any solid fuel-fired heating device shall meet or exceed the
manufacturers’ guidelines.
B. Any existing non-complying stack shall be removed, replaced, or modified within a period
of 60 days from the receipt of a notice generated from the Building Official.
C. All stacks or chimneys must be constructed to withstand high winds or other related
elements.
D. Outdoor solid fuel heating devices may only be used from September 1ST to May 31ST each
year, unless the furnace is being used to provide domestic water service.
E. Only the following materials may be burned in the outdoor solid fuel heating devices:
biomass pellets, corn, firewood, and clean, untreated lumber or other wood product.
F. No outdoor solid fuel-heating device shall be utilized in any manner as a waste incinerator.
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EAGAN
Subd. 10.
Outdoor wood boiler systems.
A.Purpose. This section is intended to ensure that outdoor wood boilers are utilized in a manner
that does not create a public nuisance and is not detrimental to the health, safety and general
welfare of the residents of the city.
B.Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
1.Clean fuel. Natural dry wood (which has not been painted, varnished or coated with a
similar material, has not been pressure-treated with preservatives and does not contain
artificial resins or glues as in plywood or other composite wood products), corn, wood
pellets, other fuel pellets and other solid fuels approved by the Environmental Protection
Agency.
2.Outdoor wood boiler. An appliance installed out-of-doors and designed to transfer or
provide heat, via liquid or other means, through the burning of clean fuel for heating
purposes. Also known as outdoor hydronic heaters. Outdoor wood boiler does not include
a fire pit or wood-fired barbeque.
3.Public nuisance. An outdoor wood boiler operated or maintained in a manner which
creates any dense smoke, noxious fumes or noxious gas, or releases soot or cinders in
unreasonable quantities.
C.Regulations and requirements. An outdoor wood boiler shall be allowed as a use in all
zoning districts, subject to the following provisions:
1.A building permit must be obtained to assure that all outdoor wood boilers meet
all Minnesota State Building and Fire Codes, and manufacturer's specifications
for installation, and the permit application must include:
(a)A site plan or survey, illustrating the dimensions of the property,
including location of buildings and the wood boiler relative to the lot lines.
(b)Manufacturer's specifications for installation.
(c)Applicable building permit fee.
2.An outdoor wood boiler shall be located at least 300 feet from all property lines.
3.An outdoor wood boiler shall not be operated or maintained in a manner which
creates a public nuisance.
4.An outdoor wood boiler shall burn clean fuel only.
5.Outdoor storage of clean fuel shall be in compliance with City Code
requirements.
6.All requirements for installation and maintenance of the outdoor wood boilers
shall be met, including but not limited to local, state and federal regulations and
manufacturer's specifications.
D.Existing outdoor wood boiler systems. Outdoor wood boilers installed prior to the
adoption of this subdivision shall be operated in compliance with the requirements of this
subdivision, except that the distance requirement set forth in subsection (C) above shall
not apply.
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