HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.11.22January 11th, 2022
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met
On Monday, January 11 th, 2022 at 6:01 PM. in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Planninq Commission Members Present: Commissioners Mike Osterman, Carmie Mick, Gina Dullinger,
Anne Jarrell
Absent: Bob Loso -
Staff Present: Nate Keller Community Development Director
Approval of the Agenda: Dullinger made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded
by Mick and passed unanimously by those present.
Approval of the Minutes: Mick made a motion to approve the minutes of December 13th, 2021. The
motion was seconded by Jarrell and passed unanimously by those present.
New Business:
a. Appoint Chair and Co -Chair
These are volunteer positions. Two members volunteered.
Dullinger motioned to appoint herself to serve as Chair and Carmie Mick as Co- Chair; seconded
by Osterman and passed unanimously.
b. Public Hearing, Variance side yard setbacks Frieler
Gerald Frieler has submitted a request for a variance for a property at 713 1st Ave SW. This is zoned R-1
single family. City ordinance 502.30 Subd. 6 B) requires all single-family homes to be setback at least 10'
from interior side lot lines. Mr. Frieler is proposing to be 8.66' from the North and South side lot line. Keller
also made note that 502.12 Subd. 6 H requires properties zoned R-1 to have an attached or detached
garage that is at least 20 feet in width and 22 feet in depth.
A variance may be granted if enforcement of a zoning ordinance provision on a particular property would
cause the landowner practical difficulties as defined by MN State Statute 462.357. The variance will be
permitted only if conditions are met. Those conditions are listed in the Planning Commission Packet.
Dullinger opened the public hearing at 6:07 PM.
Gerald Frieler, 140 Colman Court, spoke regarding his request. He is the owner of the land at 713 1st Ave
SW. The home that will be on this property is a manufactured home with an attached garage. The desire
for an attached garage is one of the reasons they are planning to move to the '1 st Avenue location from
their current home. Initially when they looked at the lot, they had thought they had enough space based
on the dimensions that were provided to them. He shared that a foot and a half does not sound like a lot
of space for this consideration.
Dullinger closed the public hearing at 6:09 PM, as no one else wished to speak.
The Commission discussed the proposed location of the home and garage, drainage, fencing and
character of the neighborhood. They also discussed how the landowner's situation fits into language of
State Statute 462.357.
Dullinger motioned to approve Resolution 2022-A Adopting Findings of Facts and Approve a
Variance to the Interior Side yard Setback Requirements in a R-1 Zoned District so long as the
Resolution is amended to include information on the City requirements as they relate garage
January 111h, 2022
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requirements; seconded by Jarrell and passed unanimously. Staff will add the language regarding
the garage.
Old Business: Keller shared that there will be two new Planning Commission members appointed by the
City Council at the next regular Council meeting.
Other Business: Keller shared that in the recent EDA work session
continued redevelopment of the downtown area was one of the topics. Currently some residential
properties are converting to commercial downtown zoned properties. Additionally, there is some
preliminary discussion of attracting a boutique hotel within the downtown area.
Ad'ourn: Dullinger moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 PM. The motion was seconded by Mick
and the motion carried.
Nate Keller
Community Development Director