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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.08.22August 8th, 2022 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met On Monday, August 8th, 2022 at 6:00 PM. in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Planning Commission Members Present Commissioners Mike.Osterman, Carmie Mick, Keith Louwagie, Bob Loso, Anne Jarrell Staff Present: Nate Keller, Community Development Director Others in attendance: Byron Bjorklund (Storage Link Applicant), John Quade (Knife River applicant) Approval of the Agenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Osterman and passed unanimously by those present. Approval of the Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of June 13t", 2022. The motion was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously by those present. New Business: a. Comprehensive Plan Compliance Keller explained MN State Statute requires the Planning Commission to review land transactions in conformance to the City. Comprehensive Plan. The city is considering purchasing a portion of property located off of 8th Ave NE (PID 84.53360.0006) therefore a recommendation from Planning Commission is needed. Keller explained the purchase would be for future R/W roadway needs. Loso made a motion to approve Planning Commission Resolution 2022-001 which finds the purchase consistent and in compliance with the City Comprehensive Plan. The motion was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously, by those present. b. PUBLIC HEARING —Knife River— Variance Knife River is proposing to extend railroad tracks through property they own identified as parcel 84.53547.0400 (located off future 24th Ave NE). Due to the location of three separate wetland areas the railroad tracks will encroach into the required 50-foot wetland setback. The Commission asked about: wetland buffers, wetland protection 'measures before, during, and after construction, state requirements, material that will be transported on the tracks, and best practices for appropriate wetland setbacks. John Quade who represented Knife River also helped answer some of the Commission's questions. Mick opened the public hearing. Floodplains were discussed and how this may impact the proposal. Keller responded that there are no floodplainswithin the property. Upon no one else wishing to speak Mick closed the public hearing. Loso made a motion to approve the Finding of Fact Resolution PC2022-001 approving the variance to the wetland setback requirements. The motion was seconded by Mick and passed unanimously by those present. c. PUBLIC HEARING — Storage Link — Variance Staff has been working with Storage Link over the past couple of months regarding their parcel off 8th Ave NE (Parcel ID 84.53360.0006). The goal has been to: 1. Preserver the owner's ability to develop the parcel as originally intended 2. Preserve the Council's directive to reserve the needed right of way for the future Elm St connection. Both staff and the owner have come to an agreeable plan. The revised plan however would require variances to the side and front yard setbacks. Required setbacks are 25' sides, and 30' front. The plan would have multiple buildings less then 25' on the side and a front building setback at 20'. Keller August 8th, 2022 Page 2 of 2 explained the variances are in anticipation and presuming that the city moves forward with the purchase of portions of the property. Mick opened the public hearing Byron Bjorklund (owner and applicant from Storage Link) spoke and thanked the city for working tirelessly in getting to a plan that works for both parties. Upon no one else wishing to speak Mick closed the public hearing. Mick made a motion to approve the Finding of Fact Resolution PC 2022-002 approving the front and side yard setback requirements for the subject property. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. d. Downtown Parking Study As the city continues to redevelop its downtown some additional planning and evaluation may need to occur as it relates to parking needs (both in the present and future). Staff has heard concerns tied to: quantity of parking available specifically at peak times, location of parking, two-hour parking limits and enforcement of limits. Therefore, Keller wanted to ask for Planning Commission input on a potential Comprehensive Parking study. The goals of the study would be to look at: ➢ Evaluating the current parking demands and needs through qualitative assessment ➢ Evaluate future parking demands and needs ➢ Evaluate the best locations to meet future parking needs Planning Commission members along with downtown business owners, staff, elected officials, residents, and others would lead the study as part of a Task Force. Much discussion occurred from the Commission related to: expectations of parking in downtown, current parking ordinances, goals of a study like this, potential outcomes of a study, costs of a study, current parking areas and needs in downtown, and purpose of the study. The overall consensus of the Commission was to not pursue the study at this time but instead look to see if there are other ways to evaluate and accomplish some of the goals a study would determine. Perhaps this includes working with our current Engineer on evaluation and/or partnering with the college to do some of the qualitative evaluations. There was also doubts expressed on whether a study would tell the city anything different then what is already known. Other Business: Keller informed the Commission about the grant for East Park that was successfully obtained through the DNR Outdoor Recreation grant program. Keller also explained the request for more funding has been submitted to the Legislative Citizens Commission. Adiourn: Jarrell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 PM. The motion was seconded by Osterman and the motion carried. Minutes drafted and approved by: Nate Keller Community Development Director