HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.09.23October 9t", 2023
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met on
Monday, October 9t", 2023, at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioners, Keith Louwagie, Mark Thompson, Carmie
Mick, John Hazen, Bob Loso
Absent: Gina Dullinger, Isabella Margl
Staff Present: Nate Keller, Community Development Director
Public Comments: None.
Agenda Review & Adoption: Hazen made a motion to approve Agenda Review & Adoption. The
motion was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously by those present.
Approval of August 28t" minutes• Hazen made a motion to approve August 281" minutes. The motion
was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously by those present.
Approval of September 11t" minutes• Hazen made a motion to approve September 11t" minutes. The
motion was seconded by Louwagie and passed unanimously by those present.
Aye: Louwagie, Hazen, Mick, Thompson Motion Prevails 4:1
Abstain: Loso
New Business:
a. Public Hearing — Interim Use Permit — Heim-Kins, LLC
Keller shared Heim-Kins, LLC is requesting renewal of their Interim Use permit. Heim-Kins is located at
219 Cedar Street East. The property is zoned B-2 Highway district. The IUP allows for an outdoor market,
sale, and display of their merchandise. The IUP was originally issued in 2018.
The Commission discussed parking. Parking spaces on the west side of the building are difficult to utilize
when the parallel parking spots adjacent to the property are utilized.
Mick opened the Public Hearing at 6:10PM.
As no one wished to speak, Mick closed the Public Hearing at 6:11 PM.
Loso made a motion to Approve Resolution Adopting Findings of Fact recommending the City
Council issue an Interim Permit renewal for five years. The motion was seconded by Hazen and
passed unanimously by those present.
b. Public Hearing — Conditional Use Permit Summit Commons, LLC
Summit Commons; LLC has submitted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for outdoor storage. If approved,
the CUP would allow for outdoor storage of vehicles and recreation vehicles including boats, trailers,
atv's, etc. The applicant is proposing approximately 237 parking spaces. The site location is north of
highway 75,and south of the Wobegon Trail. The city owns a parcel of land directly south of the subject
site. The site does have a recorded access agreement with the city which allows for direct access. The
proposed site boasts heavy vegetation throughout including many deciduous trees. The NE area of the
site is more open and visible from the Wobegon Trail. Staff have recommended coniferous trees be
planted in this area to reduce visibility of the site from the trail. City Code 502.12 Subd 12 Section B
states the commercial/industrial uses allow for outside storage of equipment, materials, and inventory as
a principal or accessory use. Keller provided an overview of the site features and proposed
improvements, conditions of approval, and staff recommended conditions.
The Commission had questions for the applicant regarding on -site management, amount of traffic, and
parking space size.
October 91h, 2023
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Santiago Romero, Applicant: Santiago shared the property management team operates in St. Cloud,
management will be mainly off -site. Santiago also noted his property management team also manages
the mobile home park in St. Joseph. Santiago shared spaces will be rented monthly therefore they do not
foresee a lot of traffic. Parking spaces do vary in size to accommodate large RV's, pontoons, boats, etc.
Louwagie inquired about access to the proposed site. As the road passes through the city owned portion,
there is no delineation of a road.
Keller shared the Public Works Director sat in on the meetings regarding this proposed project and had
no concerns regarding traffic flow on the city owned property. There has been discussion with the
applicant regarding directional signage and whether that may be necessary.
Mick opened the Public Hearing at 6:36PM.
As no one wished to speak, Mick closed the Public Hearing at 6:37PM.
Hazen made a motion to Approve Resolution Adopting Findings of Fact with conditions and
recommending the City Council issue a Conditional Use Permit. The motion was seconded by
Louwagie and passed unanimously.
Old Business:
a. Landscape requirements in Industrial Zoned Properties
There has been discussion on this topic at the past couple of PC meetings. Last month, direction was
given to staff to blend options three and four of the staff drafted ordinance language. Options three and
four allow a more flexible review and approval process for staff when administering landscape standards;
removes minimum quantity of trees and shrubs, requires plantings to be more visible in the public right of
way, front of buildings, and boundary lines of parking lots.
The Commission discussed and noted some minor verbiage changes and were otherwise agreeable to
the newly drafted ordinance language.
Hazen made a motion for staff to make changes as noted and draft a formal ordinance
amendment. The motion was seconded by Thompson and passed unanimously by those present.
Other Business:
Keller updated the Commission on the following:
Keller has been fielding calls received on the Feed Mill for sale. The listing was recently updated
•which has sparked interest in the property.
• At the October 2nd Council meeting a councilmember brought up the CUP for the Special Event
Facility. After discussion, Council agreed to reconsider two of the conditions. One condition tied to
the hours of operation and the other is tied to the accessory building matching the principal
building. Staff were directed to work with the applicant on those items and bring back for action.
• The former gas station site near downtown has been purchased.
Adfourn: Hazen moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:48PM. The motion was seconded by Thompson
and the motion carried.
Minutes approved by:
Nate Keller
Community Development Director