04-06-20 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
April 6, 2020
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Vice Chair Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Vice Chair Alan Offerman; Commissioners: Charles Foster, Aaron Stritesky;
Present via teleconference: Chair Pam Black, Vern Heidner, David Thompson, and
Absent: Commissioners: Jim Kolles, Richard Nichols; Present: City Council: CM Tom
Darkenwald and Mayor Stockamp. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and City Deputy
Clerk Bethany Benting.
1. Announcements:
City Planner Licht stated that Commissioners Black, Thompson, and Heidner are
participating via teleconference in accordance with Minnesota Statute 13D.015.
2. Annual Business:
2.1 Election of the 2020 Planning Commission Chair & Vice -Chair.
Commissioner Stritesky nominated Alan Offerman for Chair. Seconded by
Chair Black. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Black, Thompson, Stritesky,
Heidner, Foster. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Stritesky nominated Commissioner Thompson. Commissioner
Thompson declined.
Commissioner Stritesky nominated Commissioner Heidner. Commissioner
Heidner declined.
Commissioner Thompson nominated Commissioner Stritesky for Vice -Chair.
Seconded by Commissioner Heidner. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Black,
Thompson, Stritesky, Heidner, Foster. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
3. Consider the following minutes:
3.1 Planning Commission February 18, 2020.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to approve the minutes as written.
Seconded by Commissioner Heidner. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Black,
Thompson, Stritesky, Heidner, Foster. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
April 6, 2020
Page 2
4. Public Hearing Items:
4.1 Riverwood/NorthStar:
A. Consider additional information related to the PUD District
amendment to allow for use as a mental health residential and out-patient
treatment facility.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report addendum.
Dr. Hal Baumchen and Dr. Jason Vanderscoff of NorthStar Regional were present via
teleconference and agreed to the staff report.
Vice Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:11 PM.
A printed email from Bernadette Moriarty, 10940 95th Street was provided to City staff
just prior to the start of the meeting. City Planner Licht read the questions for the
record.
Vice Chair Offerman hearing no further public comments closed the public hearing at
7:15 PM.
Commissioner Foster stated he was pleased reading the police reports information.
Commissioner Stritesky asked Dr. Baumchen to address the questions from the email
presented to the Planning Commission. Dr. Baumchen procedures on how the facility is
operated to make it safe and secure for not only the residents and staff at NorthStar
but also the Otsego community.
Vice Chair Offerman asked clarification about the responsibilities NorthStar has for
covering damage by clients that may occur within the community. Dr. Vanderscoff
stated that NorthStar has general business and professional liability insurance but has
never had to make a claim. Dr. Vanderscoff added if the City or County would ask to
be an additional -insured on the NorthStar policies, they agree to do so. Vice Chair
Offerman asked if a NorthStar client broke into a car on a nearby private property,
would NorthStar be liable? Dr. Vanderscoff said he is not an attorney but it would seem
to be similar to that of a hotel guest breaking into a car on another property. City
Planner Licht added that the City is not able to comment the question fully as the City
Attorney is not present.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
April 6, 2020
Page 3
Vice Chair Offerman asked Dr. Vanderscoff to address traffic generation by the
proposed use. Dr. Vanderscoff said 90% of the traffic would come from NorthStar
staff. Residents could be dropped off by family members or friends, but NorthStar does
have vans to provide transportation. Dr. Vanderscoff said 8am-6pm is the heaviest part
of traffic adding that there is a total of approximately 100 employees, but that would
not be at one time, during one shift. City Planner Licht added City staff's perspective to
consider that the traffic generated by what the existing allowed use would be at
capacity would be very high. City staff added that access to the property is from a
minor arterial street and that both Wright County and City staff believe that the traffic
generated by the proposed use can be accommodated by CSAH 39 at the existing
driveway.
Commissioner Stritesky would like to know about the schedule as far as visits and
visitors. Dr. Vanderscoff explained that there are 3 days in the evenings that families or
friends can come to visit. They haven't finalized the schedule yet for this location as to
which days. He also wanted to reassure that every visitor needs to be screened.
Vice Chair Offerman asked about potential impacts to area property values. City
Planner Licht explained that the criteria for the decision as specified by the Zoning
Ordinance specifically excludes effects to property value effects based on the
unpredictability and inconsistency of such information even when provided by licensed
professional appraisers.
Vice Chair Offerman asked about the impact of the proposed use on police services.
Deputy Jason Oltmans of the Wright County Sheriff's Office said that the police reports
included in the packet were reviewed by WCSO and they believe the call volume will
actually decrease. Deputy Oltmans said he has spoked with Dr. Baumchen at the
previous meeting and said there is interest in having an officer liaison with the facility to
open communication with Wright County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Oltmans said he
understands residents have concerns and to please call 911 so problems can be
addressed.
City Planner Licht explained further allowance of the proposed medical treatment and
residential element within the proposed PUD District amendment.
Commissioner Foster said he visited the property and was not pleased with how it's
been maintained asking if NorthStar has plans to repave, trim buses, and to make the
site look better? Dr. Baumchen said they have a budget to make improvements to the
buildings and grounds including adding fire suppression sprinklers, repaving the parking
area, and replacing signs. Dr. Vanderscoff also added they will hire grounds keepers to
come in to keep up with grounds.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
April 6, 2020
Page 4
Commissioner Thompson stated he agrees with Dr. Vanderscoff about the insurance
liability issues. Commissioner Thompson added that traffic was significant with the
hotel and banquet center and asked if there would be a roundabout built at CSAH 39
and CSAH 19. City Planner Licht explained that future improvements to the intersection
are planned to be a modified "T" and not a roundabout.
Chair Black motioned to recommend approval of a PUD District amendment
subject to the ordinance and findings of fact and decision as drafted by City
staff. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman,
Black, Thompson, Stritesky, Heidner, Foster. Those opposed; None. Motion
carried.
City Planner Licht stated this will go to City Council meeting on April 13, 2020.
4.2 Garage, LLC:
A Zoning Map Amendment rezoning from B-3 to I-3 District.
B. PUD-CUP/Site and building plan review.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant Ron Touchette, was present via teleconference and agreed to the staff report.
Vice Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:54 PM.
Vice Chair Offerman hearing no public comments closed the public hearing at 7:55 pm.
Commissioner Foster asked about what uses would be allowed under the current
zoning. City Planner Licht said the C-3 District allows a broad range of retail, service,
and office uses.
Commissioner Heidner asked if the individual units will be heated? Mr. Touchette said
the units will be leased to small businesses and thus will have heat as well and
restrooms constructed as part of the initial buildout.
Commissioner Thompson asked about the units being used as "man -caves" as have
developed elsewhere that lead to large groups congregating. Mr. Touchette explained
that he does not want to lease as mini -storage units or for recreation purposes. City
Planner Licht said that the uses allowed are those specified by the I-3 District and any
type of man -cave use would require additional City review.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
April 6, 2020
Page 5
Vice Chair Offerman asked if the appearance of the building could be improved instead
of just steel siding? Mr. Touchette said the proposed siding is two done with a darker
wainscoting level color matching the roof. City Planner Licht explained that City is all
that is required based on the existing character of the area and added that City staff
recommended landscaping and trees will be planted in part so that the entire building
elevations are not visible from TH 101. Commissioner Offerman suggested adding
shrubs along the west side of the buildings as well as the south side. A consensus of
the Planning Commission agreed.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend approval of a Zoning Map
amendment rezoning Lot 3, Block 1 Autumn Woods Commercial from B-3
District to I-3 District based on a finding that the request is consistent with
the Comprehensive Plan. Seconded by Chair Black. Roll Call: Those for;
Offerman, Black, Thompson, Stritesky, Heidner, Foster. Those opposed;
None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of a PUD -CUP and
site and building plans for Your Garage, LLC subject to the following
conditions as presented: Seconded by Commissioner Foster. Roll Call: Those
for; Offerman, Black, Thompson, Stritesky, Heidner, Foster. Those opposed;
None. Motion carried.
4.3 City of Otsego:
A Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance to address appeals of zoning
decisions.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Vice Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 8:06 PM.
Vice Chair Offerman hearing no public comments closed the public hearing at 8:07 PM.
Commissioner Heider asked if the appeal period is calendar days or business days. City
Planner Licht said calendar days.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to recommend approval of the proposed
Zoning Ordinance amendment as presented. Seconded by Commissioner
Stritesky. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Black, Thompson, Stritesky,
Heidner, Foster. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
April 6, 2020
Page 6
5. Update on City Council actions.
CM Darkenwald updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions.
6. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda items.
City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items.
7. Adjourn.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Chair Black.
Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Black, Thompson, Stritesky, Heidner,
Foster. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
Adjourned at 8. 6 M.
AI Offerman, Vice Chair
ATTEST:
Bethany B it g, Deputy rk