01-04-21 Planning Commission Minutes11TSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINif
OTSEGO CITY HALL
January 4, 2021
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Alan Offerman; Commissioners: Charles Foster, Jim Kolles, David
Thompson; Present via teleconference: Aaron Stritesky at 7:04, Vern Heidner, Richard
Nichols; Absent: Commissioners: Pam Black; Present: City Council: CM Tom
Darkenwald (via teleconference) and Mayor Jessica Stockamp. City Staff: City Planner
Daniel Licht and Deputy Clerk Bethany Benting.
1. Announcements:
City Planner Licht stated that some Commissioners are participating via teleconference
in accordance with Minnesota Statute 13D.015.
2. Consider the following minutes:
2.1 Planning Commission December 7, 2020.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to approve the minutes as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Foster. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster.,
Heidner, Thompson, Kolles, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
6-0
Commissioner Stritesky joined the meeting via teleconference at 7:04.
3. Public Hearing Items:
3.1 City of Otsego:
A. Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance to allow parking of semi-
tractor/trailers upon residential properties within certain Zoning
Districts and related provisions.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:14 PM.
Michael Reischl, 14754 89th Street NE, explained he parks his semi-tractor/trailer at his
house as he is responsible for the load on the truck. The truck is a new truck, which is
not loud at all and he doesn't run it all night. Mr. Reischl explained he has been driving
truck for a long time. He also said that he needs to be able to park it at his house so it
can be worked on during the weekends. Mr. Reischl stated that it's no different than a
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
January 4, 2021
Page 2
firetruck or a garbage truck on the street. He said he has been living here for 35 years
and needs to make a living.
City Planner Licht asked if when he brings the truck home it is within a 7 -ton weight per
axle? Mr. Reischl replied yes.
CM Darkenwald asked for clarification on what type of truck Mr. Reischl drives and what
the zoning of his property is. Mr. Reischl responded his truck is a 2016 Peterbilt with a
48 -foot trailer, which is a class 8. City Planner Licht stated his property is zoned for R-3
district.
Randy Hermann, 14282 91st Street NE, supported Mr. Reischl request. Mr. Herman also
stated that he wants the Commissioners to approved the 20 -foot height for detached
accessory buildings. City Planner Licht explained the detached garages are proposed for
the 20 -foot garage height, not attached garages that are subject to height limits for the
house.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:36 PM.
Commissioner Offerman asked City Planner Licht to review the Zoning Map as to how
many properties would be affected by the proposed amendment. City Planner Licht
explained the location of properties zoned Al, A2, RI, R2, and R3 District.
Commissioner Heidner said this situation work for this resident, but the Planning
Commission has to keep in mind that this proposed change will apply to properties
across the City.
City Planner Licht asked Mr. Reischl how long his truck and trailer is. Mr. Reischl said its
about 71 feet.
Chair Offerman asked for clarification that the City does code enforcement on a
complaint basis. City Planner Licht confirmed. Chair Offerman said to Mr. Reischl that
the Commissioners takes what he says to heart, but must also consider the residents
that have addressed concerns about these situations too.
Commissioner Foster asked if Mr. Reischl truck is driven home loaded or unloaded? Mr.
Reischl said 90 percent of the time it isn't loaded. Mr. Reischl said even if it is loaded,
the truck would comply with the 7 -ton weight limit.
CM Darkenwald asked for information about what makes Mr. Reischl more quiet than
older trucks. Mr. Reischl said he has an exhaust system with a muffler system to
comply with current Federal emissions regulations.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
January 4, 2021
Page 3
Commissioner Nichols asked how many situations like Mr. Reischl with trucks parked on
residential lots overnights are there in Otsego. City Planner Licht estimated it is about a
dozen in the zoning districts being discussed.
Commissioner Thompson said the proposed amendment would be opening it up to
almost all one -acre lot. Chair Offerman said if the proposed amendment is approved
that someone could be driving and parking on their property every day.
Commissioner Foster asked about the R zoning and the A zoning. City Planner Licht
said Mr. Reischl"s property is zoned R3 District located south of CSAH 39 and east of
Odean Avenue.
Commissioner Nichols said consideration should be given to allowing only on larger
parcels verses one acre lots.
City Planner Licht suggested increasing the proposed setback from side lot lines.
Chair Offerman asked about the interim use permit process. City Planner Licht
explained the process and said that the Planning Commission may consider an
administrative permit with very specific performance standards.
Commissioner Thompson said he was in favor of tabling the issue for further discussion.
Commissioner Stritesky suggested a minimum lot width standard. City Planner Licht
said staff could look at how many properties would qualify if there was a minimum
requirement for a 200 -foot lot width. City Planner Licht also suggested limiting the
length of the tractor trailer and height of the trailer.
Commissioner Heidner asked if the Planning Commission could deal with the accessory
buildings changes now and discuss the semi-tractor/trailer parking further at a future
meeting. City Planner Licht said the Planning Commission could make a
recommendation on Section 1, 2 and 4 of the draft ordinances. Chair Offerman
suggested discussing both the parking and accessory buildings together at a later time.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to table this discussion to a future Planning
Commission meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Stritesky. Roll Call: Those
for; Offerman,, Foster, Heidner, Thompson, Kolles,, Nichols, Stritesky. Those
opposed; None. Motion carried. 7-0
4. Other planning items:
4.1 City of Otsego:
A. Multiple Family Housing Study implementation.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
January 4, 2021
Page 4
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Chair Offerman wanted clarification about the policy limiting the number of apartment
units. City Planner Licht explained that the current number of apartments is over 10%
and the Planning Commission and City Council may delay approval of another
apartment until more single-family homes are built.
Commissioner Thompson asked if the number of houses is based on building permits or
certificates of occupancy. City Planner Licht said that the count of dwelling units would
be based on building permit data.
Commissioner Foster pointed out a correction within the draft ordinance regarding the
minimum lot area per unit requirement for the M-1 District.
Commissioner Nichols motioned to notice a public hearing to consider
amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance to implement
the Multiple Family Housing study. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson.
Roll Call: Those for; Offerman,, Foster, Heidner, Thompson,, Kolles, Nichols,
Stritesky. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 7-0
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 Foster motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Kolles. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman,, Foster,, Heidner,, Thompson,, Kolles,
Nichols, Stritesky. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 7-0
Adjourned at X8P:18"PM.
Alan'Offerman, Chair
ATTEST: Ba 0 ,
Bethany Beriti(, Deputy Cl4k)