Item 2.1 06-21-2021 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
JUNE 21, 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, David Thompson, Jim
Kolles, Aaron Stritesky, Richard Nichols* and Pam Black*; Absent: Vern Heidner;
Present: City Council: CM Tom Darkenwald, Mayor Jessica Stockamp* and CM Goede*
(at approximately 7:50 PM). City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Deputy Clerk
Bethany Benting. (*present via teleconference)
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 May 17, 2021.
Commissioner Black motioned to approve the minutes as written. Seconded
by Commissioner Stritesky. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster, Kolles,
Thompson, Stritesky, Black, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
7-0
3.Public Hearing Items:
3.1 Hunter Hills Phase 3:
A. Zoning Map amendment rezoning from A1 District to R5 District.
B.PUD-CUP and preliminary plat of 130 single family lots.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant, Dale Willenbring owner of Tamarack Land Development, was present and
agreed to the staff report. Added that Tamarack is doing three other projects in the City
and really enjoys working here.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM.
Tom Berning, 11848 80th street NE, stated he likes the buffer between homes and the
field activities/manure. Mr. Berning noted that the setback was established to keep
farms away from existing homes, but now homes are coming closer to his farm. Mr.
Berning said he would be OK with a 150-foot setback for manure application.
Item 2.1
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
June 21, 2021
Page 2
Mr. Willenbring commented he would be in favor of providing information to new
homeowners of potential manure smells due to an active farm.
There were no other public comments.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:19 PM.
CM Darkenwald asked Mr. Berning for clarification about what he was asking for
regarding setbacks. Mr. Berning just noted that it is currently 300 feet and there was
talk about 150 feet, which would be OK with him.
Chair Offerman asked if they could eliminate the manure application setback. City
Planner Licht stated yes.
Commissioner Stritesky clarified that this is not a part of the final decision tonight. City
Planner Licht said yes, that an amendment of the Zoning Ordinance would need to
processed.
Commissioner Thompson asked about application of the setback once the subdivision is
approved. City Planner Licht explained they would not be allowed to spread manure
300 feet from the plat line on the west side of the Berning land. Mr. Berning also
commented about how he uses his land for farming. Right now, he rotates all crops
and currently now he isn’t using it. Just because it’s open doesn’t mean farmers spread
manure on it.
Commissioner Foster asked about the timeline and when it might be final platted. City
Planner Licht said City staff would expect a final plat application next spring at the
earliest.
Chair Offerman agreed that the developer could provide literature to new homeowners
about potential manure smells.
Commissioner Stritesky summed up that eliminating the manure application setback
would work best for the developer and farm.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of a Zoning Map
amendment rezoning the subject site to R-5 District based on a finding that
the criteria established by Section 11-3-2.F of the Zoning Ordinance are
satisfied.. Seconded by Commissioner Black. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman,
Foster, Kolles, Thompson, Stritesky, Black, Nichols. Those opposed;
None. Motion carried. 7-0
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
June 21, 2021
Page 3
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of a PUD-CUP and
Preliminary Plat for Hunter Hills Phase 3 and vacation of existing drainage
and utility easements, subject to the following conditions as stated in the
report. Seconded by Commissioner Black. Those for; Offerman, Foster,
Kolles, Thompson, Stritesky, Black, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion
carried. 7-0
3.2 WMG Parkview Retail 2nd:
A. Conditional Use Permit for convenience restaurant with drive through.
B. Site and Building Plan Review.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant, Jacob Cramer, of the Tarr Group on behalf of WMG Development LLC, was
present via teleconference and agreed to the staff report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:37 PM.
There were no public comments.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:38 PM.
Commissioner Thompson asked about the direction vehicles would exit so as not to
cause congestion problems. City Planner Licht explained the site access and circulation
patterns.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of site and
building plans and a conditional use permit for Lot 1, Block 1, Parkview Retail
2nd Addition, subject to the following conditions as stated in the report.
Seconded by Commissioner Nichols. Those for; Offerman, Foster, Kolles,
Thompson, Stritesky, Black, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried.
7-0
3.3 NNG Riverbend South:
A. Conditional Use Permit for natural gas facility.
Chair Offerman recused himself from the agenda item. Vice Chair Stritesky assumed
responsibility for the conduct of meeting.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
June 21, 2021
Page 4
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant, Steven Martinez of Northern Natural Gas was present and agreed to the staff
report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:50 PM.
There were no public comments.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:51 PM.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to recommend approval of a conditional
use permit for an essential service facility within Outlot C, Riverbend South
subject to the following conditions as stated in the report. Seconded by
Commissioner Foster. Roll Call Those for; Foster, Kolles, Thompson, Stritesky,
Black, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Abstained Chair Offerman Motion
carried. 6-0
Vice Chair Stritesky relinquished conduct of the meeting to Chair Offerman.
4. Updates:
4.1 Updates on City Council actions.
CM Darkenwald updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions.
4.2 Updates on future Planning Commission items.
City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items.
5. Adjourn.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Foster. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster, Kolles, Thompson, Stritesky,
Black, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 7-0
Adjourned at 7:57 PM.
___________________________
Alan Offerman, Chair
ATTEST: ________________________
Bethany Benting, Deputy Clerk