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11-15-21 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER November 15, 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, Vern Heidner, Jim Kolles, Aaron Stritesky, and Pam Black; Absent: Richard Nichols; Present: City Council: CM Tom Darkenwald, Mayor Jessica Stockamp*. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht, City Engineer Ron Wagner, and Deputy Clerk Bethany Benting. Those indicated with a (*) attended via video conference. 1. Announcements: City Planner Licht noted that letters from Rick and Brenda Denny, Ralph and Mary Jerzak, Charles and Mary Kupper, Craig and Debra Schauffert, and Susan Layton were provided to the Planning Commission and are entered into the public hearing record. 2. Consider the following minutes: 2.1 Planning Commission October 18, 2021. Commissioner Thompson motioned to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Heidner Commissioner. All in favor. Motion carried. 7-0. 3. Public Hearing Items: 3.1 R+L Carriers: A. Zonina Maq amendment rezonina from A-1, Aariculture Rural Service District to I-2, General Industrial District. B. Preliminary/Final Plat of one lot. C. Site and Building Plan review of 64,000sf. distribution building and 18,000sf. maintenance building. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. Stan Richards, R+L Carriers, as the applicant was present and agreed to the staff report. Mr. Richards provided his own presentation to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Thompson asked about building setbacks for the initial building and the potential expansion. Engineer Joe Lovinelli, on behalf of the applicant, explained that the setback would be approximately 600 feet from the east property line and the expansion would be another 200 feet of building or approximately 400 feet from the property line. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission November 15, 2021 Page 2 Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:36 PM. Craig Schauffert, 16595 71St ST NE, said he is opposed to rezoning of the property as he was told by his relator that the property would always be farm land. Mr. Schauffert is also concerned about size of buildings and the number of semi-trucks/trailers traveling in and out of facility; the proposed 24-hour operation; fuel storage and possible environmental concerns with fuel, leakage, and runoff; the amount site grading that may be required; the types of walls that will be installed to decrease light and sound pollution; and the need to upgrade 70th street to make it functional for the increased vehicles/trucks/trailers. Mr. Schauffert also stated concerns the use of engine braking that already is an issue. Deb Schauffert, 16595 71St ST NE, said that she was disappointed with the way the residents were not informed with there being minimal public hearing notices sent. Jeanne Maahs, 16571 70th ST NE, explained that she is upset that she will be looking at semi -trucks with trailers next to her property. Ms. Maahs said that she understands the noise from existing businesses in the area will continue to be there but to add more is not good. Ms. Maahs said she is confused why the property was once zoned for residential, then agricultural and now industrial. David Dooher, 16590 71St ST NE, asked that the residents be involved in the mitigations that are being proposed for (light and noise) and is concerned about are the lack of enforcement regarding the the rules. City Planner Licht addressed the audience that clapping after comments is not appropriate to ensure that the hearing that is conducted fairly for both the applicant and the people commenting. Annie Allen, 7001 Quenroe Ave NE, said she is concerned about 70th Street on not having shoulders or a left turn lane and asked that a condition limiting trucks to turning left off of Queens be considered. Ms. Allen also said the height of the proposed screening wall isn't high enough and that the trees planted should be evergreens. Susan Layton, 16517 72nd Court NE, has concerns about air quality, increased traffic, increased noise, and visual impacts, and home values decreasing. Ms. Layton said she is opposed to adding industrial facilities in that area. Ms. Layton also stated that currently according to the "rules" the number of trucks allowed to park at Kwik Trip is eleven and the trucks are not permitted to run all night but that is not enforced. Linda Schroeder, 16555 72nd Court NE, is concerned about traffic on area roadways. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission November 15, 2021 Page 3 Cynthia Lind, 16689 72nd ST NE, asked Mr. Richards to explain further how R+L Carriers are "good neighbors." At 8:00 pm Chair Offerman paused public comments and asked City Planner Licht to comment on the questions. City Planner Licht explained the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Plan amendment in 2017 and how this relates to the current and proposed zoning of the site. City Planner Licht explained the process for notification of public hearing and that the City follows the requirements of State Statutes. City Engineer Wagner explained how he calculated the estimated traffic generation for the proposed use. Mr. Richards explained the traffic information included in the applicant's narrative. City Engineer Wagner also reviewed traffic count information for CSAH 38 as being less than 1 vehicle per min. City Engineer noted that there are dedicated left turn lanes on CSAH 38 at Queens Ave and a right -turn and bypass lane on CSAH 38 at Quenroe Avenue. Chair Offerman asked if the City could expand on the left-hand turn lane. City Engineer Wagner responded that Wright County would be responsible. City Planner Licht explained the proposed eight feet for the fence height, but told Commissioners they could increase that if setback 30 feet or more from the right-of- way. He also explained the exterior lighting standards of the zoning ordinance, and last described the existing engine braking ordinance, which is enforced by the WCSO. Mr. Richards suggested conditions R+L would like to propose in working with the residents' concerns. Mr. Richards recommend building the fence higher, but also addressed the material. He gave his word that the drivers will not use the Jake Brake within a reasonable distance from people's homes and residents are welcome to personally contact Mr. Richards. City Planner Licht noted they need to comply with the City Code. Mr. Richards also addressed the concerns about the fuel island noting that the principal building would screen the fuel island and would be farther way than the Kwik Trip station is. Commissioner Heidner asked about the 50 dock doors and pertaining to noise as the fork lifts used inside the building have beepers on them and the dock doors may be open especially in the summer leading him to be is concerned about that noise. Commissioner Thompson asked about the distance of the left turn lane on CSAH 38. City Engineer Wagner said it is 300 feet which is about three semi-tractor/trailers long. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission November 15, 2021 Page 4 City Planner Licht addressed the comments pertaining to trucks and parking related to Kwik Trip and said that the City has in the past enforced these issues, but reminded residents that the City of Otsego is complaint based. Mr. Richards described how the company is a good neighbor at the existing facilities working with neighbors on landscaping. Chair Offerman asked how many employees do they anticipate hiring. Mr. Richardson said about 115 to hire initially and with 15 percent growth addition in years to come. Chair Offerman asked the public for any new comments. Craig Schauffert asked the City Engineer about the quality the road itself, stating it is bad already. He understands there is proposed turn lanes but he would like the City to help with the road itself. Cynthia Lind asked if the company would be operating 24/7. City Planner Licht said yes. Diane Anderson, 7192 Queens Court NE, asked about sidewalk access. City Planner Licht addressed the current pedestrian access to their neighborhood and plans for a future trail extension on CSAH 38 that would likely be completed with a roadway improvement. Jeanne Maahs, asked about the screening fence along CSAH 38 and if it would be extended on her property line. City Planner Licht said he is recommending that the screening fence be installed along the west line of the tractor stalls also, screening their view from the Maahs' property together with landscaping. Mrs. Maahs' asked if there could be a fence put in between her property and the stormwater basin to the south. City Planner Licht said that the City does not fence stormwater basins, which are designed with shallow edges, noting that there is an unfenced wetland on the west side of the Maahs' property. Clarice Simonson, 16770 70th St NE asked what her view will be from the north side of CSAH 38. City Planner Licht said the view would be the pond, then rows of evergreen trees, then a 14 -foot -high fence, and finally the roof -top of a building. Craig Schauffert, asked about the fuel tanks and potential issues. City Planner Licht said the fuel island must comply with all City codes, fire codes, and State rules noting that there are similar facilities at other industrial uses and the City's Public Works Facility. Chair Offerman paused public comments so the applicant could address the questions. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission November 15, 2021 Page 5 Mr. Richardson addressed the concerns about the 24/7 operation explain that there are dock workers, stalkers, drivers, and other duties with the expectation that the day ends at 11:00PM but that emergencies that come up such as possible traffic that delays a truck to arrive later. City Engineer Wagner said that the City works with Wright County on the condition of County Roads in Otsego and will into the County's Capital Improvement Plan regarding CSAH 38. Mr. Richards noted that the fuel tanks will be underground and all that is visible is the canopy or dispensers. Craig Schauffert asked about the timeline of construction. Deb Schauffert stated the hardest part for her is the reclassification to rezoning. City Planner Licht explained the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map relationship again. Chair Offerman explained to the residents that he encourages them to come to all meetings noting that the Planning Commission meetings are posted on the website. Mr. Richards said the timeline of the project to start building would be after winter which would take about 12 months to construct. Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 9:14 PM. Commissioner Heidner is still concerned about the dock doors open during summer months and the amount of noise that will be produced from inside the building. Commissioner Kolles works for a gravel company and that company had residents make a request for the backup alarm to have a different tone. Mr. Richards does not want to see a condition of having the dock doors shut so as to allow air circulation especially in summer. Commissioner Heidner commented that if he says he wants to be a good neighbor then Mr. Richards will find a way to limit any noise. Commissioner Thompson talked about the 14 -foot fence for screening purposes, and also materials the structure and fence would be made out of. Commissioner Thompson suggested that the screening be a combination of a fence and berm up to 14 feet in height. Commissioner Stritesky asked about the north side of the storm water pond. City Planner Licht responded that only trees are proposed there. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission November 15, 2021 Page 6 Commissioner Foster said if the City doesn't rezone for this proposal, there might potentially be a new proposal in 6 to 12 months. Commissioner Heidner said he feels the misunderstanding is that a City has to have a Comprehensive Plan and it changes overtime, whereas a Zoning Map is more fixed once a development is approved. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of a Zoning Map amendment rezoning the subject site to I-1, Limited Industrial District. Seconded by Commissioner Black. All in favor. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 7-0. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of the RLC Addition preliminary plat and site and building plans for R+L Carriers, subject to the following 18 conditions as amended. 4 The landscape plan shall be revised to: a Install a combination of berms and solid fencing, using a variety of materials, colors, or textures, to a net height of 14 feet for screening purposes along the west and north lines of the tractor stalls and north line of the trailer stalls, subject to review and approval of the Zoning Administrator. 15. R+L Carriers semi-tractor/trailers use of engine braking shall comply with the City Code. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. All in favor. Those opposed; Foster. Motion carried. 6-1. Chair Offerman recessed the meeting at 9:33 PM. Chair Offerman opened the meeting at 9:42 PM. 3.2 City of Otsego Self Storage: A Amendment of Chapter 7885-87 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding allowed uses. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. The City is the applicant so there is no other comments. Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 9:45 PM. No public comment. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission November 15, 2021 Page 7 Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 9:46 PM. Chair Offerman asked for clarification about the building. City Planner Licht said these are for enclosed buildings. They are currently allowed in the B districts. The city had two applicants which the Council denied. I-1 district would be all internal buildings besides the parking. Chair Offerman asked why the I-1 district would not allow mini storage but would allow trucking? City Planner Licht explained what the city is trying to preserve and use the land for. Commissioner Thompson motioned to recommend City Council approval of a Zoning Ordinance amendment regulating self -storage facilities. Seconded by Commissioner Foster. All in favor. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 7- 0. 3.3 City of Otsego WSD capacity: A. Interim policy regarding West Sewer District utility capacity. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. The City is the applicant so there is no other comments. Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 9:51 PM. No public comment. Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 9:52 PM. Commissioner Heidner asked about how gallons per day is used. City Planner Licht said 175 gpd. Chair Offerman asked about the map of immediately available sewer. Mr. Licht explained indications on the map. Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend City Council adoption of a Resolution establishing an interim policy allocating capacity from the W- WWTF. Seconded by Commissioner Stritesky. All in favor. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 7-0. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission November 15, 2021 Page 8 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 Black. All in favor. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 7-0. Adjourned at 10:04 PM. Alan ferman, Chair ATTEST: n - -P-,-za Bethany Be g, Deputy erk