03-20-2023 Special Planning Commission MinutesSPECIAL MEETING PLANNING COMMISSION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
MARCH 20, 2023
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Alan Offerman; Commissioners: Charles Foster, Laurie Jones, Vern
Heidner, Aaron Stritesky, Pam Black, and Tracy Kincanon; Absent: Richard Nichols;
Present: City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp, CM Brittany Moores, CM Tina Goede,
CM Jeff Dahl, and CM Ryan Dunlap. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Deputy
Clerk Bethany Benting.
1. Discussion of Comprehensive Plan update with City Council.
City Planner Licht reviewed a draft of the 2022 Comp Plan incorporating feedback and
comments as discussed. City staff will modify the draft Comprehensive Plan document
based on comments and direction received from this meeting.
Councilmember Dunlap asked how the City is able to control the rate of housing
construction to an average of 400 new dwellings per year. City Planner Daniel Licht
explained that the Interim Land Use Plan policies for not rezoning to allow for urban
development until there is a preliminary plat allows the City discretion over the
management of growth. Councilmembers and Commissioners discussed the phasing of
development over time.
Commissioner Kincanon wanted to know how the City matches its service capacities
with the growth rate. City Planner Daniel Licht explained the phasing of the
Comprehensive Plan in relation to the annual budget process and Capital Improvement
Plan. Councilmembers and Commissioners discussed the phased expansion of utilities.
Chair Offerman asked about timing for the expansion of the West Wastewater
Treatment Facility. City Planner Licht said the project is expected to be substantially
complete in 2024.
Councilmembers and Commissioners discussed the areas guided Medium-to High
Density Residential and Mixed Use for the option of apartments. All members discussed
options for flexibility of lot requirement size and building height. Mayor Stockamp said
that the City should define areas for apartments and appropriate standards so that
there is direction to developers to follow. The areas guided for Mixed Use were
reviewed with consensus to reduce the area of the Richard Lefebvre property to just
Minutes of the Special Otsego Planning Commission
March 20, 2023
Page 2
east of future Quaday Avenue. The area west of future Quaday Avenue would remain
Commercial and the property to the north planned for Medium Density Residential.
Councilmember Dunlap asked where mobile home parks could be built. City Planner
Daniel Licht said any new proposed mobile home park would likely fall within the
Medium Density Residential land use category. The Councilmembers and
Commissioners discussed rental single family as an alternative to townhouse and
apartment dwellings.
Councilmembers and Commissioners talked about the framework for anticipating new
land uses to occur over time for growth and urban services to be able to provide
supporting infrastructure and services.
Larry Blesi Jr., 7129 Labeaux Ave, asked Councilmember and Commissioners if they
would consider changing the Northwest Quadrant of Labeaux Avenue (CSAH 19) and
70th (CSAH 38) to all Mixed-Use land uses. City Planner Licht explained the intent to
maintain commercial land use adjacent to the intersection of the two CSAH roadways
mirroring the planned land use on the east side of Labeaux Avenue (CSAH 19). Chair
Offerman noted that the boundaries are a general guide and designation of specific
land uses can be reviewed further based upon submission of a specific development
plan. The consensus of the Councilmembers and Commissioners was not to change the
draft Land Use Plan at this time.
2. Adjourn.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to adjourn at 9:02 PM, seconded by
Commissioner Stritesky. All in favor. Motion carried. 7-0.
Respectfully Submitted by Bethany Benting, Deputy Clerk.