07-15-24 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
July 15, 2024
7:00 PM
Call to Order:
Chair Alan Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Roll Call: Chair Alan Offerman, Vice Chair Aaron Stritesky, Commissioners, Charles Foster, Vern
Heidner, Tracy Kincanon, and Laurie Jones.
Absent: Commissioner Pam Black
Also Present: Mayor Stockamp and Councilmember Ryan Dunlap
Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Deputy Clerk Katie Kalland
1.Announcements
City Planner Licht noted the written public comments received will be part of the public record.
2.Consider the Following Minutes
2.1 June 3, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting
Commissioner Heidner motioned to approve the June 3, 2024 minutes as written.
Commissioner Kincanon seconded. All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
3.Public Hearing Item:
3.1 Quadriga Ventures Plan Amendment
City Planner Licht gave the planning report.
Megan Rogers, development representative of Quadriga Ventures, was present and agreed
with the planning report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m.
Mark Haller, spoke on behalf of Elaine and Earl Schlunburg, 6273 Rawlings Avenue NE, asked
what is proposed for phase 2.
Brandon Wisner, 5886 Rawlings Avenue NE, asked about adding a trail. Mr. Wisner voiced
opposition to high-density homes being developed.
Rebecca Grupa, 6050 Rawlings Avenue NE, stated she was disappointed she wasn’t notified by
mail and thinks the area of notification should be larger. Ms. Grupa asked if she is able to view
the maps on the report. Ms. Grupa also voiced opposition to high-density homes.
MINUTES OF OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION
July 15, 2024
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Marilyn Nordeen, 18511 Bates Street, had concerns about the deer and wildlife in the area. Ms.
Nordeen would prefer the school would be located in the middle of the city. Ms. Nordeen also
voiced opposition to high-density homes.
Shola Abodunde, 17464 59th Street NE, voiced opposition of high-density homes. Mr. Adodunde
asked for more information on the potential school.
Jake Kramer, 17476 59th Street NE, asked if there was a plan for some sort of barrier or
screening between his backyard and the new development.
Andrew John, 7073 Quail Avenue NE, said he thinks the property would be better suited for
commercial.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m.
City Planner Licht commented Phase 2 shown in the plans is being negotiated with the
developer and ISD 728 to build a school and the reason the townhomes are being shown is to
establish a base valuation for the property as part of their transaction.
City Planner Licht stated that City will be including a trail from Randolph Avenue NE to River
Road NE on the west side of CSAH 36 as part of the County improvement project.
City Planner Licht explained that the City follows State Statute that notices be sent to properties
within 350 feet of the site and that is followed consistently for the purpose of treating every
development the same.
City Planner Licht stated the planning report that the Planning Commission received is available
on the City website for viewing.
Commissioner Kincanon asked what would happen if ISD 728 backed out of the sale. Ms. Rogers
stated the ISD 728 has a 2-year window to complete the purchase agreement. Ms. Rogers
stated the City has significant discretion to rezone the parcel that would be platted as phase 2.
City Planner Licht noted that if the agreement with ISD 728 and the developer fell through, the
City can reverse the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner Jones asked why the City would change the zoning map for a purchase
agreement. City Planner Licht answered it is for the benefit of residents to work with ISD 728 to
offset the cost of a purchasing a property and provided needed community facilities. City
Planner Licht stated he understands it is an unusual approach however, and that City staff
would not be in support of it if ISD 728 wasn’t involved.
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Commissioner Jones asked when phase 1 would start. Ms. Rogers stated they anticipate to
bring forward application for preliminary and final plat for Phase 1 this fall.
Commissioner Heidner reminded the commission that this request is specifically based on ISD
728 being interested in building a school on this property.
Vice Chair Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of a Comprehensive Plan amendment
changing the land use from Low-to-Medium Density Residential to Medium-to-High Density
Residential based on a finding that the request is consistent with the 2023 Comprehensive
Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Heidner. Voting in favor: Offerman, Stritesky, Kincanon, and
Heidner. Voting against: Foster and Jones. Motion carried 4-2.
Chair Offerman asked the Commissioners voting against for feedback to present to the City
Council.
Commissioner Jones stated she voted no because she doesn’t agree with changing the
Comprehensive Plan based on a purchase agreement.
Commissioner Foster also said he doesn’t support amending the Comprehensive Plan based on
a purchase agreement and also doesn’t agree with the location for a proposed school.
5. Updates
5.1 Updates on City Council actions
Mayor Stockamp updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions.
5.2 Updates on future Planning Commission Items
City Planner Licht updated the Planning Commission on upcoming planning items.
6. Adjourn
Vice Chair Stritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Jones. All in favor.
Motion carried 6-0.
Adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Katie Kalland, Deputy Clerk