02-16-99 PCCITY OF OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION/
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999 - 8PM
1. Chair Carl Swenson will rail meeting to order:
Chair Carl Swenson called the meeting to order at 8:03PM
ROLL CALL:
Carl Swenson, Chair, Patrick Moonen, Richard Nichols, Jim Kolles and Gene
Goenner. Bruce Rask, Arleen Nagel and Christian Mbanefo, Alt. were absent from the
P.C.
Larry Fournier, Mayor, Virginia Wendel, Vern Heidner, Suzanne Ackerman
Council Members were present. Mark Berning was absent.
Mike Robertson, City Administrator, Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning
Administrator and Dan Licht, City Planner from Staff.
2. Consideration of the Planning Commission Minutes of,
A. February 1, 1999 Otsego P.C./CC Meeting
RICHARD NICHOLS MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY
1, 1999 OTSEGO PC/CC MEETING MINUTES. JIM KOLLES SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Hearing to consider the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment;_ An
Ordinance Amending the Otsego Zoning Ordinance Accessory Building
Standards.
Elaine Beatty noted that the proper publication, and posting had been
completed.
Dan Licht explained the current proposed ordinance (a copy is attached). Two
new zoning districts have been added on Pg. 4, RC and I-3. Section 4 was stricken out
and reserved for future use.
Chair Swenson noted the formal Public Hearing procedure on the back side of the P.C.
Agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC
Keith Knutson He asked if a gazebo and if it is an accessory building. Mr.
6630 Odean Ave NE Licht answered all structures over 150 sq. ft are accessory
buildings. Mr. Knutson questioned if he can go ahead with his
existing CUP? Dan answered he can proceed with the conditions
as approved. Mr. Knutson was curious to know why he was
rejected with his request? Chair Swenson said it would be
appropriate to ask the City Council about that. Mr. Knutson
discussed the buildings he was asked to remove. Could he extend
his time to complete that removal? Mr. Robertson answered, to
change the CUP would be an amendment. Mr. Licht agreed and
said he would need to come before the City Council to consider
an amendment.
CITY OF OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999 - SPM
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Richard Will - Asked if new regulations are passed would you still need an
9309 Nellmark Administrative Permit to go over the 100 sq. ft? Answer: No.
On his lot he can build up to 2,000sq. ft. of detached buildings or
smaller buildings. Gene Goenner told Mr. Will to keep in mind
he would still need to obtain a building permit.
Dale Beaudry Mr. Beaudry has 5 acres of land in the Rural Service Area. He
7675 MacIver wants a 1800 sq. ft pole building. Will that be allowed? Mr.
Licht explained that he could build the size he wanted but would
have to build a stick -built structure instead building instead of a
pole building. Pole buildings are only allowed on lots of over five
acres in size. Mr. Beaudry feels it should read " 5 acres or more".
Chair Swenson noted that we have had a lot of discussion on this
issue.
Discussion went back to the P.C.
Patrick Moonen - Questioned the change to eliminate 1,000 sq. ft. accessory
building space on one acre lots. What was the consideration to limit the larger structures?
Mr. Licht explained we looked at the size of items typically stored in a garage. The only
change is to eleminate exceptions through the CUP process. One acre lots are allowed a
total of 2,000 sq. ft. in accessory building space including one detached garage. Mike
Robertson added that the Council was trying to deal with the fact that none of the CUP's
were being turned down and people were spending $500 to $800 on the CUP application.
Hearing was re -opened to the public.
Keith Knutson Agreed with Dale Beaudry that the size required should be
stated as "equal to or greater than 5 acres in size". A five
acre lot is quite a bit to maintain.
Mr. Will Agreed with Dale Beaudry. He also felt that on a one acre
lot one-half acre is taken up with septic. If you stick
another 1,000 sq. ft on it, it will be cramped.
Dale Beaudry It is my understanding that if I had 5.1 acres I could build
a big shed, but I am limited because I only have 5 acres.
Chair Swenson noted that the problem is there has to be a
line drawn somewhere. Other people around
me have 5 acre lots with big pole buildings and I have
petitions from my neighbors that agree
CITY OF OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999 - 8PM
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with me building a pole building. He felt that some stick
built buildings he sees are in worse shape than the pole
buildings. Chair Swenson - Noted that in general we are
talking about a residential area and pole buildings do not
look good in a residential area. Mr. Beaudry noted that
he lives on MacIver Ave. Dan Licht noted he is a
residential use.
HEARING WAS CLOSED BY CHAIR SWENSON
Discussion brought back to the P.C.
Gene Goenner - All the people who spoke want it to read 5 acres and greater. Do
we want to revisit it? I will be honest. I voted for over 5 acres. Richard Nichols - We
went round and round on this for weeks at a time. I understand Dale's concern. I am
personally not in favor of a change. We have to look at what's best for the City.
Dan Licht - 10 acres or greater was the original size and we lowered it to pick up
the larger than 5 acre hobby farms.
RICHARD NICHOLS MOTIONED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE
AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR ACCESSORY BUILDING
STANDARDS AS WRITTEN. GENE GOENNER SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED WITH PAT MOONEN VOTING AGAINST.
This item will be on the Council Agenda of February 22, 1999 at 6:30PM.
4. Any other P -C. Business
Chair Swenson noted that another problem we have is the minimum lot size in the
Rural Service Area. Dan Licht explained that the proposed one acre minimum lot size in
the Rural Service Area may be a problem. Possibly 2-1/2 acres to 5 acres is appropriate.
On the issue of lot sizes smaller than the proposed minimum lot size, we can grandfather
the one acre minimum lots that are established now.
Gene Goenner. The main concern is the sewer system. Why not have them show
ample sewer sites (2 or 3 sites). 2-1/2 acres is a lot to maintain. Chair Swenson agreed
with them on having multiple septic sites. Mr. Goenner asked if we will require clustered
4 per 40's? Mr. Licht - Yes clustered, unless 10 acre divisions. A-1 is the Ag.
Preservation District. A-2 more rural 4 per 40, four 10 -acre lots or clustered lots. More
discussion. Chair Swenson noted that they would need road frontage on existing roads.
Mike Robertson asked if the 4 per 40 are administrative splits or do they take P.C./
CC action? More discussion of 4 per 40 being administrative or application. Gene
Goenner noted that if we are not notified of a neighbors 4 per 40 splits, someone could
put their house on a 12" drain tile. He wanted to see the notice go out to neighbors.
Richard Nichols - That would be true regardless of acreage. Elaine - Noted
CITY OF OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999 - 8PM
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that for 4 per 40 it would have to be rezoned from A-1 to A-2. Dan Licht will prepare a
matrix regarding this issue. P.C. did not want this on for hearing. They want it on for an
Agenda item to discuss lot size.
Mike Robertson gave the P.C. the good news that we received our sewer
discharge permit and the wastewater treatment plant bids came in $271,000 below the
engineers estimate. The low bidder is a very reputable company. The bids will be brought
to the Council on the 22nd of February.
5_ Adjourn by l OPM
RICHARD NICHOLS MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING. PATRICK MOONEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:55PM.
CITY OF OTSEGO:
ARLEEN NAGEL SECRLTARY
MINUTES BY: ELAINE BEATTY, CITY CLERK/RECORDING SECRETARY
EB
FU -E: 99-PC'AN.WPS