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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008,
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Pursuant to due
call and notice there of a meeting of the Planning Commission in
and for the City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota, was
called to order by Chairman John Harlander at 6:30 o’clock in
the evening on Monday, February 4, 2008 in the Council Room at
400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Planning Commission
members present for the meeting were: Todd Horton, Will Seiler,
Joseph Gilk, and Joseph Wedel. None were absent. Councilor
John Greer, Planning Commission Liaison, arrived for the meeting
at 6:45PM.
Chairman John Harlander called for any additions or corrections to the
minutes of January 14th and hearing none declared the said
minutes approved.
Ken Stalboerger,
General Manager, New Vision Alliance, was present for the
meeting.
Pursuant to
due notice, at 6:32 PM, Chairman John Harlander called the
public hearing into session on a request by
New Vision Alliance, 1121 County Road 10, for a Conditional Use
Permit for the following: 1) Increase the maximum height of
thirty-five (35) feet to seventy-four (74) feet to allow for the
construction of a sixty (60) foot diameter 150,000 bushel grain
bin; 2) Increase the maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet to
fifty (50) feet to allow for the construction of four (4)
sixteen (16) foot diameter 125 ton grain bins in a C2 Zone. Mr.
Schneider noted that a proper notice was published in the
Stearns Morrison Enterprise on January 22nd and no written
comments were received. Mr. Stalboerger appeared before the
Commission to inform the Commission that four (4) bins will be
added to the east side of the plant, and two will be removed in
this area. Mr. Stalboerger noted that the addition of the said
bins will improve customer service and profitability. Mr.
Stalboerger also noted that they will be able to run their feed
operation more efficiently and improve product flow. Mr.
Stalboerger informed the Commission that a 150,000 bushel grain
bin is included in the request which is part of their long term
plan and it will be the same height and size of the other three
presently on the site, but not to be constructed in 2008.
Chairman John Harlander closed the public hearing at 6:45 PM.
After due discussion, a motion was made by Joseph Wedel and
seconded by Todd Horton to recommend to the Council that the
request by New Vision Alliance for a Conditional Use Permit for
the following: 1) Increase the maximum height of thirty-five
(35) feet to seventy-four (74) feet to allow for the
construction of a sixty (60) foot diameter 150,000 bushel grain
bin; 2) Increase the maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet to
fifty (50) feet to allow for the construction of four (4)
sixteen (16) foot diameter 125 ton grain bins in a C2 Zone be
approved. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mr. Greer arrived at the meeting
at 6:45PM.
Mr. Schneider informed the
Commission that he attended a meeting to discuss the preparation
of a proposed site plan for a building expansion for Wells
Concrete Products in the Albany Business and Industrial Park.
Mr. Schneider noted that exterior lighting on the buildings and
parking lot was discussed to prevent issues with adjoining
neighbors in the future. Mr. Schneider noted that under the
site plan requirements, a lighting detail is not required and
recommended that the Commission amend the Zoning Ordinance. Mr.
Schneider also noted that the site plan for Wells Concrete and a
request for a variance to exceed the maximum height requirement
of thirty-five (35) feet for their new buildings will be
considered at a public hearing to be held on February 27th.
Chairman John Harlander, with the consensus of the Commission,
directed the City Clerk/Administrator to prepare an Ordinance
amendment to include a lighting detail when applicants submit a
site plan for the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for
February 27th.
Mr. Schneider also informed the
Commission that the postal service held an informational meeting
on January 16th before the City Council regarding
postal plans to expand operations at the Albany Post Office in
accordance with postal regulations. Mr. Schneider noted that
the City received a letter dated January 28th from
the postal service informing the City that the current Post
Office cannot be expanded nor remodeled to meet future
operational requirements. Mr. Schneider also noted that the
postal service will begin to advertise for both existing
buildings and vacant sites to construct a new facility and if an
existing building is not suitable, then they will construct a
new facility. Chairman John Harlander noted that if the postal
service receives no offers from the public during the
advertisement period, then the Council has authorized a
committee to be formed to assist the postal service in site
selection.
Chairman John Harlander adjourned
the meeting at 6:55 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 27, 2008, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Pursuant to due
call and notice there of a meeting of the Planning Commission in
and for the City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota, was
called to order by Chairman John Harlander at 6:30 o’clock in
the evening on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 in the Council Room
at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Other Planning
Commission members present for the meeting were: Todd Horton,
Will Seiler, Joseph Gilk, and Joseph Wedel. None were absent.
Councilor John Greer, Planning Commission Liaison, was also
present for the meeting.
Chairman John
Harlander called for any additions or corrections to the minutes
of February 4th and hearing none declared the said minutes
approved.
Matt Mohs, City
Engineer, Stan Hanson, City Engineer, with Bonestroo, St. Cloud,
MN, Paul Nelson, Plant Manager, Thomas Holmes, Plant
Superintendent, with Wells Concrete Products, Dean Mitchell,
Fire Chief Albany Fire Department, John Kotzer, and Chris Kotzer,
Albany Township residents, were present for the meeting.
Pursuant to
due notice, at 6:32 PM, Chairman John Harlander called the
public hearing into session on a request
by Wells Concrete Products, 210
Inspiration Lane, for a variance to increase the maximum height
of thirty-five (35) feet to allow for the construction of a new
production, batch, silo’s (bins), office, and finishing building
in the Albany Business and Industrial Park zoned M2. Mr.
Schneider noted that a proper notice was published in the
Stearns Morrison Enterprise on February 12th and no written
comments were received. Mr. Nelson appeared before the
Commission to discuss the proposed expansion of Wells Concrete
Products in the Industrial Park and noted that there will be two
new buildings. Mr. Nelson noted that the new plant will
manufacture precast/prestressed concrete products. Mr. Nelson
informed the Commission that the sidewall height for the
following buildings will be: production building is nearly 40
feet, lower walls on production building is nearly 30 feet,
batch building including two silos (bins) is 94 feet and the
finish building is 40 feet. Mr. Nelson noted that the height of
their buildings is necessary to facilitate the successful
production and movement of the products by the use of interior
ceiling cranes. Mr. Mitchell informed the Commission that he
has reviewed the site plan and met with Duffy Engineering, the
engineering firm hired by Wells Concrete Products; whereby he
has no issues or concerns with the variance request to increase
the maximum building height beyond thirty-five feet. Chairman
John Harlander closed the public hearing at 6:45 PM. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Will Seiler and seconded by
Joseph Wedel to recommend to the Council that the request by
Wells Concrete Products, for a variance to increase the maximum
height of thirty-five (35) feet, Zoning Ordinance Section 80.08,
to allow for the construction of a new production, batch
(silos), office, and finishing building in the Albany Business
and Industrial Park be approved. All voted for the motion and
it carried.
Mr. Nelson presented to the
Commission a proposed site plan prepared by Duffy Engineering,
St. Cloud, MN, depicting the 80-acre site for the development of
approximately 150,000 square feet of buildings which showed
grading, drainage, exterior lighting, landscaping, and parking.
Mr. Nelson noted that there are some minor adjustments that
are being discussed on the location of the finishing building,
trunk water/sewer mains, driveway on west side of property, and
storm water holding ponds, but should be completed before the
March 5th Council meeting. Mr. Hanson informed the
Commission he has had the opportunity to review the proposed
site plan and presented the following written comments dated
February 26th in a memorandum to the Commission:
o
Fire protection for
the proposed buildings will need to meet the requirements of the
City Fire Chief.
o
A utility plan will
need to be submitted for review and approval.
o
A Storm Water
Pollution Prevention Plan will need to be submitted for review
and approval.
o
A permit to modify
wetlands on the site will need to be approved by Stearns County.
The site plan approval will need to be contingent upon the
County’s approval of the wetland permit.
o
The City is
requesting roadway easements as well as drainage and utility
easements from the property owner. The easements are necessary
for the addition of a cul-de-sac at the west and east end of
Inspiration Lane. A drainage and utility easement is necessary
along the south boundary of Inspiration Lane. The easements
will need to be signed and recorded as a condition of the site
plan approval.
o
The City is
requesting drainage and utility easements from the property
owner for public utilities crossing the site. The easements
will need to be signed and recorded as a condition of the site
plan approval.
Mr. Hanson also noted that the
ditches (swales) and storm water “wet” ponds on the property
will help with water quality and are being designed for
development of the entire site or 80 acres. Mr. Mohs appeared
before the Council to discuss the construction schedule for the
trunk water and sewer mains, two cul-de-sacs on Inspiration
Lane, and upgrading Freedom Land and Inspiration Lane to 10-ton
roadway. Mr. Mohs noted that within a week, the specific
locations of the trunk water and sewer mains should be set which
extend to the southern edge of the property and bidding will
begin thereafter. Mr. Wedel noted that he reviewed the proposed
lighting plan and had no concerns. Chris Kotzer informed the
Commission that he has no concerns regarding the site plan, but
if the trunk utilities are extended into his property, he will
need to talk to the farmer who leases his property for that
specific area. After due discussion, a motion was made by
Joseph Gilk and seconded by Joseph Wedel to recommend to the
Council that the site plan submitted by Wells Concrete Products
be approved contingent upon the comments Mr. Hanson noted in his
memorandum dated February 26th and any other minimal
changes that need to be made with Mr. Hanson’s approval. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
Pursuant to due notice, at 7:35
PM, Chairman John Harlander called the public hearing into
session on a request by the Planning Commission to amend the
Zoning Ordinance 80.11, Subd. 3(f), the definition of Government
Sign. Mr. Schneider noted that a proper notice was published in
the Stearns Morrison Enterprise on February 12th and no written
comments were received. Mr. Schneider presented the following
amendment and recommended its approval:
“f) Government sign.
Shall mean any temporary or permanent sign erected and
maintained by the City, County, State, special district or
federal government for traffic direction or for designation of
or direction to any school, hospital, historical site, or public
service, property, or facility, and any temporary or
permanent sign erected and maintained within the public right of
way by the City, County, or State for designation of or
direction to any private business, service, property or
facility, provided that the number of signs or entities
designated does not exceed sixteen (16) per 1,000 lineal feet of
right of way. Such signs shall not be considered “off-premise
signs.”
Mr. Harlander closed the public
hearing at 7:40PM. After due discussion, a motion was made by
Joseph Wedel and seconded by Joseph Gilk to recommend to the
Council that the aforesaid amendment be approved. All voted for
the motion and it carried.
Chairman John Harlander, with the
consensus of the Commission, directed Mr. Schneider to prepare a
proposed lighting standard or specification for new commercial,
industrial, and multi-family buildings that can be given to the
developer to assure that any lighting on the property whether it
be for exterior lights, security lights, and parking lot lights
does not create a nuisance to the adjoining property and/or
general public.
Chairman John Harlander adjourned
the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm. |
