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PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING-TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007
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 Acting Chairman Todd Horton at 6:30 o’clock
in the evening on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 in the Council Room
at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Planning
Commission members present for the meeting were: Todd Horton,
Joseph Gilk, and Joseph Wedel. Chairman John Harlander and Will
Seiler were absent. Councilor John Greer, Planning Commission
Liaison, was present for the meeting.
Acting Chairman
Todd Horton called for any additions or corrections to the
minutes of August 27th and hearing none declared the said
minutes approved.
Russ and Cindy
Scherping, owners of Snap Fitness, were present for the meeting.
Pursuant to
due notice, at 6:35 PM, Acting Chairman Todd Horton called the
public hearing into session on a request by
Russ and Cindy Scherping, 1550 Railroad Avenue, for a
Conditional Use Permit to conduct a new business called “Snap
Fitness” within the Albany Manufacturing building on property
owned by Joseph Peternell within an M2 Industrial Zone. Mr.
Schneider noted that a proper notice was published in the
Stearns Morrison Enterprise on December 4th and no
written comments were received. Mr. Schneider also noted that
in the M2 Zone under conditional use, the proposed use is not
expressly permitted or prohibited, but will lead to economic
advantage and employment. Mr. Scherping appeared before the
Commission to inform the Commission that his business is for the
young and old to promote health and wellness with numerous types
of fitness equipment. Mr. Scherping noted that the business
will be staffed approximately 20 hours per week, open 24/7, and
members will access the building when not staffed by a coded
plastic card. Mr. Scherping also noted that video or security
cameras are installed inside the building which operates on
movement or motion for added security for the members. Mr.
Greer questioned if any cameras were considered on the exterior
of the building or if parking lights were to be installed. Mr.
Scherping noted that he does not own the property and has
mentioned to Mr. Peternell about paving the parking lot and
adding parking lot lights; whereby in the mean time, he is
contacting XCEL Energy to request permission to attach a
directional light on an existing electric pole to illuminate the
front entrance area of the building. Mr. Gilk reminded Mr.
Scherping that if signs are considered, a Zoning Permit is
required. Acting Chairman Todd Horton closed the public hearing
at 7:00 PM. After due discussion, a motion was made by Joseph
Gilk and seconded by Joseph Wedel to recommend to the Council
that the request by Russ and Cindy Scherping, 1550 Railroad
Avenue, for a Conditional Use Permit to conduct a new business
called “Snap Fitness” within the Albany Manufacturing building
on property owned by Joseph Peternell within an M2 Industrial
Zone be approved contingent that if advertising signs are
considered, they must comply with the Sign regulations. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
The Commission took notice of a
request by the City Council to consider action on the future use
of City owned property at 1030 6th Street formally
Municipal Well No. 2, which since has been abandoned due to high
arsenic levels which exceeded the Federal Drinking Water
Standards. Mr. Schneider presented to the Commission a
certificate of survey which shows the property to be 150 feet in
width along 6th Street and approximately 142 feet in
depth. Mr. Wedel noted that the property is zoned single family
residential and all homes adjacent or nearby are all single
family residential. Mr. Greer questioned if a neighborhood
Park is an option having received the question from a property
owner near the former well site. Mr. Wedel noted that North
Park and the Highland Park is fairly close to this property and
is opposed to such a request. Mr. Schneider informed the
Commission that the Zoning is designated for single family
residential and either a buyer could construct one large home or
two homes on each lot which allow the property to be very
marketable. Mr. Schneider noted that the assessments on the
property for the 6th Street Improvements are
approximately $14,500 and if two separate lots are considered,
then an assessment of $7,250.00 for each lot. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Joseph Wedel and seconded by
Joseph Gilk to recommend to the Council that the aforesaid
property be sold either as one lot or two separate lots. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
Acting Chairman Todd Horton
informed the Commission that the Planning Commission term of Mr.
Wedel will expire at the end of the year; whereby if interested
in reappointment by the Council, the new term would be a
five-year term. Mr. Wedel informed the Commission that he has
enjoyed being a member of the Commission and if the Council so
chooses to reappoint him as a member, he would accept.
Mr. Schneider informed the
Commission that the City has received a couple of complaints
regarding the exterior security lights that have been installed
on the building south of Interstate 94 at Rocky Ridge Outlet,
209 Co. Rd. #156 from property owners who reside along Golf View
Drive; whereby the lights are annoying and disturbing for those
trying to sleep and enjoy the peacefulness of their living
rooms. Mr. Wedel noted that there is a light fixture called
“cut off” which is a exterior light that can be directed down
and set to a certain distance for illumination, but doesn’t
believe the lights in question are such. Mr. Greer questioned
whether or not the site plan required the applicant to submit a
lighting plan and if not, it should be added for future
projects, but didn’t feel the City had any legal means to have
the lights turned off. Mr. Schneider informed the Commission
that he spoke to Roger Dowell, the owner of the property;
whereby Mr. Dowell responded that the electrician installed
these same lights on other commercial/industrial buildings up
and down the interstate. Mr. Gilk informed the Commission that
street lights will be added to the Industrial Park in the spring
and other business too will add security lights and saw no
issues with the present lighting. Acting Chairman Todd Horton
directed Mr. Schneider to contact MN DOT to see if the exterior
security lights have caused any traffic concerns for motorists
on Interstate 94 and noted that at this point, no action is
considered.
Mr. Schneider informed the
Commission that Mayor Dennis Sand received a letter from the
District Manager for the Albany Post Office informing the City
that the present postal facility at 141 5th Street is
inadequate to serve the future postal needs of Albany. Mr.
Schneider noted that funds for a new Post Office have been
secured and that additional information will be presented by the
District Manager at the January 16th Council
meeting.
Mr. Schneider also informed the
Commission that the City Council will consider business subsidy
assistance for Wells Concrete Products at their December 19th
Council meeting. Mr. Schneider also noted that a site plan for
their buildings will be done in mid-January and submitted to the
Commission for review.
Acting Chairman Todd Horton
adjourned the meeting at 7:35 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
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