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MARCH
19, 2007, 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, March 19, 2007 in the Council Room at 400
Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Planning
Commission members present for the meeting were: John Harlander,
Todd Horton, Joseph Wedel, Joseph Gilk, and Will Seiler.
Councilor John Greer, Planning Commission Liaison, was present
for the meeting.
Chairman John
Harlander called for any additions or corrections to the minutes
of January 25th and hearing none declared the said minutes
approved.
Roger Dowell,
owner of the Albany Business and Industrial Park, and Pauline
Olson, Lease Manager, Lamar Advertising Company, 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 Roger Dowell, owner of the
Albany Business and Industrial Park, for a text amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance, Section 80.11, Subdivision 17 (e) to increase
the maximum distance within 100 feet of right of way of
Interstate 94 to allow off premises signs. Mr. Schneider noted
that a proper notice was published in the Stearns Morrison
Enterprise on March 6th and no written comments were received.
Ms. Olson appeared before the Commission to inform the
Commission that their intension is to erect two billboards on
Lot 3, Block 5, Albany Business and Industrial Park, but due to
County Road #156 paralleling or adjacent to Interstate 94
(I-94), the proposed site is greater than 100 feet from the I-94
right-of-way prohibiting billboards. Mr. Wedel noted that he
would not be opposed to a text amendment that would permit
billboards in locations where any County Roads are adjacent to
I-94 within a C-2 Highway Commercial Zone. Mr. Greer informed
the Commission that the City Attorney may need to define
adjacent or parallel to I-94 if an amendment is considered.
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 Section
80.11, Subd. 17 (e) be amended to permit off premises signs
located within 100 feet of the right of way of Interstate 94 and
any adjacent or parallel County Road with the City Attorney to
review the appropriate final language. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
Pursuant to due notice, at 6:46
PM, Chairman John Harlander called the public hearing into
session on a request by the Planning Commission to consider an
amendment to Ordinance 80 Zoning regulations that would prohibit
exterior grain bin structures as an accessory building in all
residential districts. (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5). Mr. Schneider
noted that a proper notice was published in the Stearns Morrison
Enterprise on March 6th and no written comments were received.
Mr. Schneider informed the Commission that homeowners have
considered alternate heating sources such as corn burners or
wood burners; whereby in some cases, homeowners have erected
grain bins on their property which become somewhat of a nuisance
or odd accessory structures in a neighborhood being many can be
purchased in different heights, exteriors, and sizes. Mr.
Schneider also informed the Commission that the City Council
approved at their March 7th
Council meeting a moratorium for a period of one year on the
installation of biomass fuel burning stoves, heating units, and
the installation of storage bins in the City of
Albany.
Mr. Schneider noted that when homes are in proximity or close
together, these units cause environmental concerns for
individual’s health and cities have experienced negative issues
such as excess smoke, piles of wood, neighbor disputes, and
excess piles of discarded construction materials. Mr. Wedel
noted that there are residential homes within the C1-Core
Commercial Zone and that this zone should be considered in the
proposed amendment.
Chairman John Harlander closed the public hearing at 6:50 PM.
After due discussion, a motion was made by Will Seiler and
seconded by Joseph Gilk to recommend to the Council that
amendment to Ordinance 80 Zoning regulations prohibiting
exterior grain bin structures as an accessory structure/building
in the following Districts: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and C1 be
approved. All voted for the motion and it carried. The full
text of the aforesaid amendment is on file at the office of the
City Clerk/Administrator for public inspection during regular
office hours.
Chairman John Harlander adjourned
the meeting at 7:00 PM.
Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm.
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