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MAY 17, 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 Thursday, May 17, 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, and Joseph Wedel. Members Joseph Gilk and Will
Seiler were absent. Councilor John Greer, Planning Commission
Liaison, was absent for the meeting.
Chairman John
Harlander called for any additions or corrections to the minutes
of March 19th and hearing none declared the said minutes
approved.
Paul Mareck, 21576
Co. Rd. #54, was present for the meeting.
Pursuant to due
notice, at 6:30 PM, Chairman John Harlander called the public
hearing into session on a request by Paul Mareck, 21576 Co. Rd.
#54, Albany, MN, for a Conditional Use Permit to conduct a Home
Occupation, a packaging business, within his residence in a R2
Zoning District. Mr. Schneider noted that a proper notice was
published in the Stearns Morrison Enterprise on May 1st and no
written comments were received. Mr. Mareck appeared before the
Commission to inform the Commission that this is a start up
business consisting of packaging bolts in small bags for various
customers and would use his space in his garage or home with one
employee. Mr. Mareck noted that if successful, he would
consider moving his business to a larger building in the
community. Mr. Mareck also noted that his product will be
delivered by a semi-truck at a business in the City and then off
loaded to his private trailer, and then either FedEx or UPS
would pick up his product at his home. Mr. Schneider informed
the Commission that typically Home Occupations are uses that are
very part-time and not full time whereby many commercial or
industrial buildings currently in the City have space available
for rent. Mr. Harlander noted that he would be opposed to any
semi-trucks being used for shipping and receiving products
because the zoning is residential and it would be impossible to
enter/exit from County Road 54. Mr. Mareck informed the
Commission that if he is successful in obtaining a large
contract for packaging from a major business, he will not
package at his residence and will rent space from an existing
business in Albany with hopes of eventually
owning his own building. After due discussion, a motion was
made by Todd Horton and seconded by Joseph Wedel to recommend to
the Council that the request by Mr. Mareck to conduct a Home
Occupation, a packaging business, be approved with the following
conditions:
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Conditional Use Permit is a one-year permit only and Mr.
Mareck must re-apply.
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No semi-trucks shall enter/exit the property.
All voted for the motion and it
carried.
The Commission took notice of a
proposed Tax Increment Financing Plan for Tax Increment Economic
Development Financing District No. 12 prepared by David Drown
Associates. Mr. Schneider noted that the purpose of the said
Plan is to assist with qualified developments located within the
newly constructed Albany Business and Industrial Park. Mr.
Schneider noted that the boundaries also include the 39 acre
site south of Inspiration Lane. Mr. Schneider also noted that
the projected expenditures within the TIF District which are
eligible for payment or reimbursement with tax increments and
projected sources of revenues available to fund the costs are
items such as the following:
- Capital Costs (land
acquisition, assessments, and site improvements)
- Finance Costs (bond/note
principal and interest)
- Administrative Costs (legal and
fiscal)
After due
discussion, a motion was made by Todd Horton who introduced the
following Resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE establishment
of Tax
Increment Finance District No. 12
and the
adoption of a Tax Increment Financing Plan relating thereto.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission
has reviewed the documents relating to the proposed
establishment of Tax Increment Finance District No. 12, and the
adoption of a Tax Increment Financing Plan relating thereto; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission
has been asked to provide a recommendation to the City Council
regarding the adoption of the same;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by
the Planning Commission of the City of Albany, Stearns County,
Minnesota (the "City"), as follows:
1.
The proposed development of the project area as described
in the Finance Plan will serve to complement the City's plans
for creation of housing in the City, and serves to promote the
City’s development objectives.
Adopted this 17th day
of May, 2007.
The motion for the
foregoing Resolution was seconded by Joe Wedel and after a full
discussion thereon and upon a vote being taken thereon, the
following voted in favor thereof: John Harlander, Joe Wedel,
and Todd Horton and none voted against the same; whereupon the
said Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Mr. Schneider presented to the Commission a proposed
draft prepared by the City Attorney of an Ordinance regulating
Biofuel Burners within the City. Mr. Schneider noted that the
City Council passed a moratorium on the installation of biomass
fuel burning stoves and heating units and the installation of
biomass fuel storage bins in March. Mr. Schneider noted that
the purpose of the said Ordinance will prohibit outdoor burners
and regulate indoor burners recognizing that wood smoke and
smoke generated by other outdoor solid fuel heating devices is
hazardous to an individual’s health and may affect the health of
the general public. Mr. Schneider also noted the Ordinance will
protect the public health, safety, comfort and general welfare
of the citizens. After due discussion, a motion was made by
Joe Wedel and
seconded by Todd Horton to recommend to the Council that the
Ordinance regulating Biofuel Burners be approved. All voted for
the motion and it carried.
Mr. Schneider updated the Commission on the proposed
6th Street and 3rd Avenue Reconstruction
Improvements which is to begin in mid June and related proposed
sidewalk extension from Lake Avenue to Soo Line Avenue on the
east side of 6th Street. Mr. Schneider noted that
the public hearing for the said Improvements is May 24th.
Mr. Schneider informed the Commission that a new
directional sign will be installed by members of Albany Area
Industries, Inc., south of the existing
County Highway signs
at the intersection of County Road No. 10 and No. 41 on property
owned by New Vision Alliance for the new Business and Industrial
Park. Mr. Schneider also noted that another directional sign
for the same purpose will be installed along County Road No. 41
on property owned by the City adjacent to the Wastewater
Treatment Ponds. Chairman John Harlander, with the consensus of
the Commission, noted that no advertisement signs may be placed
on or beneath the proposed two directional signs.
Mr. Schneider also informed the Commission that an
individual questioned if it was permissible to attach signs on
the bike rack in the City parking lot and signs along the Lake
Wobegon Trail alerting trail users to eat or shop at the local
businesses. Mr. Harlander, with the consensus of the
Commission, noted that off premise signs are prohibited in both
cases. Mr. Horton noted that it may be prudent to erect a
generic sign that gives direction to food and/or gas, but that
would have to be approved by MN DOT, the owner of the trail
right of way and
Stearns County, the
permittee of the trail. Mr. Schneider noted that local
businesses can advertise on the Chamber’s billboard adjacent to
the Dairy Queen, billboards on Interstate 94 and Chamber
marketing materials that are distributed throughout the State.
Chairman John Harlander adjourned
the meeting at 7:40 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
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