HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-10 Joint Board MIN 1
City of Stillwater and Stillwater Township
Joint Board
October 10, 2007
Present: David Johnson, chair, and Linda Countryman, Stillwater Township
Staff present: Stillwater Community Development Director Turnblad
Mr. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Case No. 07-45 Final plat and final PUD approval for Liberty Village 5th Addition and special
use permit for a commercial office/retail building at the southeast corner of County Road 12 and
15, Outlot D, Liberty Village. Mike Waldo, Liberty Office Group, LLC, applicant.
Mr. Turnblad reviewed the request for a proposed multiple-tenant building. The proposed mix of
uses is still undetermined at this point, he said, but uses could include a small restaurant space,
retail and office use. The proposed structure is a two-story building, with the top floor likely
devoted to office space, he said. He reviewed the site in Liberty Village commercial district. He
noted that 25 parking spaces will be provided in the lot, with an additional 12 on-street spaces for
this site, as part of the PUD approval. He stated the number of parking spaces provided will
support the proposed uses. Mr. Turnblad noted that according to the Orderly Annexation
Agreement, the Joint Board’s function is to review and comment on the plan for consistency with
the Comprehensive Plan and Annexation Agreement; official action/vote is not required. One of
the key elements of the Annexation Agreement, he stated, is reference to building design for the
Liberty Village area. He stated the use mix is consistent with the Annexation Agreement and
zoning of the property. He also stated the design plans have been reviewed by the Liberty
Village Commercial Association, by the Kroenings, who through a purchase agreement have a
private right for review of the design plans, and the City’s Heritage Preservation Commission, all
of whom have approved the architectural design. What is being proposed, he said, is consistent
with the PUD, preliminary plat, and the City’s zoning ordinance.
Mr. Johnson pointed out for the record that the public hearing portion of the meeting was
opened, and there was no one present who wished to speak at the public hearing. The hearing
was closed.
Mr. Johnson said he was familiar with the adjacent building, and it appears the design of this
structure will be very consistent with the neighboring building. Mr. Johnson asked if the space
would strictly be leased or sold as condo units. The developer said that determination has not
been made at this time. Ms. Countryman asked to see plans indicating how this proposed
building relates to the rest of the Liberty Village. Mr. Turnblad reviewed the site plans. Ms.
Countryman asked if this is the last piece of the Village Commercial; the developer responded
that the Kroenings have purchased a remaining outlot. Ms. Countryman asked about a potential
restaurant use; Mr. Turnblad and the developer spoke to difficulties encountered in trying to
solicit potential restaurant use, primarily related to unknowns about County Road 15. Ms.
Countryman asked how existing businesses were faring; the developer commented on the status
of the other existing businesses in the Village area.
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City of Stillwater and Stillwater Township
Joint Board
October 10, 2007
Ms. Countryman said she thought the proposed use/design was compatible with the area. Mr.
Johnson said he thought this was a straightforward request, commenting that the developer
appeared to have studied the rules and played by the rules. No formal action was taken.
Other business:
Mr. Turnblad informed members that St. Croix Preparatory Academy has taken steps to obtain
approvals for a new site. He asked that the Board take official action to close the public hearing
on the site previously under consideration. Mr. Turnblad briefly reviewed the new site, which
includes the Brown’s Creek Reserve area and several parcels in the Millbrook development. He
said a concept discussion was held at the Planning Commission on Oct. 8, and he reviewed a
potential timetable for consideration at the Joint Board level. It was agreed to set Nov. 15 as a
tentative meeting date.
Mr. Johnson asked what the City’s position might be on this new site. Mr. Turnblad noted there
are two primary differences with this site: this site has already been annexed, alleviating
concerns about early annexation issues, and this site enables parking to be isolated from adjacent
private residences. Mr. Turnblad pointed out that the primary issue continues to be traffic and
noted that an independent consultant had been hired to do a traffic analysis. Mr. Johnson asked if
it appeared there was adequate space at this site; Mr. Turnblad responded that it appears to him
to be adequate, but noted he is not a school planner. Mr. Turnblad asked about the Township’s
position regarding the possibility of blacktopping Neal Avenue to Highway 96; it was noted that
the Township maintains Neal and likely wouldn’t be opposed to the City/school folks paying to
blacktop the roadway. Mr. Johnson commented that if he were the school people, he would react
negatively to paying for the entire cost of blacktopping of Neal, speaking of the benefit to the
adjacent property owners for the road improvements. Mr. Turnblad responded that requiring the
school to pay for the blacktopping is somewhat of a compromise, pointing out that when the
properties on the other side of Neal are developed, they will have to pay to have the road
reconstructed to a full urban section. Mr. Johnson stated that if problems are encountered with
Neal, he would be willing to propose that the Township cooperate with the City to ensure that
Township residents along Neal are involved in paying their fair share, if necessary. Mr. Johnson
raised the potential of having the City annexing the road, doing the improvements and deferring
assessments to Township residents until their properties are developed.
The meeting was closed at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary