HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-03-07 CPC MINNOTICE OF MEETING
The next meeting of the Stillwater Planning Commission will be held:
Monday, March 7, 1977
Stillwater Council Chambers
7:30 P.M.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of February 14, 1977 Meeting
3. Special Use Permit:
Case No. 255. Applicant: Jerry T. Witschen. Address of
Property: 115 South Martha. Permit to convert duplex to
three-plex.
4. Recommendation to City Council on RTR's Nelson School Proposals
5. Special Use Permits:
Case No. 262. Applicant: Reliance Development Company. Address
of Property: Vicinity of County Road 12 and Interlachen Drive.
PUD for townhouses and single family dwellings.
Case No. 264. Applicant: Michael McGuire. Address of Property:
Old car wash site on St. Croix River. Permit to conduct
commercial business on property zoned two-family.
6. Downtown Concerns:
Dominium Group, Inc. - housing for the elderly
Downtown Parking - City's proposal to purchase property at the
corner of Third and Olive Streets
Highway Department - downtown highway bypass
7. Adjournment
Dated: February 28, 1977
Jeffrey A. Zoller, Chairman
In accordance with Council action of April 12, 1977 this
mattdr is being referred to the PLANNI.ZG CO!�'ZIISSION
PUBLIC WORKS C01,,Y1ITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY C0vY1ITTEE
for study and recommendation..
March 15, 1977
TO: Mayor Junker and the Stillwater City Council
FROM: Stillwater Downtown Council
The following are the recommendations which the
Stillwater Downtown Council would like to make to
the City Council and Mayor Junker.�
Accept the recommendations of the Minnesota Highway '
Department to rearrpnge traffic flow by using pro-
tected left turns at Myrtle Street and Main Street
for Northbound traffic, and a protected left turn for
Southbound traffic at -Main and Chestnut Streets.
Prohibit left -turn at Main and Chestnut for Northbound
traffic. Eliminate parking meters on the West side
of Main Street between Myrtle and Chestnut Streets.
MB:dj
DOWNTOWN
ST'ALLWAT i
Sincerely
i
Monty Sr'ine, Pres.
STILLWATER DOWNTOWN COUNCIL
STILLWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
PLACE: Council Chambers
TIME: 700 P.M.
DATE: March 7, 1977
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeffrey Zoller Russell Meister
Ann Bodlovick Charles Swanson
Dale Kress
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Jeffrey Zoller cdlled the meeting to order. Ann Bodlovick moved that
the minutes of the February 14, 1977 meeting be approved as submitted. The motion
was seconded and passed unanimously.
SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Case No. 255. Applicants Jerry T. Witschen. Address of Property: 115 South
Martha. Permit to convert duplex to three-plex. Mr. Witschen felt he could meet
all of the requirements outlined in a memorandum to the Planning Commission and
City Council from the Building Inspector. Mr. Witschen also indicated he had been
mistaken as to the ceiling height in the basement --it will be 7' 6" instead of
6' 6% He doted that he had talked to a plumber regarding the capacity of the
cesspool, and the plumber indicated there should be no problem with the additional
unit.
Russell Meister moved that the Planning Commission recommend that Jerry T.
Witschen be granted a special use permit to convert a duplex to a three�plex at
115 South Martha, Stillwater, provided that Mr. Witschen meets all of the require-
ments of the Building Inspector. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
RTR'S NELSON SCHOOL PROPOSALS
Mr. Robert Hagstrom, representing River Town Restorations, briefly reviewed
the four proposals for the Nelson School property which had been discussed at the
February 14 Planning Commission meeting. He stated that the four condominium units,
Proposal I, would be the most desirable, although Proposal II, 8 units for the
elderly, would also be feasible.
Ann Bodlovick stated that she had heard from two families living near Nelson
School, and they expressed the opinion that the only proposal they would accept
would be housing for the elderly.
Mr. Hagstrom stated that he would like the Commission's recommendation, so
that RTR can develop further plans.
Russell Meister moved that the Stillwater Planning Commission recommend that
RTR be granted concept approval of Proposal I. four Condominium units, for the
Nelson School property. If Proposal I does not prove to be feasible, the alternate
Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes
March 7, 1977
Page Two
plan recommended is,Proposal II, eight units for the elderly. In the event Proposal
II is chosen by RTR, they must appear before the Planning Commission for approval
of final plans. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Case No. 264. Applicant: Michael McGuire. Address of Property: Old car wash
site on St. .Croix River. Permit to conduct commercial business on property zoned
two-family. Chairman Jeffrey Zoller stated that he had talked to DNR personnel
regarding the proposed restaurant and dock on the St. Croix, and they pointed out
that Mr. McGuire would need the City's approval before the matter could!be resolved
by DNR.
Mr. McGuire stated that he would need a permit.from the City, the DNR and the
Corps of Engineers. He noted that he had come before the Commission in August of
1 976"in regard to the dockage facility, and he had been granted concept approval.
Mr. McGuire showed the Commissioners drawings of the proposed restaurant, pointing
out that the building will be 3,000 square feet in size to accommodate 120
customers. He noted that the elevated building will be approximately 4 feet above
flood plain. Mr. McGuire stated that he would like to begin construction next fall
and open one year from now. He pointed out that his parking will depend upon the
decision as to where the highway bypass will be located. Mr. McGuire wondered if
he might be granted some form of limited concept approval contingent on the
bypass, so that he might be able to proceed to discuss this proposal with the DNR.
If the bypass goes through, the approval could be withdrawn.
It was decided that further discussion of this matter would be held after
the Highway Department's presentation on the highway bypass at this meeting.
Mr. McGuire stated that he would also like to discuss his plans for the old
NSP building (Case No. 229) at this time. He showed the Commissioners drawings
of the building. He noted that he would like to put a restaurant in this building
to seat 50 people. He stated he will need a permit to construct apartments in the
upper floor. At present, Mr. McGuire is considering two studio apartments for
part of the upper floor. He was unaware that two parking spaces were needed for
each apartment, one enclosed. He stated that he would be able to provide off-
street parking for the apartments.
Charles Swanson pointed out that it would be better if Mr. McGuire could
come to the Commission with a total plan for the upper level, so that approval
can be considered for the whole project rather than a piecemeal operation.
Mr. McGuire agreed with this thought and stated he would return with a
Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes
March 7. 1977
Page Three
complete plan for the upper floor.
Case No. 262. Applicant: Reliance Development Company. Address of Property:
Vicinity of County Road 12 and Interlachen Drive. .PUD for townhouses and single
family dwellings.
Chairman Jeffrey Zoller noted that concept approval had been granted and the
Public Hearing has been scheduled for March 22.
Mr. William_Schwab, County Planning Coordinator, presented a memorandum
regarding the Reliance Development Company project. He pointed out that a number
of problems have not been resolved and will need to be faced after a more in --depth
study of the site has been made by Reliance.
A resident living on the end of Crestwood Terrace stated concern about the
steep grade on the property, and also in regard to the increased traffic on Crestwood
Terrace.
This case will now go before the City Council March 22.
DOWNTOWN CONCERNS
Chairman Jeffrey Zoller stated that the City is now considering an option on
the property at the corner of Third and Olive Streets, since the downtown area is
in need of parking space. Chairman Zoller stated that he had contacted Dominium
Group, Inca and the Highway Department, asking that they come to this meeting to
report to the Commission.
Mr. McGuire showed the Commissioners a drawing which indicated how much parking
the downtown area has at present, excluding metered parking on the streets. He
stated that the Downtown Parking Committee does not have a recommendation at this
time as to the property at Third and Olive Streets.
Mr. Jack Safar, Dominium Group, Inc., presented drawings of the proposed
low to moderate income elderly -housing to be constructed on Second Street. The
building will have 93 units and will be eight stories. Mr. Safar stated that the
commonly accepted adequate parking ratio for a building of this type is one stall
for every four dwelling units, keeping in mind that this will be housing for the
elderly. This plan has 24 uhenclosed parking stalls to the front of the building.
Ms. Theo Telke'asked Mr. Safar if Dominium had built other housing of this
type in the Twin Cities area. Mr. Safar stated that they have buildings in this
area and in Wisconsin and that she was welcome to see the plans in their offices
In St. Paul.
Mr. Safar stated that they hope to start construction as early as June or July..
Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes
March 7► 1977
Page Four
Mr. Thomas O'Ryan, Project Manager, and Mr. Glen VanWormer, Traffic Engineer,
for the Minnesota Highway Department, presented the alternatives for the highway
bypass. Mr. O'Ryan pointed out that a bypass would eliminate approximately 15%
of thru traffic in Stillwater. One of the bypass plans under consideration would
take with it 70 parking spaces along the River.
Mr. VanWormer showed the Commission a plan for Main Street which he felt
should be considered in addition to the highway bypass. It would eliminate the
left turn (going north) from Main Street to Chestnut, forcing the traffic to
turn left at Myrtle Street. Twenty parking spaces would be eliminated by this
plan (on street parking). This would allow the northerly traffic to flow more
smoothly. One problem might be that the traffic would turn left on Olive Street.
When asked the cost of this plan, it was estimated that the new semaphore at
Main and Myrtle would cost $35,000 plus the cost of marking the street. The
bypass will cost approximately $1,000,000, with the City's share to be
approximately $360,000 plus right of way acquisition.
Mr. O'Ryan stated that the Highway Department is in the process of finalizing
their recommendations to the City and should complete their study this month. He
pointed out that the highway bypass will not solve all of Stillwater's traffic
problems.
Chairman Jeffrey Zoller noted that the Commission has 45 days in which to
make a recommendation to the City Council. Mr. McGuire stated that the Downtown
Parking Committee will give the Planning Commission their recommendation on'the
parking situation at the next Commission meeting, April 4.
SPECIAL USE PERMIT
(Case No. 264) Mr. McGuire asked for a tentative approval to proceed with
his plans for the restaprant. A representative of -the DNR stated that a permit
will be required if the proposed docks are to be permanent, and a preliminary
local approval would be necessary. It was noted that Mr. McGuire had been given
concept approval for the dock by the Planning Commission.
Russell Meister moved that the Stillwater Planning Commission recommend that
Michael McGuire be granted a special use permit to construct a restaurant and dock
at the old car wash site and operate a commercial business on property zoned
two-family, subject to the final decision on the proposed highway bypass. If.
the highway'bypass'.is constructed, Ptr MdGulav'will.be required to submit
Stillwater Planning Commission Minutes
March 7, 1977
Page Five
new plans before proceeding with any project on the car wash property. The notion
was seconded and passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at MOO P.M.