Princeton Township, Minnesota
Planning Commission Minutes
Public Hearing #1
On July 10, 2006, at 7:15 pm, Planning Commission Chairperson Eric Minks
called Public Hearing #1 to order. The purpose of the Public Hearing was
to discuss a Conditional Use Permit for Jay Wilda/business owner and Wayne
Pike/landowner to operate an indoor batting cage and training facility. Other
Planning Commission members present were Greg McBroom, Larry Ziebarth, Carl
Sanford, and John Moosbrugger. Tom Braun was absent.
Jay Wilda explained that he wants to put in an indoor batting cage/training
facility that will have four batting cages and will serve a baseball/softball
dual purpose. They will also have additional training time for coaches to
come in and work with their students, one on one, through batting and pitching.
There will be another area which would be a soft toss area. He also explained
that moms and dads can bring in their little kids that are just starting
out, getting on a team, and can work on their hand eye coordination and things
of that nature. That would be the premise of them starting out. Mrs. Wilda
also added that they would not be offering food, just sports beverages and
water. She stated that there would be no concessions, it would be strictly
a training facility and someplace for the youth and adults to come practice
and train.
A motion was made by Larry Ziebarth and seconded by Carl Sanford to close
the Public Hearing at 7:18 p.m. Motion Carried.
After the close of the meeting John Moosbrugger asked some informal questions
about the exact location and whether schools would also be using the facility.
Jay Wilda explained that he plans to get in with the school coaches, parks
and recreations, church leagues, bar leagues. They also plan on trying to
get in contact with the Twins organization when they do their spring caravan
and also other training camps. He will also try and get in tough with University
coaches and have them give up their time and come coach. All the way from
the little tikes up to College, even the Pros, if they just want to come
in and work out. It will be open year round. They indicated that they have
set hours now but may need to tailor those hours depending on demand.
Wayne Pike asked how long the rule for a Conditional Use Permit in a Commercial
Zone has been in effect. Greg McBroom indicated that it has been since the
early 1980's. Wayne Pike also asked why this is in effect. John Moosbrugger
indicated that it gives the township some control over what goes in. Greg
McBroom indicated that it was designed to give the township a chance to put
some input in, like for the parking lots or things like that. It was to have
some control and organization. Wayne Pike indicated that this whole process
has been ongoing for almost three months and he thinks that some people may
get discouraged to come into the Township. He also thinks that it is just
something that should be looked and changed somehow.
Loren indicated that in the upcoming fall, the Planning Commission should
take a look at the ordinances and consider redoing some of them. He thinks
that they should be looked at than every once in awhile to update them.
Regular Monthly Meeting
At 7:30 p.m. the Regular Monthly meeting was called to order.
A motion was made by Greg McBroom and seconded by Larry Ziebarth to approve
the minutes of June 5, 2006 as printed. Motion Carried.
The next item up for business was to discuss Public Hearing #1 regarding
the Conditional Use Permit for Jay Wilda/business owner and Wayne Pike/landowner
to operate an indoor batting cage and training facility. Eric Minks asked
if there would be any employees. Jay Wilda indicated that starting out, it
would just be himself, his wife, and sometimes his daughter helping out.
Eric Minks asked if the Wilda's had any other business like this. Jay indicated
no. and Mrs. Wilda indicated that this was a new venture for them. Eric Minks
thanked the Wilda's for choosing Princeton Township.
Loren Kohnen asked to suggest a few reasonable conditions that are similar
to what he has asked for from other businesses in the past. He stated that
handicap parking and an unloading space must be provided, and a black-topped
area and signage must also be provided. The building must be accessible and
there must be accessible bathrooms. Wayne Pike indicated that the bathrooms
are already accessible.
Loren Kohnen indicated that there needs to be a black-topped 5 foot unloading
space that lines up with the front door. The black top cannot be more than
5/8 of an inch jump between the door and the black top. Loren Kohnen indicated
that that was a federal law and told the Wilda's that if they had any questions,
he would be happy to meet them out there sometime to go over it.
John Moosbrugger asked if Loren had looked at the septic design. Loren Kohnen
indicated that it has been inspected and the septic and well meets the code.
Loren Kohnen asked Wayne Pike if the alarm for the septic system was hooked
up. Wayne Pike indicated that it is laying there but has not yet been hooked
up. They will do that when the Wilda's get there, so they will know if there
is a problem with the system.
A motion was made by Greg McBroom recommending approval of the CUP to the
Town Board with the flowing conditions:
1. Handicap parking and unloading space be provided. Must
be black-topped. Signage must also be provided.
2. Building must be accessible.
3. Provide accessible restroom.
Larry Ziebarth seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
Eric Minks asked Loren Kohnen if the other businesses in the Industrial Park
had also had to get Conditional Use Permits. Loren Kohnen indicated that
he was not sure because most of the businesses were there before he was working
with Princeton Township.
After some discussion regarding the Conditional Use Permits for Commercial
businesses, Eric Minks suggested that at a later date they should take a
look at the ordinance to see if a Conditional Use Permit that could be issued
by the staff would be the way to go, to save everyone some time. John Moosbrugger
indicated that that may be part of the Comprehensive Plan.
The next item up for business was the discussion regarding the reorganization
of PC Chair and Vice Chair. After some discussion, a motion was made by Greg
McBroom to leave the officers as they are until January 2007, and then at
that meeting, reorganization should occur. Larry Ziebarth seconded the motion.
Eric Minks suggested that maybe they wait until the February 2007 meeting
since the Planning Commission meeting is before the Town Board meeting, and
that is when they make appointments. Greg McBroom accepted the amendment.
Motion Carried.
The next item up for business was to discuss options on a Township Park at
New Life Christian Center, per Town Board/Larry Doose. Larry Doose was not
in attendance. Eric Minks made a motion to table the issue until next month.
Greg McBroom seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
The next item up for business was the Comprehensive Plan discussion. Larry
Ziebarth indicated that he did not have time to get all of the information
ready from the Comprehensive Meeting that he attended, so he will get that
together and try and bring something to either the August or September meeting.
After much discussion the Planning Commission members decided that a specific
time would be set up during the regular meeting to discuss the Comprehensive
Plan.
The next item up for business was Open Forum. There were no residents present
that wished to speak.
Loren Kohnen had a couple of issues that he wanted to inform the Planning
Commission of. The first one was with Jim Herlofsky. The Town Board wanted
him to check about the holding tanks. He indicated that he talked with Jim
and he told him that there is no one in the buildings, and when he does get
someone in there, Loren Kohnen will meet with them and go over the requirements.
The next issue was regarding a Conditional Use Permit for Tony Kooiman. He
stated that Mr. Kooiman fixes lawnmowers out of his shed. Loren indicated
that Mr. Kooiman had attended a staff meeting on July 6, 2006, and he was
somewhat floored that he had to pay $250.00 for a permit when he probably
makes that amount all year doing repair jobs. Loren indicated that Mr. Kooiman
was going to apply for the permit but was going to ask the Town Board to
be relieved of some of the fee. Loren Kohnen indicated that he is a one man
shop and works out of a 10 x 10 building. It is a very small business.
John Moosbrugger indicated that this was a perfect example of where the Town
Board should waive the fee.
A Motion was made by Greg McBroom and seconded by Carl Sanford to adjourn
the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Connie Wubben
Deputy Clerk
Attendees: Loren Kohnen. Todd McClouth, Mr. and Mrs. Wilda, and Wayne Pike