08-04-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

PEQUOT LAKES PLANNING&ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC REARING AUGUST 4, 1997 The Pequot Lakes Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing was called to order by Chairman M. Jurchen at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday,August 4, 1997,at the Pequot Lakes City Hall. Roll call: M.Jurchen; G. Welu; G.Jenson; J. Thompson; and F.Martinson present. Absent none. The public hearing was to consider amending the official Zoning District Classification and Zoning Map from the requirements of Pequot Lakes Zoning Ordinance No. 163 to reclassify and rezone from Public/Open to Exempt Commercial the following property: approximately 600' lying west of Government Drive and East of the Paul Bunyan Trail and approximately 75' lying north of East Sibley Street. The Zoning Administrator stated that she had not received any correspondence regarding this rezoning request. Rich Harris of United Building Centers stated he needed to know what the city's plans were for this property. Mr.Harris presented UBC's proposal to purchase this property from the DNR and to construct a building similar to the existing building on the west side of the trail. The property will be used for storage and additional parking. He stated that he had a letter from Burlington/Northern stating that for a fee they would remove the restrictive covenants on this parcel of property. There were no members of the public present in support of this project. Cindy Rieck,owner of Physical Therapy Services stated she was opposed to this project because the city had zoned this property as open space and that is what it was zoned when she purchased her property. She also did not want another storage building directly to the east of her property. Bart Dunn,owner of Timber Bay Designs and representing the trailside facility building committee, presented a history of the park's creation,the completion of the comprehensive plan designating the property green space and explained the deed restriction placed on the property by Burlington/Northern. John Pierron stated he was opposed to the rezoning because of the precident this would be setting for other businesses adjoining the trail property. Terry McGaughey was opposed to the rezoning stating that trail users are looking for aesthetic sites and the city needs to review the comprehensive plan and follow it. If UBC continues to grow it will may run out of room and may move out of town at that time. Rich Harris stated that UBC was not trying to hold the city hostage,he just wanted to know what the city's intent was for this land because they need to plan for their expansion,be it here or somewhere else. Bonnie Olson suggested that the commission review where the areas of potential growth are i.e. business, residential, etc. The public hearing portion of the meeting was closed. Motion by F. Martinson and seconded by J. Thompson to deny the rezoning from Public/Open to Exempt Commercial on the property described as follows: approximately 600' lying west of Government Drive and East of the Paul Bunyan Trail and approximately 75' lying north of East Sibley Street. Based on the findings that: