Industrial Park Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2019

A meeting of the Industrial Park Commission was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, by Chairman Feldt.

Members Present: Acord, Feldt, Grissman, Jerome, Knaus, Knutson, Nytes, Schmidt (via conference call).

Also Present: Mayor Penterman, Planning Director Jakel, Director of Public Works Sundelius, Principal Planner Watson, Assistant Fire Chief Grindheim, Planning/Engineering Tech Holmes, Applicants, Media, Interested Citizens.

Absent and Excused: Schilling.

• Minutes. A motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2019, meeting was made by Acord, seconded by Knaus. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

• Relocation of North Pole Christmas Display. Mr. Jakel explained that the Commission previously reviewed the matter and asked for a site review of the event and a survey of adjoining business owners. Mr. Jakel explained that there were several advantages to relocating the display from its current location in a residential neighborhood to the Industrial Park including a larger site with wider streets, a circular street pattern to move traffic without having to turn around or back up, and the ability to restrict traffic in the Industrial Park to accommodate the display. Mr. Jakel explained that Concrete Cutters may opt to allow some limited parking on site during peak times. Mr. Jakel explained that some disadvantages include heavy truck traffic as sited by two business surveyed regarding the display, however, he felt that concern could be mitigated by limiting parking to one side of the street to eliminate pedestrians in the roadway. Mr. Jakel explained that police patrol of the area could be increased for safety and traffic control.

  Ms. Watson explained that staff conducted a survey of businesses adjoining the proposed display and received feedback from the majority. The primary concern was trespassing on private property as well as truck traffic and maintaining emergency access.

  Mr. Schmidt explained that there are parking restrictions already in place in the area of the proposed display and that the relocation would be moving a problem from one place to another. Mr. Schmidt explained that there are areas in the City better suited for displays such as this and suggested considering public parks which are designed for public access and traffic.

  Mr. Knaus asked if Hydro Park had been considered as a possible location. Mr. Jakel explained that there are two issues relative to using a park – one is the private entity’s use of public property, and also that the applicant was not interested in locating in a park due in part to the lack of security and the ability to monitor the display in off hours.

  Mr. Acord asked about protective covenants in the Industrial Park Network and that fact that the display was religious in nature. Mr. Jakel explained that the content of the display is immaterial and that the process underway is in keeping with procedure laid out in the protective covenants. Mr. Jakel recommended approving the display on a one-year basis to allow of adjustments in following years to address any public safety concerns or issues with the protective covenants.

  Mayor Penterman explained that he has received numerous messages in support of the display and he agreed that it is a positive event for the City. Mayor Penterman asked that the Commission approve the relocation request.

  Chairman Feldt explained that staff conducted the site visit and the business survey as requested by the Industrial Park Commission at a previous meeting. A motion to approve the relocation of the North Pole Christmas display from its current Rusty Court location property adjoining Badger Road and Prospect Lane for one-year to allow for future adjustments to ensure public safety and compliance with the protective covenants was made by Knaus, seconded by Jerome. Upon roll call, seven aye (Acord, Feldt, Grissman, Jerome, Knaus, Knutson, Nytes); one nay (Schmidt). Motion carried.

• Site Plan Review Process. Ms. Watson explained that form would streamline the review process for staff, developers, and business owners creating a one-stop process with clear turn-around times. The form would also allow for input by all City departments, an item that was shortcoming in the past. Mr. Feldt asked if that was the same process that was recently approved by the Plan Commission. Ms. Watson explained that it was. Mr. Jakel explained that elements of the form include the same information that is required for the submittal of state-approved plans and won’t create any additional burdens for developers. A motion to approve the site plan review process as presented was made by Knaus, seconded by Acord. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
• General Matters. Mr. Feldt commended staff on thoroughly researching all options for the location of the North Pole display as well as conducting the site visit and business survey as requested by the Industrial Park Commission.

There being no further business to be brought before the Commission, a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 a.m. was made by Jerome, seconded by Nytes. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Julianne Schroeder

Community Development Coordinator