Chatfield councilors listened to annual reports for 2017 from Planning and Zoning, Heritage Preservation, and the Economic Development Authority at their February 26 meeting.
Kristi Clarke, consultant/city planner, reported that the city gained 19 new single family residences in 2017. New residential construction and remodels added over $5 million of value. The city is left with only 21 available lots that have not been sold within established subdivisions.
Much of the added commercial/institutional construction value (over $10 million) was attributable to the high school remodel.
Clarke explained that the planning commissioners and staff review conditional use permits each year city wide. There are 17 active CUPs and all are in compliance.
Due to a number of zoning issues concerning exterior storage over the past summer, some edits are recommended to the External Storage section of the city’s ordinances. Automobiles and pickups, if operable and licensed, can be parked off street. If not, they need to be stored within a building or be fully screened from adjoining properties. Junkyards and auto storage areas within commercial and industrial zones shall be completely screened. Planning and Zoning had a public hearing on the changes and recommended approval. A motion was approved to have the city attorney draft the ordinance changes.
Recommended changes to the Conveyance Code were approved. The changes will allow a combination of up to three platted lots. This could expand usage of the lots along Enterprise Drive, allowing the combining of lots if needed. The planning and zoning commission will review upon application of the owner to combine lots and then provide recommendations to the city council.
Robert Vogel, historic preservation planner, said the Heritage Preservation Commission has a three prong mission: identify and protect significant historic sites, manage resources, and insure that heritage resources are not destroyed through city sponsored activity. Vogel noted there are about 30 properties that meet the criteria for a historic site. The criteria are similar to those required for national historic places.
Chris Giesen, EDA coordinator, highlighted economic development activities over the past year. Improvements made to Enterprise Drive (Industrial Drive) were encouraged by the EDA. The Greater Minnesota Public Infrastructure awarded a $177,103 grant and MiEnergy provided a $300,000 (0% interest) loan to help finance the improvement project.
Phase I renovations at the Chatfield Center for the Arts were completed. An application for over $7 million of 2018 bonding funds for Phase II renovations has been made.
Assistance was provided to Semcac Rolling Hills Transit to bring a busing service to Chatfield.
Efforts toward community marketing have been made, including the creation of the 2017 community visitors guide brochure.
There are currently seven active loans from the EDA’s revolving loan fund.
A loan request from Rocky and Melissa Burnett in the amount of $25,000 was approved. The loan is to be repaid over 10 years at 4% interest. The couple plans to purchase a commercial building (208 South Main) to relocate their nine-year-old home based business. The building has been vacant for decades. “Big Girl Stickers” specializes in screen printing, home décor, and vinyl lettering. Plans include the remodeling of the building and the creation of two new apartments upstairs.
Other business in brief
• The purchase of a new 524K John Deere front end loader and the replacement of plow and wing for an 18-foot HLA Snow Pusher was approved as requested by Brian Burkholder. A 2005 444J John Deere front-end loader will be traded in. The cost after trade is $96,351.
The installation of a water storage reservoir mixer in the 100,000 gallon reservoir on Old Territorial Rd. was approved. Burkholder noted the tank has had significant ice buildup. A mixer will prevent ice buildup. The lowest of two quotes for a GridBee GS-9 from KLM Engineering, Inc. at the cost of $11,700 was accepted.
Approval was given to complete a leak detection survey of the all the city’s water mains by Midwest Leak Detection at a cost of $700.
• The second consideration of Ordinance #429, changing a street name (Industrial Drive to Enterprise Drive), was approved along with its publication.
• The 15 members of the city’s Charter Commission serve four year terms. This year eight positions need to be filled. Six agreed to be reappointed and one was newly appointed. There is one vacancy. The appointments were approved (Dan Tuohy, Chris Giesen, Ed Harris, Lee Amundson, Mark Docken, Wayne Halvorson, and Julie Henry).