The Peterson Council unanimously approved a zoning variance at their June 10 meeting. The decicion came after a public hearing with the Planning Commission an hour prior. The Jenkins house project sought approval for a new residential construction at 121 Prospect Street, but needed a variance from floodplain fill requirements within the Floodplain Overlay District and variances from applicable setback requirements under the Peterson Zoning Ordinance.
According to the agenda statement, “The property is located within the general floodplain (zone AE), but is not located within the mapped floodway. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reviewed the project and determined the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation to be 751.7 feet.” This is the minimum elevation the lowest floor of the structure must be. All mechanical, electrical, and utility equipment must be above this level. The level of the site now is 747-748 feet, meaning areas will require added three to four feet of elevation.
Notes from the Planning Commission show the property is “constrained by its size and configuration,” that “strict application of the ordinance would create practical difficulties, the requested relief is the minimum nevessary to allow reasonable use of the property,” that “the proposed development will not increase flood elevations or create additional flood hazards,” and that the DNR expressed no objection to a reasonable variance from the fill extension requirement.”
In order to meet variance conditions, the construction must conform to plans submitted with the variance application. The applicant must also provide a final elevation certificate of as-built survey verifying compliance.
“The variance is for the information you provided us today. It’s still your resonsibility to make sure you are in compliance with ordiances. It’s your responsibility to do your design and construction the way it was discussed. Professional verification is acknowleding elevation is surveyed. It’s to be done, no city guarantee. The city is not liable if something is out of compliance and any corrective work or reconstruction to bring the property back into compliance is his responsibility,” said City Clerk Chris Grindland. “Until the levee gets certified, this is what you have to do. You have to build above that level.”
The council also approved the designation of a city supervisor and appointed Councilor Tracy Seelbinder to the role at a rate of $30 per hour for up to 30 minutes per weekday, excluding weekends. Mayor Chris Stenzel stated the Personnel Committee recently completed meetings with the clerk and Public Works Director Jeff Rein, which prompted some of the discussion.
“Somebody used to oversee the workers a bit and make sure things were going as planned. We’re trying to get it to maybe just one person talks to them instead of all of us,” said Stenzel. “The city supervisor will serve as the primary point of contact between the city council and the city employees and will oversee day to day city operations. This structure is intended to improve communication, provide clear employee supervision and accountability to streamline operational decision making.”
I think it’s just good to have that person supervise,” said Grindland. “I think the goal wouldn’t be to have it less and less, but to have it constant. One point of contact to communicate to city workers and become the expert of what’s happening the city.”
Additional compensation for the Planning Commission members was also approved by the council at a rate of $50 per meeting. Commission members Seelbinder, Karlin Symons, Steve Paulson, and Jim Atkinson have served long hours with no compensation to date. Stenzel pointed out how busy they’ve been and indicated it’ll only increase with added projects such as the new campground coming in.
“The Planning Commission, they do a lot behind the scenes,” said Grindland. “Since I’ve been here, the commission has never been compensated. I think it would be fair to pay them for their time per meeting.” He added, “It’s nice to have people who want to do that and it’s tough to find people who want to be on those committees. Time is important.”
According to Grindland, meetings typically last, depends on the topics involved, including developing plans, developing changes to ordiances, and the time spent researching these things. “They’re doing all the work and it comes to you for approval.” Grindland’s time with the commission will not be similarly compensated since it’s already a part of his duties.
Lastly, the filing period for candidacy for city elections opens July 14 and closes July 28. There are three seats ending December 31: the mayoral seat, a two-year term, and the council seats currently held by Councilors Gail Boyum and Kristina Grindland, which are four-year terms. Citizens interested in running must file an affadavit of candidacy and pay the $2 filing fee. This can be done at city hall.
Leave a Reply