Small Town News

School receives city OK for storage building at elementary

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The Chatfield School District can move ahead with constructing a large storage building near the new elementary school following a decision by the Chatfield City Council to allow a conditional use permit (CUP) for it, which members approved at their Aug. 24 meeting.

It was preceded by a special Planning and Zoning Committee meeting and public hearing in which the issue was discussed and the P&Z also issued two i zoning variances, which it has authority to do.

The CUP issue involved building a storage building an a residential (Rl zoned) area. The variances dealt 'with a 3,200 sq. ft. building, which is larger than the 2,192 allowed by the ordinance, and its height of 24 ft., which exceeds the zoning ordinance by 8 ft. Citing the fact that the new school sits on a 55-acre site and its size, P&Z approved the variances.

Contracted city planner Kristi Clarke ran through the information, stating the storage shed would be made of post frame rather than regular wood. Chatfield Superintendent Don Hainlen also spoke, noting the school would build just one shed instead of a number of smaller ones. He said it was a safety issue for the school, a place to hold machinery. Also, it would hold items used for special needs. He noted those items have accumulated over the years and are not always needed, but do need to be stored.

In looking at the issue city clerk Joel Young said they had to run through findings of fact. They included finings that the building would not be expected to depreciate the value of existing area homes. It would not be close to other empty lots. Also, the use was reasonably related to the land. The CUP was approved.

The council also approved the preliminary plat of the Hilltop Estates Second Division, as presented by Geoff Griffin and his related business. A public hearing had already been held at the P&Z level. Young said some issues still needed to be worked out with neighbors and that those decisions were spelled out in the development agreement with the city

Griffin also was present to speak about the six-lot development. He said storm water had been a "hangup." He had worked out terms with Amy Donahoe, who has another development down the hill, regarding one of the issues.

However, upon running a title review, it was found that Donahoe had deeded an upper lot to her partner, Conrad Fingerson. He was unwilling to work with Griffin on the project, it appeared, unless there would be a financial benefit or promises involving future development.

Griffin stated he had revised plans and the storm water runoff after the project is less than it was before the project, since now more water goes to a west pond. He said it goes down a 50 ft. "entrenched channel."

After discussion the preliminary plat was approved, including the development agreement.



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© 2009 The Chatfield News Chatfield, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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