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City-county making progress on proposed highway complex
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
After going over the zoning application and listening to about 30 minutes of testimony, the Caledonia City Council approved seven of the nine requests Houston County presented for the proposed County Highway Department complex. The council reviewed the plans for the new facility, which would be located just north of the Caledonia Area High School/Middle School campus and south of Highway 76 on approximately 20 acres on the north edge of town, during the Nov. 24 council meeting.
During the public hearing, Harley Doering said he couldn’t see the proposed facility being located adjacent to the school and the new housing development.
“There’s land off County Road 12 that would be much better suited for this. Highway 76 is not the type of road where you can drive with full loads of material all year long. What about when road bans are in effect?” Doering asked.
“All the city council can do is look at the setbacks, and review the variance requests,” Mayor Mike Morey responded. “The city made this type of facility a permitted use in this zoning district. But we did increase the setbacks.”
Before the city changed the zoning ordinances earlier this year, a manufacturing facility could have been located within 50 feet of a single family home, Morey pointed out. He added the property was zoned industrial long before Doering’s property was rezoned residential.
City Zoning Administrator Mike Gerardy added the county plans call for a buffer berm and trees that will help screen the complex from the housing development.
“The county has done a good job setting the front of the building towards the housing development and all the storage areas in the back,” Morey said.
Doering then asked if the additional storm water run-off created by the new facility had been addressed.
Gerardy pointed out the county had addressed those issues with two water retention ponds. He added that the county is required by the MPCA to have a storm water run-off study completed before the project can go forward.
Houston County Highway Engineer Brian Pogodzinski explained the pond, to be located in the southeastern portion of the property, would be taking water in from the school campus, as well as from a portion of the county’s complex. A second pond, located in the northern portion of the property, would be taking in the majority of the run-off from the county complex.
One of the requests the county made was to have the city maintain all the storm water retention and detention facilities, once they were constructed by the county. The city council had issues with this request and asked Pogodzinski why this request was made.
Pogodzinski explained that cities over 5,000 population in Minnesota are currently required to own and maintain all water retention systems.
“If the city doesn’t own all the structures, how can it require the county or another private party to maintain it?” Pogodzinski pointed out.
“But if the county decided down the road to expand this facility, and would need to increase the size of the ponds, who would be responsible for this?” Morey questioned. Pogodzinski responded the county would have to pay for the expansion. He added that he understands the requirement that cities take over these structures will probably include all communities in the near future.
City Administrator Bob Nelson suggested that maybe the city will have to look at establishing a regional pond system that could handle the smaller ponds and run-off in town. And as areas are developed, charge the developers for the increased run-off.
“I don’t want this to be a deal breaker with this project,” Pogodzinski said. “I can understand your concerns. I’m sure this is something we can work out in the future.”
Steve Bauer and Gary Becker also voiced concerns with the county’s project. They asked if the property owners located east of the county’s facility would be assessed if and when the north-south road (Warrior Ave.) between the school campus and Highway 76 is constructed. They also asked about a sidewalk along the new street.
It was pointed out the county does not plan on completing the road from Highway 76, but will only build a short portion of it to access Highway 76.
A third concern from Bauer and Becker was that the backyards of the homes being built in this development would be facing the county’s facility. When it was explained the county plans an earthen berm and trees to screen the facility, and that the front of the complex would be facing the homes, and not the storage sheds for the trucks or material, they seemed satisfied.
What was approved
• The height requirements as established by the zoning ordinance for the Houston County Airport for the proposed radio tower, and a setback of one foot from all property lines for every foot of height.
• A variance on the building setback from 150 feet to 90 feet on the south property line. A stipulation was added to this request that if the school felt some type of screening be required, it could be requested within the first year the facility was built.
• The county will not be required to put a sidewalk along Highway 76 frontage unless the area is developed and all other parties are required to do so.
• A variance for the maximum height to the peak of the roof not to exceed 50 feet in height to allow for a gable roof system and also for the salt shed.
• The city will install and maintain street lights on North Warrior Ave.
• The city will waive the requirement for posting of a bond to the city for site excavation.
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