The Crookston Planning Commission met on Monday night and had just one action item setting some conditions for a conditional use permit for 122 West Fletcher. The conditional use permit request is for a ground-level handicap apartment in what is zoned as the business district (C1). The building currently has two ground-level apartments in it, one with a conditional use permit.
Northern Properties, who owns the building, said in their application they had been unable to rent the space for several years. While commission member Shirley Iverson said, she thought it was a slippery slope to give permission to convert a commercial space the commission also recognized that West Fletcher had been a challenging place for businesses. The commission’s only conditions were adequate off-street handicap parking, and meeting all codes for a ground level and handicap accessible units that are applicable as determined by the Building Official Greg Hefta. Hefta said that would include having two means of access and window treatment to limit visibility into the apartment from the street. “We have to have two means of access and make sure the apartment is handicap capable and meets all codes for handicap access,” said Hefta. “But also make sure we have parking for that apartment available. And window coverings or something to make that apartment not so visible from the street.”
Additionally, a conditional use permit will need to be approved by the Crookston City Council. The commission also had a discussion on the possible gift of land from Jeff Evers to the City of Crookston and whether zoning would that property would fit within Crookston’s comprehensive plan. The property has been used as an access to the Red Lake River to canoe or kayak to Central Park. The commission felt that it would be an excellent acquisition for Crookston. “It would be a good gift for the City of Crookston,” said Hefta. “It would be good access for kayaking and canoeing. It would be approximately an hour and a half to downtown [Central Park] for any canoe trip taken. It’s a nice piece of property.”
The City Council would have to approve the gift, and the planning commission would then need to hold a public hearing to zone the property if the gift of property moves forward. The board then discussed Nature View Estates Plat 5. There was no action taken, but chairman Joe Kresl said he thought the nature area was a benefit to the City of Crookston. Kresl added his son and friends frequently visit the ponds. Bob Herkenhoff owns the land and is proposing a 14-lot development in Plat 5 with the completion of Eickhof Boulevard. Herkenhoff would also donate the northern portion of his natural area to the City of Crookston as part of the development with an agreement to give the southern portion in the future. Before action can be taken, the developer’s agreement will need to be finalized. The proposal would include the completion of Eickhof in the city’s 2020 street improvements, and the land would also need to be rezoned from Farming Residence (FR) to one of the residential zones which would require a public hearing.
The general discussion from the commission was that they are in favor of the development moving forward and what it could do for Crookston. Hefta said the development looks promising, but there are still several things that will need to fall in place before the commission takes action. “It was a discussion and general overview of the land that Bob is proposing to plat out there,” said Hefta. “It is nice to access to the northeast corner of his property that’s already existing off Eickhof Boulevard. It’s a very looking development he’s proposing from what I see. We’d have to look at some utility placements through the city. Then also look at zoning requirements down the road and changing zoning along with any other infrastructure requirements that go along with this development.”
