Beachside RV Park owner given time to apply for new conditional use permit

By Kris Goracke

Reporter

The Starbuck City Council held two public hearings during its meeting on Monday, November 13. The first hearing, addressing a subdivision request for parcel 27-0625-001, a vacant lot, concluded without any questions or comments. 

The second public hearing centered around the noncompliance of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) granted to Beachside RV Park. On July 18, 2017, the Planning and Zoning Committee granted a CUP for the park’s operation as a business, contingent upon constructing a privacy fence. However, the Bluhms, owners of the RV park, have not fulfilled this condition in the six years since. According to the Planning and Zoning Committee, they notified the Bluhms multiple times. In addition, a letter sent on August 31, 2023, requesting compliance received no response. Consequently, the city initiated the process of potential CUP revocation.

In response, Derek and Amanda Bluhm claimed they had not received any of the three documented letters about the matter. However, city records indicated that the post office did not return the three letters sent to the Bluhms. According to the United States Post Office webpage, if the post office is unable to deliver the mail as addressed, the post office will use the return address on the mail piece and return to the sender.

Derek argued against the necessity of the public hearing, stating that the issue had already been resolved with their neighbors. He presented a letter to the council stating the neighbor’s agreement with Derek’s proposal. The letter was signed by only one (Myron Bluhm) of the two residential neighbors impacted by the CUP.  The second residential homeowner did not sign the agreement.

“I believe this public hearing is unnecessary due to never receiving information through letters and never having been invited to attend any meeting regarding them. At this point, Beachside RV Park’s privacy fence issue is a non-issue. The request to have this unnecessary public hearing dropped due to us owners never being professionally approached over this, and this “issue” is satisfied with our neighbors,” stated the letter presented.

Derek began his presentation with a brief campground history. Afterward, he discussed each neighboring property mentioned in the CUP that requires the construction of a privacy fence. Derek first discussed the CSNelson Properties, focusing on the recent addition of a fence that owner Cody Nelson built between the two properties.

Derek also covered additional properties mentioned in the CUP, including the “Red House,” “Green House,” bus garage, and two other residential properties situated north of the campground. During the initial issuance of the CUP, the Bluhms did not own the “Red House.”  However, they have since purchased it, and expressed a preference for not having a fence between the “Red House” and the campground.  Derek then addressed the “Green House,” which belongs to his father, Myron.  Derek stated, “We do not want this house to be isolated from the campground.  It is part of the park and serves as shelter for the campers during bad weather.”

He then discussed the remaining three properties impacted by the CUP. The last of the three is Derek and Amanda’s home. “Having a fence behind our house will be inconvenient as we are always over at the park,” he stated. Concerning the other two properties, Derek claims a fence behind the residential home “will destroy the owner’s shed.” At this point, Starbuck Mayor Gary Swenson posed the question that even if all current property owners are satisfied with no fence, “What would happen if those houses were sold? The new owners may not be okay with no fence.” Derek replied that the Bluhms had no intention of selling and “plan to stay there until they die.”

Swenson raised another issue related to the potential destruction of a shed caused by a privacy fence.  He explained, “Typically, the building on the property is situated 6 to 10 feet away from the property line.  When you factor in an additional two feet for the fence from the property line, that creates a substantial amount of space.  I am uncertain about the basis for assuming the shed would be destroyed.”

After listening to Derek for a while, council member Steve Gorder asked, “What is your proposal…what are your intentions?”

“I would like to see the CUP amended. I would like to see a fence not required by the “Red House” or my dad’s house (Green House). I am happy to put up a 4′ chain-link fence behind the bus garage. I will work with the one residential home on my own, and then no fence behind our home,” said Derek.  

Gorder motioned to delay the decision revoking the CUP and allow Derek time to apply for a new CUP. This process entails getting an application, having the planning and zoning committee review the plan, and making a recommendation to the council. Based on the recommendation, the council will discuss the CUP and either deny it or set a public hearing.  

As Derek concluded his remarks at the podium, Tom Beuckens, a representative from the Starbuck Airport, asked him about his plans to reinstall the fence that Derek had taken down a few years ago to improve access to some work on his property. Derek responded, “I initially believed the city had the budget for the reinstallation. However, I have since learned that this is not the case. I have scheduled a handyman to address the issue by the end of the week.”

There was no discussion during the meeting about the $20,000 owed by the Bluhms to the city for their share of the multi-use path in front of their properties. During the October council work session, council member Dane Christensen raised concerns about Bluhm’s outstanding bill of $20,000 for the multi-use trail. In the summer of 2021, the trail was completed, and the Bluhms had committed to contributing $30,000 as part of the $86,000 trail cost. Presently, RV Beachside and Myron Bluhm have paid $10,000, resulting in a remaining balance of $20,000 owed to the city.

The public hearing closed at 7:03, and the November council meeting continued.

Early Child Care

Tammy Anderson, the Early Care Foundation project manager of Pope County, addressed the council. She explained, “We are a grant-funded organization dedicated to fostering the growth and retention of early care services in Pope County. The Early Care Foundation of Pope County was created in 2023 by community leaders who aim to develop sustainable childcare solutions throughout Pope County.”

She expressed her passion for the area; Anderson added, “I love this area and hope we can gain support from the cities in Pope County regarding financial contributions and a willingness to participate on committees. We are currently collaborating with Minnewaska Area Schools, and we believe this partnership will contribute to creating a long-term childcare solution in the area.”

Garbage pickup

The agenda then moved to discussing modifications to the garbage pick-up process. Taylor Williamson of West Central Sanitation was present to address any concerns related to the proposed changes to the contract. Earlier this fall, the city received an email from West Central Sanitation, initiating a conversation about alley services. 

The email highlighted that the trucks used for garbage collection are taller and heavier, posing concerns about their ability to access garbage receptacles in the alleys. Additionally, the email stressed the importance of improving efficiency in trash collection from the streets to reduce the number of times the trucks circled the block.  

“When West Central Sanitation took over Mattheisen’s contract, your company made a statement that there would be no changes; this, to me, is a change,” said Gorder. “It certainly is a change, but this is a partnership, and we would like to work out a solution that works for all,” said Williamson.

City employee Randy Peterson spoke of the snow removal challenges in the alleys, mentioning instances when a garbage truck had needed pulling out because it got stuck. Additionally, Peterson noted that the height of the trucks poses issues with cable TV wires, making it difficult for the trucks to pass.

After much discussion, the council and West Central Sanitation reached a compromise. Alley service will be retained, but with a modification. There will now be only one pass through the alleys. This means residents must have all receptacles on one side of the alley. Residents will receive a notification of this change, and the tentative date for the implementation is Thursday, December 21, 2023.

Hanger space at airport

Next on the agenda was Tom Beuckens.  He thanked the city for all the help during Starbuck  Chamber functions, including Starbuck Heritage Days. “We appreciate all the volunteers and city workers for their hard work in keeping Starbuck looking nice. A big thanks to Mike Erickson and his summer crew for maintaining all the grounds in the city,” said Beuckens.  

Beuckens then presented a report on behalf of the Starbuck Airport Committee regarding a need for hanger space. “MnDOT does not have a good funding source for this type of project,” he reported, “however, many airports are beginning to lease property and let pilots build their own hangers.” The council considered this idea and advised Beuckens to explore it further by establishing an airport commission.

October police report

In the October Starbuck City Police report, Chief Mitch Johnsrud stated there were 169 calls for service. He also provided an update on the department’s new squad car, which had been ordered in the fall of 2022. Johnsrud stated, “We will not be getting a 2023 squad, but Ford has guaranteed any agency who ordered a squad in 2022 will receive a 2024 squad car for the same price.” 

Water and Sewer Supervisor Randy Peterson provided a report to update the council on the new roof project for the wastewater building. The bid for the project was awarded to Kirkwold Construction for $88,000. The roof sustained damage during the storm in 2022, and the city’s expense for the project is limited to the $500 insurance deductible. The completion of the roof is anticipated by mid-December.

Fire officer pay increase

The Starbuck Fire Chief Doug Noyes addressed the council, requesting a pay increase for the fire department officers. Council member Gorder expressed, “I believe you all deserve this increase. I know firsthand all the work that goes into these positions, and we appreciate all your time.” Council member Chris Taffe agreed, leading the council to approve the following pay increases, effective January 1, 2024: Fire Chief – $2800, Assistant Chief – 1200, and Safety Officer – $600.

In addition, the council approved the purchase of a 3,000-gallon tanker for the fire department. The tanker, financed through Community Leasing Partners, amounts to $288,000. The Starbuck Fire Department Relief organization has committed $35,000 toward the purchase. 

In other business:

•Approved inter-fund transfers for 2023 Hobo Park Expenses

•Approved Truth in Taxation public hearing for the December 11, 2023 council meeting

•Discussed Blight abatement at PID #27-0282-000 located on Wollan Street. The council voted to enforce the three-time blight ordinance.

The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2023.