1999-07-15Board of Adjustment
July 15, 1999
The Blair Board of Adjustments was called to order at 12:00 P.M. by Chairman
Cook. Members present were Cook, Bohling, Sims, Jacobsen, Buckingham and Lock
(Alternate). Others present were City Administrator Storm, City Attorney Samson and
City Treasurer Peggy Frahm. Member Sims arrived at 12:20 P.M. The Chairman noted
that Lock would be the voting member. This was concurred with by Sims.
Motion by Bohling, second by Buckingham to approve the minutes of the May
22, 1997 meeting as presented to members. With all Members present voting Aye,
Chairman Cook declared the motion carried.
Kari Loseke and Roger Mathiesen were present representing Mathiesen Grain
Company. Loeske first explained that the company is a family owned business. Their
primary functions are storing, handling and marketing of grain. They have four (4)
reasons for requesting the variance. 1.) Due to low prices most of the grain from last year
is still in storage creating a need for more storage facilities. 2.) This year's crop is
expected to be large, increasing the need for more storage. 3) Business expansion, as the
operation is a family business with younger family members joining the company who
are looking for progress and growth. 4.) Several storage facilities in the area have already
closed, creating a shortage of storage available. Ms. Loseke then reviewed their
construction plans. She indicated they purchased the site from Don Kuhr. A driveway on
the west that is shared by the Blair Feed Mill, the railroad tracks on the south and the
driveway that they use to unload the trucks on the east are some of the reasons for
placement of the bin in this location. Also, the existing elevator already has a pit and a
leg. If they were to have to build these, the cost would be more than the bin itself. Cook
presented a letter received from Mr. Kuhr, Blair Feedmill, stating their approval of the
bin. Board Members asked the staff several questions regarding the line of site
requirement. Storm indicated the line of site could not be applied, as at least 40% of the
block would have to have structures beyond the required setback. Currently only 33% of
the block are beyond the setback. The bin will be forty-eight (48) feet in diameter,
seventy (70) feet tall and hold 90,000 bushels of grain. They have already consulted with
the Fire Marshall regarding the attachment of the bin to the existing building. His letter
stated the existing building was in good condition, and the industry standard for distance
between buildings was approximately three (3) feet. City Administrator Storm stated that
there should be ten (10) feet between structures and that the statement the Fire Marshal
made was inappropriate. Discussion was held on how large the bin could be in order to
meet the setbacks. It was stated that the bin could only be twenty-four (24) feet in
diameter. It was then asked how forty-eight (48) feet was decided upon. Ms. Loeske
stated they needed that much storage, and to build smaller was still approximately the
same price so cost efficiency was a factor. The board asked if the bin could be moved
anywhere else. Mathiesens felt no other location was feasable due to the reasons cited
previously. Additionally, Loeske stated if they blocked the east side of the existing
elevator, the trucks would have to drive in and back out which would create traffic
Board of Adjustment
July 15, 1999
The Blair Board of Adjustments was called to order at 12:00 P.M. by Chairman
Cook. Members present were Cook, Bohling, Sims, Jacobsen, Buckingham and Lock
(Alternate). Others present were City Administrator Storm, City Attorney Samson and
City Treasurer Peggy Frahm. Member Sims arrived at 12:20 P.M. The Chairman noted
that Lock would be the voting member. This was concurred with by Sims.
Motion by Bohling, second by Buckingham to approve the minutes of the May
22, 1997 meeting as presented to members. With all Members present voting Aye,
Chairman Cook declared the motion carried.
Kari Loseke and Roger Mathiesen were present representing Mathiesen Grain
Company. Loeske first explained that the company is a family owned business. Their
primary functions are storing, handling and marketing of grain. They have four (4)
reasons for requesting the variance. 1.) Due to low prices most of the grain from last year
is still in storage creating a need for more storage facilities. 2.) This year's crop is
expected to be large, increasing the need for more storage. 3) Business expansion, as the
operation is a family business with younger family members joining the company who
are looking for progress and growth. 4.) Several storage facilities in the area have already
closed, creating a shortage of storage available. Ms. Loseke then reviewed their
construction plans. She indicated they purchased the site from Don Kuhr. A driveway on
the west that is shared by the Blair Feed Mill, the railroad tracks on the south and the
driveway that they use to unload the trucks on the east are some of the reasons for
placement of the bin in this location. Also, the existing elevator already has a pit and a
leg. If they were to have to build these, the cost would be more than the bin itself. Cook
presented a letter received from Mr. Kuhr, Blair Feedmill, stating their approval of the
bin. Board Members asked the staff several questions regarding the line of site
requirement. Storm indicated the line of site could not be applied, as at least 40% of the
block would have to have structures beyond the required setback. Currently only 33% of
the block are beyond the setback. The bin will be forty-eight (48) feet in diameter,
seventy (70) feet tall and hold 90,000 bushels of grain. They have already consulted with
the Fire Marshall regarding the attachment of the bin to the existing building. His letter
stated the existing building was in good condition, and the industry standard for distance
between buildings was approximately three (3) feet. City Administrator Storm stated that
there should be ten (10) feet between structures and that the statement the Fire Marshal
made was inappropriate. Discussion was held on how large the bin could be in order to
meet the setbacks. It was stated that the bin could only be twenty-four (24) feet in
diameter. It was then asked how forty-eight (48) feet was decided upon. Ms. Loeske
stated they needed that much storage, and to build smaller was still approximately the
same price so cost efficiency was a factor. The board asked if the bin could be moved
anywhere else. Mathiesens felt no other location was feasable due to the reasons cited
previously. Additionally, Loeske stated if they blocked the east side of the existing
elevator, the trucks would have to drive in and back out which would create traffic