Clearwater planning board to recommend zoning change

A proposed storage unit on the west edge of Clearwater is one step closer to reality after Clearwater's planning and zoning board voted to recommend changing current zoningdesignation for three lots owned by Deborah and Dwaine Trease, of Clearwater.

Zoning board members also approved a recommendation for a building permit for the Treases, which included four conditions.

Both recommendations will be the focus of a public hearing, Monday, when village trustees meet at 8 p.m. and have the final say.

The Treases purchased the property from Clearwater Public School in June 2021. The property originally was zoned as a residential district. In order for the storage facility to be constructed, zoning regulations would need to be changed, placing the lots in a mixed-use development district.

During Monday's zoning hearing, board members Dick Kester, Sandy Kester, Jesse McKillip, Caleb Pelster and Bill Thiele learned the Treases intend to construct a 10-unit storage property, with plans to expand in the future.

According to Dwaine Trease, the couple was "told right off the bat they didn't want us putting a house out there because the city would have to put a lift station in for the sewer."

"It was pretty much known to a lot of people what our plan was, to put a storage unit out there," he added.

The building has been ordered and concrete work was completed last week.

The problem: a building permit had not been secured.

"We did put the application in for a building permit and were totally unaware we had to do an application to get it rezoned. I talked to city officials several times through the last year and they said this needs to get rezoned from residential to commercial."

According to Trease, he figured village officials would initiate the rezoning process.

"I figured they would get it done. The fact that I needed to do any paperwork to get it rezoned, I was totally unaware of," he said.

Deb Trease said nothing was mentioned about applying for a zoning change when they did apply for a building permit at the village clerk's office.

"I thought that would have been the time someone would have told us, because we wanted to do it right. Maybe we didn't do it right. We can work through it," she said.

Dick Kester asked about the size of the building.

Trease said it will be a 50-foot by 60-foot red and white structure. Each unit will measure 12 feet by 25 feet, with an 8 foot by 10 foot door. Security lights will be installed.

"If internet or cable was available, I would get security cameras," Trease said.

Pelster asked why the request is for a five-year period.

Village Clerk Angie Hupp said under mixed-use development, storage units can be constructed as a conditional use.

"It means the conditional use permit is good for five years so they can build those on, without coming back to get another one (permit)," Hupp said.

Clearwater residents Shirley Clinton and Nick and Brittney Hoffman, who live in the 600 block of Iowa Street, to the east of the proposed structure, spoke in opposition to the rezoning application.

Clinton said she was "surprised and shocked rezoning would be considered."

Nick Hoffman outlined several concerns regarding the reclassification.

"It was our impression, upon moving to Clearwater, we would be moving into a residential neighborhood. We're now concerned how the value of our property would be affected," Nick Hoffman said.

Privacy concerns were also addressed. According to Hoffman, on July 29, at approximately 7 a.m., members of the construction crew, working on the concrete foundation, were parked on the Hoffman's property.

"We are concerned a storage unit on the edge of town may increase the likelihood of crime in the area," he said.

Drainage on the property is another point of contention for landowners situated next to the proposed construction site.

The Hoffman property has a basement. Clinton said in the past, water has drained onto her property from the hay meadow, located west of the site.

"Which direction is water going to run?" Clinton asked.

Hoffman asked if a property survey will be conducted, privacy fence erected and downward lighting installed on the proposed unit.

He also questioned what type of items will be stored at the facility.

The Treases said the property stakes are still there "from the property sale," although Clinton noted the lines are not identifiable.

"They're crooked," she said.

Dick Kester asked about drainage.

"Can it be ditched to the west or the south so it won't go through their properties?" He asked.

Dwaine Trease said water will have to go south, since it comes in from the west.

"I would think now since we've raised that property up, it would deter anything coming in from the west," Trease said. "The building will have gutters on it, directing it where it can go."

Jeff Schlecht, who lives on the south side of Nebraska Street, across from the property, said in high-water years, water has come through the playground, across the road and into the ditch.

"Building that up, I have no clue what it's going to do," Schlecht said.

After listening to audience members, the zoning board went into executive session. After exiting the closed session, the board also approved the building permit with four conditions.

A six-foot privacy fence will be installed on the property line and needs to be implemented and built prior to the start of construction.

Lighting installed on the structure will need to be down lighting, so it does not shine on neighbor's property.

A drainage survey will need to be conducted. The survey will be at the Treases' expense.

A surveryor will be hired to locate the exact property lines. The cost will be shared between all property owners involved.

The Treases questioned why a survey would need to be conducted since one was completed a year ago when the property sold.

Thiele said, "In this instance, because of the objections and comparatively small cost, to avoid any bickering in the future, everyone knows where the fence belongs, that's why we recommend it. That's also why we recommend the fence be built before construction."