Otsego council approves Jacob’s Plat expansion with outdoor storage permit after screening, night-hours conditions

The Otsego City Council on May 26 adopted Resolution 2026-42 approving a preliminary plat for Jacob’s Plat Second Edition and an interim use permit to allow outdoor storage on part of the Blue Dot warehouse site, subject to amended conditions requiring combined berm, fence and landscaping screening to a minimum effective height of 14 feet and other performance standards.

The council’s decision followed a lengthy public hearing and a detailed technical presentation from city planning staff and the applicant. City Planner Dan explained that the application would enlarge Lot 1 and permit up to 26% of the lot as outdoor storage under an interim use permit, and that staff and the planning commission recommended conditions to mitigate impacts on nearby residential properties.

Applicant representative Evan Matson said the tenant would stack materials up to 12 feet and has confirmed that “they will be utilizing non‑audible backup noises,” arguing that the proposed combination of berm, composite fence and new tree plantings would provide effective screening. “We’re set back 353 feet which is 11 times greater than the code requirement,” Matson said, noting the setback from the nearest southern properties.

Neighbors and council members pressed the applicant on near‑term noise and visual impacts. Resident Nathan Anderson and others said 24‑hour truck movements and backup alerts at neighboring trucking operations have already disturbed evenings, and asked that outdoor yard activity be limited during overnight hours. Council members debated whether to allow trucks and inside warehouse operations to continue while prohibiting outdoor stacking and handling between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Planner Dan and the applicant presented design sections showing how the berm and fence combine to achieve an effective screening height (for example, a 7‑foot berm plus a 6‑foot fence yields about 13 feet; other sections reach 16 feet where topography allows). Staff noted wetlands and slope constraints that limit extending berms in some locations; the council and applicant agreed to language tying the 14‑foot effective height to the site plan and to make the permit terminable for violations.

Council Member Ryan moved the resolution adopting the plat and interim use permit as amended; the motion passed by voice vote. The conditions approved require: (1) the outdoor storage yard be screened via a combination of berm, fence and landscaping to an effective minimum height of 14 feet as shown on the site plan; (2) outdoor storage limited to a maximum stacking height of 12 feet; and (3) the city may terminate the interim use permit if the applicant violates permit conditions or if the city changes zoning to prohibit outdoor storage.

The council also discussed monitoring options and a path for the tenant to request future amendments if they can document limited, infrequent overnight deliveries. The council concluded the item by instructing staff to finalize permit language so it reflects the combination‑screening approach and the clarified hours/complaint process.

The council’s action resolves the immediate land‑use application; enforcement and any later amendments will depend on operational experience and any future complaints from nearby residents.