by Dave DeMars
news@thenewsleaders.com
The May 8 St. Joseph Planning Commission meeting had only one item on its docket to consider – a request by Common Ground Garden to approve the construction of a high-tunnel greenhouse; the commission approved.
Common Ground Garden has sponsored a community garden in St. Joseph in partnership with the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict and as part of the Community Supported Agriculture program, which is an educational event to foster gardening activity.
CGG proposed locating the greenhouse on property owned by the Order of St. Benedict and located south of Minnesota Street W. near the St. Joseph Apartments. The greenhouse would be about 12-feet high and occupy 2,160 square feet of ground. The greenhouse would not be used for events or sales so no additional parking would be required, nor would it add additional traffic beyond the norm.
After brief consideration, the request was approved.
The commission also heard from updates on the St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan from Therese Haffner and from Troy Goracke on recent actions taken by the city council.