Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of March 5, 2018
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 5th day of March, 2018 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Linda Dokken-McFann and Jerry Wright. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of vacation rentals under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Dokken-McFann, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 2/21/18 regular board meeting and the 2/21/18 Board of Adjustment minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 18047-18054 in the amount of $39,862.27, net payroll $3,053.22 totaling $42,915.49 and a transfer of funds from savings of $40,000.00.. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Chair Eldevik reported that Robert Bugher’s variance request had been tabled at the previous meeting. Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to bring back the variance request for discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Eldevik stated that there were two parts to the variance: 1) to allow a 5-unit PUD on less than the minimum requirement of 2.5 acres; and 2) to allow less than 50% open space as required by ordinance. He reported that the township had received several letters of support. No negative comments have been received. Oberg commented that the proposed development would not degrade the neighborhood and would prove beneficial for both the township and the community. He asked if the properties had been assessed for sanitary sewer. The applicant stated that the sewer stubs were placed for each lot when the area was initially sewered and that no additional assessments are required. Brad Nyberg of Nyberg Surveying stated that each unit will have its own individual line. The homeowners will have to pay to hook up to the sewer line.
Oberg, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the first portion of the variance to permit a PUD on a property less than the minimum 2.5 acres based upon the findings of fact and staff recommendations listed in the staff report under option 2-A. The style and layout of the homes is consistent with the character of the other homes in the subdivision and the property is unique, because the proposed PUD effectively serves as an extension of the original “Lakecrest Townhomes” development which would mean that, in effect, the minimum lot size requirement has been met and is located in a non-shoreline area. Roll: Wright – yes, Oberg – yes, Dahlheimer – no, Dokken-McFann – yes, Eldevik – no. Motion carried.
Eldevik reported the second portion of the variance request is to allow less than 50% open space as required by ordinance. Mr. Nyberg stated that if calculations were based upon the county’s ordinance, the PUD’s calculations would be at 59%, as opposed to 29% under the township’s ordinance. Eldevik, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the variance to permit a PUD with less than the 50% open space requirement under the township ordinance. Roll: Wright – yes, Oberg – yes, Dokken-McFann – yes, Dahlheimer – yes, Eldevik – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the planning commission had received a conditional use request from Larry Lehn for used car sales as part of a custom upholstery business in a Commercial-Urban district. The location is at 4311 County Road 82 SE. Oberg said he was concerned about granting a CUP due to the potential ramifications for future use of the property. He asked if the board would consider an IUP versus a CUP, since an IUP would give a definitive timeline and would expire in five years unless the current lease holders chose to renew. Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve an interim use permit for five years for used car sales as part of a custom upholstery business and to include the three conditions listed in the staff report: 1) that the cars displayed for sale must be completely located outside of the public road right-of-way; 2) that the number of cars displayed for sale on the property be limited to three in the south 100 feet of the lot; and 3) that a maximum of five vehicles/boats from customers of the upholstery business are allowed in the north portion of the lot.. Roll: Dokken-McFann – yes, Wright – yes, Oberg – yes, Dahlheimer – yes, Eldevik – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the recorded drainage easement in Victoria Estates is not in the location where drainage is occurring and needs to be corrected. Oleson is working with the landowner and is in the process of re-drafting the drainage easement.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: none
OLD BUSINESS: Township Attorney Paul Johnson introduced his associate, Marc Sugden, and suggested the town consider transferring primary responsibility of township matters to Mr. Sugden. Mr. Sugden will forward letters of reference from other municipalities to Clerk Raisanen.
Attorney Johnson reported that letters have been sent to landowners in violation of the township’s nuisance ordinance.
Attorney Johnson provided an update on the Zunker settlement agreement. The agreement has been sent.
The board discussed the upcoming auction of the JFRC property.
NEW BUSINESS: Oberg provided an update regarding LAR. LAR is in conversation in regard to a proposed new wellness facility being considered on the old Jefferson High School property.
Oberg and Dokken-McFann provided a summary of the Douglas County public hearing on vacation rentals. The county is considering licensing short term rentals through the Department of Health.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2018
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman