June 26, 2017 minutes

ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of June 26, 2017

A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 26th day of June, 2017 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.

Roll Call: Commission members present were Shad Steinbrecher, Larry Steidl and Mary Hacker. Also present were Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk, and Ben Oleson, Township Zoning Administrator. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Steidl at 6:00 p.m.

Agenda: Hacker, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Minutes: Steinbrecher, seconded by Hacker, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 5/22/2017 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Section V.A. (Signs).

Public Hearing: A public hearing was held on the zoning ordinance amendment to Section V.A. (Signs) to allow electronic changeable copy signs in the rural commercial, urban commercial and light industrial zoning districts as a conditional use.

Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that a request had been made by Bob Wolfe of Indigo Signs on behalf of his client, Rainbow Rider, to change the township’s ordinance to allow these types of signs in the township, particularly in the commercial/industrial areas. Currently no electronic signs (electronic changeable copy) are allowed anywhere in the township.

Mr. Wolfe questioned the requirement of a conditional use, stating the fee could potentially invoke a hardship for businesses. He said Rainbow Rider is planning to purchase a digital sign via a MnDOT grant. The CUP fee would constitute a hardship for that company.

Chairman Steidl asked about the lighting aspect. Mr. Wolfe responded that the sign is illuminated; however, at night it dims to 50 percent with an auto-dimming feature. Steidl asked if there would be any flashing mechanism. Mr. Wolfe replied that the sign software will allow this feature to be opted out.

Commissioner Hacker asked Mr. Wolfe to explain the difference between “scrolling” and “changing of the picture”. Mr. Wolfe stated the Rainbow Rider sign would encompass “changing of the picture”, and the default is five seconds.

Hacker also asked about the illumination effect on neighboring properties.

Commissioner Steinbrecher asked how the sign would be affxed to the pole and load-bearing on the slab with the extra signage.

Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and resumed the meeting.

Hacker, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to adopt the Douglas County sign ordinance with changes as necessary, limited to the Commercial and Industrial zoning districts. Roll: Hacker – yes, Steinbrecher – yes, Steidl – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.

Zoning Administrator’s Report: none

New Business: The commission decided their prior discussion regarding mini-storage zoning was complete.

The commission tabled further discussion on the Douglas County ordinance amendment(s).

Old Business: none

Adjournment: Being no further business Hacker, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted…

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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2017

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Larry Steidl, Chairman