Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of January 20, 2010
A meeting of the Board of Adjustment of Alexandria Township was held on the 20th day of January 2010 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Joel Dahlheimer, Louis Ross, and Roger Thalman. 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 Thalman at 6:30 p.m.
Chairman Thalman opened the public hearing at 6:32 PM.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that an application of variance has been submitted by Colleen Ellerbroek, 311 Erickson Heritage NE, Legal Description Lot 5, Block 3, Sec. 15, T 128N, R37 of Erickson Heritage 1st Addition. The variance is to allow a two-family dwelling on a lot that is 120 feet in width. The zoning ordinance requires a minimum lot width of 125 feet for two-family dwellings. He indicated in the staff report that the board of adjustment could grant a variance if a hardship was presented which would prevent the landowner from reasonable use of her property. The staff recommended to not grant the variance since the homeowner has reasonable use of the property and could acquire 5 additional feet from a neighbor which let would not require a variance.
Ms. Ellerbroek indicated that she has greatly improved the property by her recent addition and is interested in generating some income to allow her to remain at the property. She indicated that she plans on living at the property and is not opposed to requiring that if the variance is granted that owner occupation is a condition of the variance. Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that legal council recommendation that the township would change their ordinance to require this condition instead of a case by case basis.
Larry Poppenfus, representing neighbors from this area, presented a letter signed by 9 property owners, requesting that the board of supervisors deny the variance. He indicated that they have concern about the effect of a two-family dwelling in their neighborhood on property values. Pat Bruggerman expressed concern about the lack of control over the rental and the potential impact on the neighborhood.
Another resident expressed concern about additional development of two-family dwellings in the neighborhood should the board approved this variance.
The public hearing was closed at 6:45PM.
The board reviewed the staff recommendations. Half of the lots in this subdivision met the required 125 ft. width, however, a conditional use permit would be required prior to allowing a two-family dwelling on the.
Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to deny the variance application submitted by Colleen Ellerbroek to allow a two-family dwelling at 311 Erickson Heritage, NE. For: Ross, Alstead, Dahlheimer, Thalman. Against: None. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2010
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Roger Thalman, Chairman