Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 5-19-08
A meeting of the Board of Adjustment of Alexandria Township was held on the 19th Day of May 2008 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Members present were Bryon Alstead, Joel Dahlheimer, Jim Casper and Roger Thalman. Also present were Deputy Clerk Bonnie Fulghum and Zoning Administrator Ben Oleson.
Chairman Thalman recessed the meeting at 6:30 p.m. to open the public hearing on the variances for Wayne Virkus and Midwest Machinery Co.
Mr. Wayne Virkus is applying for a variance to construct a 6’x6’ addition to an existing utility shed to enclose a new well line. The main issue is that the original well went bad and a new well needed to be dug. Since there is no basement, the water line needed to be brought up outside of the home, where it is subject to freezing. The proposed structure would prevent freezing of the water line.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that he could not find permits for the deck or shed currently located on the property. He said that the county records do not show the existence of the shed; however, it purportedly has been existing since before 1992.
The board discussed the two conditions recommended by staff. Chairman Thalman asked the applicant if he agreed with the conditions. Mr. Virkus took issue with condition no. 2 which required a separate variance application to allow for the continuation of the existing open deck on the northwest side of the cabin and the stairway on the southwest side of the cabin as well as a survey. Mr. Virkus stated that the lot was surveyed last year; however, he questioned the reliability of the survey due to the construction on Hwy 81 and the fact that property/right-of-way boundaries are yet to be established. He also contends that he bought the property two years ago in good faith. He had no knowledge that permits had not been properly applied for.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to recommend approval of the variance including condition no. 1 of the staff report, omitting condition no. 2. Roll: Dahlheimer – yes, Alstead – yes, Casper – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Midwest Machinery Co. was applying for a variance to install a 30-foot O.A.H. pole sign, replacing the current sign. The new sign does not meet right-of-way setbacks, setback restrictions between signs on the same side of the road or height restrictions. The applicant is proposing the sign be placed ten (10) feet from the right-of-way and the proposed height for the bottom of the sign is roughly 18 feet. The zoning administrator said that the variance is actually in three parts: setback between signs; height restrictions; and right-of-way setbacks. His recommendation is to approve the right-of-way setbacks and the setbacks between signs, but to deny the height restriction.
Midwest Machinery’s representative, Jeremy, said he would like to propose another option wherein his company would utilize a 25-foot sign which would be 12’ 10-5/8 in. from the ground. He would also be willing to remove the Arctic Cat sign.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the variance with the conditions as outlined in the staff report, said conditions to allow the installation of a 25-foot sign which would be at a maximum of 12’ 10-5/8” from the ground and to require removal of the Arctic Cat sign. Roll: Dahlheimer – yes, Alstead – yes, Casper – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted….. Approved this _____ day of________, 2008
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk Roger Thalman, Chairman