A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 25th day of March, 2013 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Julie Haar, Billie Dropik, Larry Steidl, Linda Dokken-McFann and Lyle Hammerschmidt. 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 Hammerschmidt at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Steidl, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
The members welcomed Billie Dropik to the commission.
Minutes: Haar, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 2/15/2013 meeting as written. Motion carried. Commissioner Dropik abstained.
Public Hearing: none
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the town board is l waiting for a response from Jack’s Family Recycling Center owner, Kathy Hodges, regarding the screening issue.
New Business: Oleson provided a list of potential ordinance updates. The suggested update and commission action are as follows: 1) Amending the criteria required to obtain a variance. The commission chose to delay action until the county has completed changes to their ordinance. 2) Possible creation of an ordinance regulating “vacation rentals” of single-family homes. Oleson to provide language clarifying the distinction between week-to-week rentals as opposed to seasonal. 3) Concerns relating to the recent changes to the small animal ordinance. The commission requested Oleson to group animals into three categories; i.e. fowl, reptiles, other small animals. They also discussed changing the acreage requirement. 4) Cost of obtaining an interim use permit fee. Proposed no change. 5) Home occupation and interim use ordinances. Ongoing discussion regarding the classification of use(s); i.e. whether to deem as interim or conditional. 6) Detached accessory buildings on lots smaller than five acres. The commission chose to evaluate on a case-by-case basis. 7) Regulation of solar panels. The commission instructed Oleson to research. 8) Spread of invasive species in area lakes. Recommendation to add a link to the town’s website for further information, such as to the DNR, Douglas County Lakes Assoc., etc.
Old Business: Sign ordinance update. Oleson distributed a draft of the sign ordinance for
discussion at the next meeting. Oleson will forward proposed changes to the county.
The training on comprehensive plans was tabled.
Chairman Hammerschmidt submitted his resignation due to his recent election to the town board. His resignation will be forwarded to the town board for their consideration .
Adjournment: Being no further business Haar, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2013
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Lyle Hammerschmidt, Chairman