A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 26th day of November, 2012 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Roger Thalman, 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.
Minutes: Steidl, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10/22/2012 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing: none
New Business: none
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Zoning Administrator Oleson provided an update on Jack’s Family Recycling (JFRC). He reported that he, Chairman Alstead and Clerk Raisanen had met with the township attorney to discuss the town’s options.
Oleson stated there is an existing business that has refused to respond to repeated requests to obtain an IUP.
He also stated that there is a previously approved CUP for used auto sales where the conditions may not be met in terms of maximum allowed vehicles for sale.
Chairman Hammerschmidt asked Oleson to check into the status of another used car lot on Highway 27E. It appears they may also be over their limit for housing vehicles.
Old Business: Oleson continued the discussion on the septic system ordinance. He stated that a new requirement for system designs with a holding tank will now also need an operating permit with an approved management plan. Any systems existing prior to the effective date of this ordinance that would require an operating permit any time there is a compliance inspection required, which includes property transfers and replacement or upgrading of an existing system. Operating permits would not be required until these events occurred.
Commissioner Dokken-McFann reiterated her concern for homeowners being educated on their systems and management of same. Oleson presented a guide crafted by the University of Minnesota Extension Office which details the installation process and subsequent management of individual systems. He also presented a brochure designed by the county. Oleson will contact the county to inquire about obtaining these materials from them.
After reviewing the ordinance, the commission suggested the following changes. On page 7, 2a(1), Amendments to the Adopted Standards, the following language is to be used: “To allow for land application of septage with site approval by the township zoning administrator.”
On page 12, a.(2), Local Standards for Holding Tanks, to read: “Holding tanks will be allowed without drainfields only under special circumstances, possibly only by variance” (specific language to be drafted by Oleson and brought back for review by the Commission).
On page 13, a.(12), Local Standards for Holding Tanks, the existing language is to be replaced with “Storage of septage at a centralized location is not allowed within the township.”
On page 23, I, Performance Monitoring, the Commission felt that it was appropriate for the County to track the status of operating permits within the Township since they are developing a system to do so. Oleson will work with the County to develop a workable plan.
The commission tabled further discussion until viewing a final draft at the next meeting.
The commission chose to table discussion on the preliminary draft of the sign ordinance until the next meeting.
Adjournment: Being no further business Thalman, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2012
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Lyle Hammerschmidt, Chairman