A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 27th day of September, 2010 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were John Knowles, Julie Haar, Russ Niskanen, Larry Steidl and Lyle Hammerschmidt. Also present was 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 Knowles at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Steidl, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of annexation planning committee under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Hammerschmidt, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 8/23/10 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: Annexation Planning Committee. Town Board Supervisors Louis Ross and Joel Dahlheimer were present to discuss the formation of an annexation planning committee which would include two town board supervisors, two planning commission members, the town zoning administrator and the town clerk. The purpose of this committee is to review the annexation agreement and discuss the final annexation phase which would begin January 2012. Chairman Knowles appointed Commissioners Hammerschmidt and Niskanen to this committee.
Old Business: Home occupations/businesses in non-commercial/industrial zoning districts. The commission reviewed the final draft language for amending the zoning ordinance (Section V – Performance Standards). Discussion ensued regarding the signage to be allowed under the Moderate Visibility section. Motion by Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, to recommend approval of the draft language, with no changes. Roll: Niskanen and Steidl – yes. Hammerschmidt, Haar, Knowles – no. Motion failed.
Motion by Hammerschmidt, seconded by Haar, to recommend approval of the draft language with the following change: striking the word “free-standing” under the Signage portion of Moderate Visibility (MVHO) under Item no. 2. Performance Standards, (12)(b). Roll: Niskanen and Steidl – no. Hammerschmidt, Haar, Knowles – yes. Motion carried.
The commission also discussed revising the July 2010 staff report to reflect the classification change for High Visibility (HVHO) in the Urban Residential district to a permitted use (Interim Use).
The commission directed Zoning Administrator Oleson to incorporate the change into the draft language and schedule a public hearing for October.
Douglas County Comprehensive Plan Update. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that there have been no new drafts of other sections. January will mark the suggested 5-year review timeframe for the town’s comprehensive plan. The commission felt it prudent to have the Transportation and the Parks/Rec committees meet and present their findings to the planning commission prior to January 2011. The commission directed Oleson to contact the chairs of these committees.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that he had contacted the Pollution Control Agency as requested by the Planning Commission concerning the property containing junk vehicles on East Lake Jessie Road. Oleson is awaiting follow-up by the MPCA.
Adjournment: Being no further business Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2010
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John B. Knowles, Chairman