A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 23rd day of August, 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: Haar, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of junk cars update under Old Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Steidl, seconded by Haar, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 07/20/10 site visit as written. Motion carried unanimously. Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 07/26/10 commission meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing: Preliminary Plat of East Gate, First Supplemental CIC plat. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that this preliminary plat/conditional use permit application is a re-submittal of a previously approved application. The owner, Dennis Conn, re-filed since he did not meet the required timeline for completion of the final plat in his previous application.
Mr. Conn is requesting permission to allow expansion of a previously approved non-residential planned unit development (PUD) on this commercially-zoned property. Mr. Conn plans to complete the remaining three units in the existing building and proposes another 11 units in an additional building to be constructed at a later date.
Commissioner Niskanen asked if an owner’s association exists and, if so, would it be their responsibility to maintain the grounds. The applicant said yes. He also asked if limits would be imposed on this application. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated there would be a limitation of one year. Commissioner Hammerschmidt asked if there are covenants in place. Rod Eldevik, of Eldevik Land Surveying, stated that covenants are a legal requirement for CIC plats.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to recommend approval of the East Gate preliminary plat and conditional use permit with the conditions outlined in the staff report. Roll: Haar, Hammerschmidt, Steidl, Niskanen, Knowles – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: Douglas County Comprehensive Plan. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that he has been reviewing three sections of county updates. The commission directed Oleson to begin comparisons of the Infrastructure/Public Services and Parks/Recreation portions of the county and township plans.
Old Business: Home occupations/businesses in non-commercial/industrial zoning districts. The commission continued discussion on the three categories of businesses; i.e. Low, Moderate and High Visibility. They directed Oleson to compile a final draft for their review.
Junk cars on East Lake Jessie Road. The commission discussed potential environmental concerns regarding junk cars on a property located on E. Lake Jessie Road. They directed Zoning Administrator Oleson to contact the DNR.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: No concerns.
Adjournment: Being no further business Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 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