A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 28th day of December, 2009 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were John Knowles, Julie Feuling, 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 Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10/26/09 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing: The first application was a conditional use permit submitted by Colleen Ellerbroek. The applicant is seeking to convert a single family dwelling into a multi-family dwelling.
Zoning Administrator Oleson explained that adding a second kitchen to an existing dwelling determines whether it is an actual 2-dwelling rental. Since Ms. Ellerbroek is intending to include a kitchen in the lower level, it would constitute an additional dwelling, resulting in 2 units. Ms. Ellerbroek stated that her objective is to have a legal rental, looks attractive and will be saleable in the future.
Oleson said that Staff recommended approval with two conditions. First, the landowner would need to provide a minimum of four off-street parking spaces. The applicant has indicated that this requirement would be met. She is having a 3-stall garage built and one of those stalls would be dedicated to the rental unit. Secondly, the applicant would need to apply for a variance from the town Board of Adjustment. The Zoning Ordinance stipulates that the lot on which a 2-family dwelling is proposed requires a width of at least 125 feet. Ms. Ellerbroek’s lot is 120 feet in width, five feet short of the ordinance requirement.
Chairman Knowles opened the meeting for public comment. Hearing none, he closed the public comment portion and brought the issue back to the commission.
Motion by Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, to recommend to the town board that the Ellerbroek conditional use application be approved with the two staff recommendations outlined in the staff report. Roll: Hammerschmidt – no, Feuling – yes, Niskanen – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes. Motion carried.
The second application was a conditional use permit submitted by Donnie Froemming, proprietor of Dun Rite Auto Body. The applicant is seeking to increase the number of display vehicles from 10 to 40, and to replace a row of trees with a fence for screening purposes.
With regard to parking for display, Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that there would be cars parked in the public right-of-way. In consulting the town clerk, the clerk had commented that Weston Station has also used the right-of-way for parking for a number of years.
Commissioner Feuling asked for clarification of where the total square footage lies. She was amenable to the screening and parking plans.
Commissioner Niskanen asked about the retention plan for salvage vehicles. The applicant stated he planned on a maximum of six months.
Chairman Knowles opened the meeting to the public for comment.
Raymond Anderson, 1832 County Road 44, stated that he owns property to the south. He is not opposed to the business, but rather the location of the vehicles. He also stated that he opposes the removal of the trees.
Chairman Knowles closed the public comment portion and brought the meeting back to the commission for discussion.
Commissioner Niskanen asked if the language in condition number three was strong enough to ensure this did not become a salvage yard. Oleson said that salvage yards are not allowed in this district.
Commissioner Feuling asked about adding a timeline and the number of vehicles for the back lot to condition number five.
Motion by Feuling, seconded by Niskanen, to recommend to the town board approval of the Froemming conditional use application to include all conditions outlined in the staff report, amending no. 5 to read, “that the fence proposed by the applicant be installed by June 1, 2010 and that the fence shall be at least eight (8) feet in height”, and to add another condition to read, “the number of parts vehicles be limited to fifteen (15) at any given time.” Roll: Hammerschmidt, Feuling, Niskanen, Steidl, Knowles – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: Clerk Raisanen discussed town policies and procedures. The commission also asked him to comment on the violations policy. The commission instructed Oleson to present a draft of the violations policy for the next meeting.
Oleson provided an update on Jack’s Family Recycling Center. He stated that all conditions have been met. The fence in front has been replaced and areas to the west and rear have been addressed by the town board.
Old Business: None
Zoning Administrator’s Report
Adjournment: Being no further business Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
___________________________________
Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2010
___________________________________
John B. Knowles, Chairman