A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 25th day of June, 2007 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street, Alexandria, MN 56308.
Roll Call: Commission members present were John Knowles, 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 6:30 p.m.
Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the agenda with the correction of No. 2 under “Public Hearing”, deleting the portion “Controlled Access Lots”. Motion carried unanimously.
Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 05/30/07 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to recess the meeting at 6:34 p.m. to open up the public hearing on the Beisner prelim plat “Fifth Addition to Lake Geneva Estates and to reconvene at the end of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting recessed at 6:34 p.m.
Public Hearing:
Chairman Knowles invited Al Beisner, Applicant, to present his case. The commission then asked Ben Oleson to comment. He stated that the main cause for concern with this plat would lie with the stormwater plan. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed rainwater gardens as part of the stormwater plan.
Chairman Knowles opened the meeting to the public for comment. Hearing none, he brought the issue back to the commission.
Zoning Administrator Oleson read a letter to the commission from the township engineer regarding his stormwater review.
A member from the public requested permission to speak and was denied since that portion of the hearing was over.
Motion by Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to recommend the application be forwarded to the Town Board with the conditions as listed. Roll: Niskanen – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Hammerschmidt – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Knowles allowed a member from the public the opportunity to speak after the vote was taken. Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to reconvene the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting reconvened at 7:20 p.m.
Chairman Knowles turned the meeting over to Zoning Administrator Oleson to discuss changes to the zoning districts and zoning map; i.e. Zoning Ordinance. Oleson stated that he has been gathering comments from various agencies regarding the proposed changes.
Oleson distributed a hand-out to the commission members of discussion items outlining the options available to the commission, areas of potential conflict with county ordinances and changes to the zoning districts.
Chairman Knowles asked the public for comment He then turned the issue back to the commission.
Motion by Hammerschmidt, seconded by Steidl, to approve the proposed changes to the zoning ordinance and the zoning map as presented. Roll: Niskanen – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Hammerschmidt – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson then requested discussion on the Zoning Ordinance regarding controlled access lots. He explained that this would be a lot to provide access to back lots. He stated that the DNR is in the process of banning controlled access lots to back lots.
Motion by Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to table this issue and bring it back to the zoning subcommittee for further contemplation. Roll: Hammerschmidt – yes, Knowles – yes, Steidl – yes, Niskanen – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson asked the Chairman if the commission would consider amending a previous motion to include the subdivision ordinance. Said new ordinance would read, “motion to approve the proposed changes to the zoning ordinance, zoning map and the subdivision ordinance as presented”. Chairman Knowles asked if the persons presenting the original motion, Hammerschmidt and Steidl, had any objection. They had none. Therefore, Chairman Knowles asked for a new vote on the proposed amended motion. Roll: Hammerschmidt – yes, Knowles – yes, Steidl – yes, Niskanen – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
As outlined in the staff report.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
None
Adjournment:
Being no further business, Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this _______day of ________, 2007
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John B. Knowles, Chairman