A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 26th day of March, 2007 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 6:50 p.m.
Feuling, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 02/26/07 meeting as written, as well as the site visit minutes of 02/15/07 and 03/14/07. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to recess the meeting at 6:55 p.m. to open up the public hearing on the conditional use application of Harry and Pat May and to reconvene at the end of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting recessed at 6:55 p.m.
Chairman Knowles entertained discussion on the conditional use permit for a temporary second dwelling. The commissioners discussed the timeline for the completion of the new home and the tearing down of the old home. Chairman Knowles also invited comment from the public.
Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the conditional use permit with conditions as outlined in staff recommendation no. 1 “That the new home is connected to ALASD sewer prior to occupancy via the existing sewer stub on the property. If the sewer connection is to remain as is (via the sewer stub on the neighboring property), the applicant shall submit proper legal documentation showing that they have a legal right to have their sewer connection cross private property”; and no. 2 “That the applicant obtains all required township and city (building code) permits prior to construction”; and also to include a new condition that the existing home be demolished within ninety (90) days of an occupancy permit by the city. Roll call: Niskanen, yes; Steidl, yes; Knowles, yes; Feuling, yes; Hammerschmidt, yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to close the public hearing portion of the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting reconvened at 7:24 p.m.
Zoning Administrator’s Report
Oleson gave a brief synopsis of the zoning administrator’s report.
Old Business:
Zoning Administrator Oleson reviewed the purpose of the proposed transportation committee and the recommendations of the town board regarding committee members. Since two of the committee members would consist of planning commissioners, Chairman Knowles confirmed that Commissioners Steidl and Niskanen were interested in participating on this committee. Zoning Administrator Oleson to forward these names to the town clerk for consideration.
Oleson provided an update on the building code. He stated that Mr. Bruce Jaspersen of the City’s Building Office has been invited to attend a town board meeting for a question and answer session, tentatively scheduled for April 16th.
New Business:
Oleson brought up the proposed ordinance amendment regarding non-residential PUD’s (planned unit developments). The material discussed was in relation to density, setbacks, road requirements, allowable impervious surface(s) and open space requirements. Chairman Knowles recognized a member of the public, Mr. Dennis Conn, who addressed the commission on behalf of his recently withdrawn application re the selling of his mini-storage units. The commission informed Mr. Conn that they cannot consider his application until language for this amendment has been formally approved by the town board. Zoning Administrator Oleson to prepare documents on the proposed amendment for a public hearing on April 23rd.
Discussion ensued regarding the adult use ordinance. Zoning Administrator Oleson to prepare documents on this ordinance for a public hearing on April 23rd.
Oleson discussed timelines for reviewing ordinances, policies, etc. and placing them on a rotating schedule. Oleson to set up said timeline schedule.
Being no further business, Steidl, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 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