Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of February 21, 2018
A Board of Adjustment meeting of Alexandria Township was held on the 21st day of February, 2018 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Linda Dokken-McFann and Jerry Wright. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the public hearing and meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:05 p.m.
Chairman Eldevik provided a summary of the request submitted by Robert Bugher for two variances to allow a 5-unit planned unit development on less than the minimum of 2.5 acres and to allow less than 50% open space as required by ordinance. Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the property being consideration is currently platted as 4 residential lots. The reason for the variance is that the property is 1.6 acres in size and the current zoning ordinance requires 2.5 acres in size, and the open space calculation is 29% instead of the 50% required, partially because the 25 ft. from a roadway and 25 ft. from a building are not included in the calculation. If the variances are approved, the plat would have to be approved in a second application later before the project could start.
Mike Leland, located across the street from the proposed project, requested information regarding the proposed project. Mr. Oleson reported that the current lots are platted for 4 single family homes and the proposed project is a request to build 5 detached townhomes.
Robert Bugher reported that he used to own the property. For the last 10-15 years, the property has been an eyesore and there have been complaints from residents in the area about weeds and thistles. He is proposing to build homes similar to homes across the street and finish off the area, providing a big improvement to the area.
Mike Reay, 2959 Lakecrest Drive, spoke in support of the project, saying the units are nice and fit in with the neighborhood.
Jay Paulson, Highpoint Homes, one of the owners of one of the four lots being considered in the project, said the proposed project would complement the area and fit in.
Brad Nyberg, Nyberg Surveying, reported that the 50% open space requirement, with the way the ordinance is written, would only permit 2 townhomes because of the road setback not included in the calculation. The project fits the existing neighborhood.
Mke Leland inquired if the township would receive additional taxes as a result of 5 townhomes being built instead of 4 homes. Clerk Raisanen reported that the additional home would not result in any additional taxes that the township would collect. The township levies a fixed amount for taxes annually.
Dale Serum was in support of the project since the proposed homes would be uniform with the homes across the street. If homes are built as platted, there may not be the uniformity.
Norm Schimmelpfening inquired if a playground would be required as a condition of approval.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that a park dedication fee is collected on each lot, which the county collects for future parks, but not necessarily in the area of the plat.
Supervisor Dokken-McFann asked the applicant what the practical difficulty was if the variance was not approved to allow the 5th home. Mr. Bugher reported that he presently does not own the land and would not purchase the property if five homes are not permitted. The project has to work financially for him.
Supervisor Wright inquired if the proposed project could be included as part of the existing Lakecrest Townhomes across the street since it is contiguous. Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that it would be difficult at the present time since it is a different homeowner’s association, all of the properties have been sold, and the applicant does not own any property within the existing Townhome Association.
Meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2018
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman