Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of February 21, 2018
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors 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 meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
The regular board meeting was recessed and the board of adjustment meeting was opened at 6:05 PM
The regular board meeting was reconvened at 6:20 PM.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2018 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 18039 – 18046 in the amount of $9,286.34, net payroll $507.92, EFTPS $1,264.46, totaling $11,058.72 with a transfer of funds from savings of $11,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson presented two variance requests submitted by Robert Bugher to allow a 5-unit planned unit development located along Lakecrest Drive on less than the minimum requirement of 2.5 acres and to allow less than 50% open space as required by ordinance. The current property is platted as 4 residential lots. Variances can be granted if the applicant demonstrates that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance, such as the property is unique, the property owner cannot enjoy rights enjoyed by other owners and, if the variance is granted, it will not alter the essential character of the property. Staff recommended three options: deny both variances due to a lack of an established practical difficulty, approve both variances because the development is consistent with the area since it serves as an extension to the Lakecrest Townhome development, or to approve one variance and deny the other and amend the zoning ordinance on how open space is calculated to be consistent with Douglas County’s ordinance. He also suggested that the township could recommend that the county amend their ordinance to permit PUDs on property less than 2.5 acres in size. He also reported that the property is not in a shoreland area and the neighbors are in support of the project.
Dokken-McFann, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the variance request submitted by Robert Bugher to permit a PUD to be constructed on a lot less than 2.5 acres in size. For: Wright, Dokken-McFann. Against: Dahlheimer, Eldevik. Motion failed.
Dokken-McFann made a motion to table action on the variance request until the next board meeting. Action tabled until March 5, 2018.
Dahlheimer made a motion to table action on the second variance application submitted by Robert Bugher to permit a PUD to be constructed not meeting the open space requirement. Action tabled until the next meeting on March 5, 2018.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn recommended that the township stripe Liberty Road and a portion of Maple Drive for a total of 3 miles. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize the stripping of the two roads recommended by Engineer Kuhn. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Kuhn reported that the township has received verbal approval to raise a portion of E. Lake Jessie Road.
NEW BUSINESS: The board reviewed the proposed 2018 levy prepared by the budget committee. Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to forward a proposed levy in the amount of $668,631 to the voters at the annual town meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2018
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman