Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of February 3, 2025
A regular / Board of Adjustment meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of February, 2025 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright. Also present were Mark Meuwissen, 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.
Chairman Eldevik recessed the meeting to open the Board of Adjustment public hearing on the variance request submitted by Stryhn LLC on behalf of the property owner, Kent Hustad. The variance request is to allow for the replacement / expansion of an open deck in the Residential Shoreland District not meeting the required minimum setback for a bluff. Property address is 2818 S. Crestwood Drive NE.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the variance is needed due to the proximity of the bluff. The proposed structure would be located approximately 27 – 28 feet away from the top of the bluff (minimum of 30 feet required). He noted the lot contains steep slopes which would impact the proposed improvement(s) to the property. He explained the project would remove an existing approximate 806 square foot wraparound open deck on the lake side of the dwelling and replace it with a new 8’ x 17’4” screen porch and an 8’ x 13’10” open deck connected to each other by a 4’ x 16’ walkway.
The applicant stated they are reducing the impact of the overall impervious coverage and pulling back from the bluff area.
Chairman Eldevik opened the meeting to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.
Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 1/22/2025 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 25024 – 25033 in the amount of $24,114.01, net payroll $4,536.85 totaling $28,650.86 and a transfer of funds from savings of $25,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Chairman Eldevik asked for discussion on the variance request. Hearing none, he called for a motion. Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the variance request submitted by Stryhn LLC to allow a bluff setback of approximately 27 square feet based on the findings of fact and 2 conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Dahlheimer, Butz, Wright, Oberg, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported he had attended a webinar hosted by the MPCA regarding stormwater. He stated a study for the Lake Geneva and Lake Victoria areas would run approximately $40 – $50,000.00.
Chairman Eldevik reported the town received two requests for additional streetlights, one in the Pawnee area and the other along W. Lake Jessie Drive. Our current policy on whether to install streetlights is determined by the following criteria: the presence of a curve, traffic volume, speed limit, or if it poses a potential safety hazard. He suggested amending the road and street construction standards to reflect a more definitive streetlight policy. Kuhn to check with other municipalities on their policies and bring a recommendation back to the board.
OLD BUSINESS: none
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Meuwissen presented the proposed 2026 budget. Supervisor Oberg suggested increasing two line items: road and bridge to $400,000 and blacktop to $360,000. Meuwissen stated the budget committee recommended a 14% levy. Action on the budget and levy were tabled until the next meeting.
Chairman Eldevik adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2025
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman