Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of June 1, 2015
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 1st day of June, 2015 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jul Feuling, Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer and Russell Niskanen. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chair Feuling at 6:00 p.m.
Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of pervious pavers and township policy regarding acceptance of private roads under Planning and Zoning. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to appoint Rod Eldevik to serve the vacant Supervisor Position effective immediately. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Eldevik joined the meeting.
Niskanen, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 05/18/2015 regular board meeting with the following corrections: bottom of page 1, last sentence to read: “Oleson stated that all…” and on page 2, fifth paragraph to read: “Supervisor Dahlheimer stated that in 2005….” Motion carried. Eldevik abstained.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 15103 – 15113 in the amount of $45,803.59, net payroll of $4,947.95, totaling $50,751.54 with a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $50,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the planning commission held a public hearing on the conditional use request for Dave Klein of Creative Landscapes. The applicant is proposing to operate a landscaping business from a portion of the property located at 2704 Geneva Rd NE. Oleson noted that the property is located in the residential zoning district. The site has been used historically for commercial/light industrial businesses since the 1970s. The planning commission recommended approval with five conditions. The planning commission added a fifth condition to the four that were outlined in the staff report. Oleson noted condition no. 3 could be perceived to indicate a different type of contractor’s yard with outdoor storage. Condition no. 2 would pertain to any outdoor storage needing to be screened from view. Chair Feuling asked Oleson to define what constitutes a CUP, IUP and a variance. Oleson stated this application would be considered a CUP that would run continuously as long as conditions are met. Supervisor Niskanen asked if the applicant was comfortable with the conditions, to which he responded yes. Supervisor Oberg asked if a CUP could be based upon ownership, since it would be attached to the land. Oleson responded that a CUP could be considered abandoned if it hasn’t been used for a number of years. Chair Feuling stated that condition no. 2 is more ambiguous as it relates to “a contractor’s yard”, and perhaps the board could limit the type or the area where things are stored. Supervisor Oberg affirmed there would be no retail sales. Oleson stated the applicant is allowed two signs but they are asking for only one. Supervisor Oberg asked what their plans were for future expansion; i.e. additional employees, trucks, etc. Supervisor Niskanen asked if there would be heavy truck traffic. Mr. Klein responded no. Supervisor Oberg inquired if there would be any chemical use or storage of same. Mr. Klein responded none, just normal maintenance of equipment on the property. Any disposal of fluids is done per MPCA regulations and is hauled out every week on Saturdays. Niskanen, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the conditional use request for Creative Landscapes with the five conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Niskanen – yes, Oberg – yes, Dahlheimer, yes, Eldevik – yes, Feuling – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported the planning commission had also held a public hearing for the Preliminary Plat of Patty’s Paradise, Patty and Randall Boushek, applicants. The request is to allow for the re-platting of Lot 12, Block One, Rearrangement of Island Addition to Crestwood Hills into one 41,541 square foot residential lot encompassing the existing dwelling and one 12,688 square foot outlot that would allow for the construction of one small storage shed, approximately 8’ x 14’. It would consist of one normal sized lot and an outlot to encompass the northern portion of the property. The outlot would be nonbuildable with the intended use as a garden. The planning commission recommended approval with the two conditions listed in the staff report. Jon Schuette of Design Tree Engineering, representing the applicants, stated the Bousheks would install a moveable garden shed on an existing concrete pad. Chair Feuling asked how large of a garden is being proposed. Oleson stated there are no permit requirements for gardens. When asked if there were plans for a community garden, Mr. Schuette responded none. Supervisor Dahlheimer clarified the intent is to keep part of the lot and sell the rest. Mr. Schuette affirmed. Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the preliminary plat of Patty’s Paradise with the two conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Niskanen – yes, Oberg – yes, Dahlheimer – yes, Eldevik – yes, Feuling – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported that pervious paver systems are not considered pervious under the township zoning ordinance. A landowner could receive a partial credit if they remove a portion of existing impervious surface; i.e. 1.5 square feet removed for every one square foot added or removes existing impervious surfaces at a 1:1 ratio. Niskanen commented that the county is doing very well with pervious pavers. Oleson stated that in order for the systems to function properly, they need to be designed and installed correctly. Chair Feuling asked how a municipality would enforce maintenance. Supervisor Oberg commented on the type of sand used for the systems. Oleson stated that under the county’s ordinance, to allow for a 100 percent credit a landowner must have a CUP. Consensus of the board is to have the planning commission review the township’s stance on pervious pavers.
The township’s current policy is to consider acceptance of private roads in new developments based on the following criteria: 1) after township standards are met and, 2) once the final lift is applied, the developer assumes a one-year maintenance period and can petition the town to take over the road. A one year warranty ensues after the town accepts the road and the warranty can run concurrently with the maintenance period. The board discussed adding another condition for acceptance; i.e. requirement that a certain percentage of lots be sold. Supervisor Oberg commented using a combination of these factors to trigger a review. Consensus of the town board is to have the planning commission review the criteria needed for acceptance.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen reported that Engineer Kuhn is working on the design for Neewana Beach Road. He has a concern regarding the width of the road surface because it may have impact on wetlands, which are located on the eastern portion of the road. He suggested widening the road at the position of the box culvert only. Clerk Raisanen and Engineer Kuhn will meet with Mr. Thompson to ascertain his expectations with regard to the project and what expenses he is willing to front.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported we receive an annual franchise fee for Charter Communications to operate in the township. This is a typical arrangement for municipalities. Two concerns expressed by residents are that costs are continuing to escalate and the type of programming offered under their basic channels. He also reported that state law prohibits a municipality from granting an additional franchise for cable service for an area included in an existing franchise on terms and conditions more favorable or less burdensome than those in the existing franchise (see MN Stat 238.08 (b) Franchise Requirement). He stated the purpose of the franchise fee is to allow the franchise to put the cable in the township’s right of way and to access the cable for maintenance purposes. A resident inquired about the township supporting UHF channels. Consensus to have the clerk confer with the township attorney on the franchise agreement.
NEW BUSINESS:
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2015
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Jul Feuling, Chair