Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of June 5, 2023
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 5th day of June, 2023 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, and Dennis Butz. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, with Mona Billmark, Treasurer, attending via teleconference. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Chairman Eldevik closed the regular meeting to open the public hearing on a variance request submitted by Joel Hanak. Property is located at 3806 Crestwood Drive NE.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported Mr. Hanak’s application is to build an open deck on the lake side of the house. Normal lake setback is 50 feet. Historically there was a 3-season porch until 2010, when it was removed and not replaced. A concrete patio is existing in that same area. The entire deck would be built over the existing concrete patio, thus adding no additional impervious coverage. Grandfather status was lost as nothing was rebuilt within a year of the porch tear down. The property is currently over the 25% impervious coverage, about 26%. Rain gutters will be added for proper drainage.
Mr. Hanak presented an additional letter of support from his neighbor, Paul Radjenovich.
Chairman Eldevik closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 6:10 PM.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of Ordinances under Old Business and Cannabis Update under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 5/15/23 regular board meeting minutes and 5/30/23 special board meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 23087 – 23097 in the amount of $48,144.14, net payroll $4,834.14 totaling $52,978.28 and a transfer from savings of $50,000. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING:
Hanak Variance Request: Oleson reported he received three comments: two in support of the project and one from the DNR. Mr. Radjenovich’s letter constitutes the third neighbor in support of the project. Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the variance request submitted by Joel Hanak based on the findings of fact and staff recommendations as provided in the staff report and to include a rain gutter plan under recommendation no. 1. Roll: Oberg, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Wright joined the meeting.
Under the comprehensive plan amendments, consensus to include language stating the township supports Douglas County’s guidelines. Under Parks and Rec, Clerk Raisanen clarified the township must pay park dedication fees to the county. The county, however, has no obligation to utilize those dollars specifically in the township. Oleson to provide a final draft of the comprehensive plan amendments at the next meeting.
Oleson to provide a final draft of the zoning ordinance amendments at the next meeting.
Supervisor Wright reported there were potential zoning violations at 1804 E. Lake Geneva Road NE. He verified no permits were issued for either the tree removal or earth being moved. He mentioned this is an area in need of drainage corrections. Consensus to have Oleson send out a letter to the landowner and make a site visit.
Consensus to have Oleson make a site visit to a property along Co Rd 82 for possible zoning violations.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen reported the township engineer has communicated with another company that does appraisals. Consensus to have the clerk contact the township attorney on the process for moving forward.
The township engineer will have a proposal ready for the next meeting on 2023 road repairs, including Liberty.
OLD BUSINESS: Supervisor Oberg questioned language in the proposed zoning ordinance amendment concerning shouse construction. Currently no permitting is allowed on riparian / non-riparian lots in the shoreland district. Consensus is to consider shouse construction with a CUP for back lots on non-riparian lots with no limit on acreage.
Regarding the Dropik violation, Oleson reported the town did not commence with removal of vehicles to storage. Consensus to direct the clerk to contact the township attorney on next steps.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported he and Chairman Eldevik attended the zoom meeting hosted by our township attorney regarding legalization of cannabis. Minnesota has legalized cannabis beginning August 1st; however, the rule making process will not be in place for a year. THC-laced gummies are not part of the legislation since they are grown with hemp instead of marijuana, which equates to different rules for possession, sale, etc. Enacting an interim ordinance was recommended. This will be researched and brought back to the board for discussion.
Being no further business, Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Interim Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2023
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman