A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 23rd day of April, 2012 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Julie Haar, Roger Thalman, Larry Steidl and Lyle Hammerschmidt. Also present were Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk, and Ben Oleson, Township Zoning Administrator. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Hammerschmidt at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Steidl, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of vacation rental regulations and pervious pavers under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Haar, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 03/26/2012 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing: none
Old Business: The commission resumed discussion of the proposed zoning ordinance amendments. Greig Manthei, 1302 Maple Drive, was present to discuss the beekeeping ordinance. He questioned the need for written approvals from neighboring landowners as portrayed in part 3. Standards of Practice. He also asked if he would need to obtain approval from every subsequent newcomer who moves into the neighborhood. Overall, he felt the ordinance was too restrictive. The commission chose to reword part 3. (a) under “Standards of Practice” as follows: “Each beekeeper shall provide written evidence that they have notified all adjacent landowners, including those across a road.” Subsets a, b, c and d under 3. (a) were eliminated. No additional changes were made on the other zoning ordinance amendments.
No further changes were made on the proposed subdivision ordinance amendments.
Motion by Thalman, seconded by Steidl, to recommend to the town board adoption of the proposed zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments, to include the changes to the beekeeping ordinance as aforementioned. Motion carried unanimously.
The commission discussed the tabled item of semi-trailer parking.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the town board will be reviewing the comprehensive plan before giving the planning commission further direction.
New Business: Vice-Chairman Hammerschmidt relayed the following committee appointments: Haar and Hammerschmidt – Parks/Recreation committee; Steidl and Hammerschmidt – Transportation committee; Thalman and Steidl – Planning and Zoning. He stated that this information has been conveyed to the town board.
The training session on “Developing Effective Comprehensive Plans” was tabled.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that he had received some inquires as to the township’s regulations for summer and/or rental homes. He said the town board had requested the planning commission to recommend an amendment to the current ordinance regarding the regulation of these types of homes. The commission directed Oleson to conduct additional research for future discussion.
Oleson stated that the town board had requested the planning commission to re-visit the issue of pervious pavers, considering the various types of pavers currently in use and possible credit that could be given for that use. At present, our zoning ordinance does not allow credit for pervious pavers. The commission directed Oleson to obtain a listing of the various types of pavers and the installation process for each.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: update
Adjournment: Being no further business Haar, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2012
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