ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of April 27, 2020
A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 27th day of April, 2020 via teleconference.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Shad Steinbrecher, Larry Steidl, Linda Dokken-McFann and Julie Haar. 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 Chairman Steidl at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Steinbrecher, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Steinbrecher, seconded by Haar, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 03/30/2020 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the conditional use request submitted by Titus II, Inc. located at 7005 County Road 82 SE.
Public Hearing: Mary Yaw, Executive Director for Titus II, stated they are requesting a second building for the ministry center. The new building would be multi-purpose, consisting of a community room (which would be utilized for the community at-large as well as the women at the shelter), living quarters for the director, and a one-stall garage. It is their intent to raise funds prior to the build. They are working on a grant with United Way.
Chairman Steidl asked if the buildings would be connected. Ms. Yaw said there will be a walkway connecting the new building to the main building.
Oleson reported that the conditional use request is to convert an existing single-family dwelling to a two-family dwelling. A CUP is required to have a two-family dwelling in the Commercial-Rural zoning district. Two separate structures would not be allowed, which is why the applicant is proposing to connect them via a walkway. He noted that the two existing garages would be demolished.
Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and resumed the meeting.
Oleson asked if the driveway would be extended. The applicant stated yes, and also mentioned there would eventually be a parking lot once the playground was established. Oleson asked if the propane tank would need to be moved. Again, Ms. Yaw said yes. She said a new location would be determined once the ministry gained approval of the CUP from the township.
Oleson reported a question was raised regarding the sewer system capacity, especially since there would be an additional bedroom in the new building. Ms. Yaw said according to the septic installer, the new building would be connected to the existing system and would require an additional tank be installed. Oleson stated that in his conversation with Pat Schultz, Environmental Planning Technician for the county, Schultz said Titus II’s system was built for six bedrooms but the tank capacity can accommodate for seven. In light of this information, Oleson suggested Ms. Yaw contact Mr. Schultz to see if possibly an additional tank would not be needed.
Ms. Yaw mentioned that during the site visit, the question was asked as to when they would anticipate breaking ground. She stated this is part of a capital campaign. Titus has always worked as a debt-free ministry so they want to have a substantial portion of the monies in place before the work is begun. She conceded that this could be a lengthy process and proposed notifying the township when they are close to breaking ground.
Oleson stated that normally land use permits are valid for a year. He mentioned the ministry could ask for an extension if needed, which is actually addressed under the first condition in the staff report.
Haar, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to recommend approval of the conditional use request submitted by Titus, II, Inc. to convert an existing single family dwelling into a 2-family dwelling and to include the two conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Haar – yes, Steinbrecher – yes, Dokken-McFann – yes, Steidl – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Oleson provided an update on zoning activities. Commissioner Haar requested a review of the rules regarding poultry. Consensus to have the town include regulations for keeping chickens in the next newsletter.
New Business: none
Old Business: Steidl reported that he had spoken with Mike Weber concerning the proposed I-94 exchange. The new exchange will come off Pioneer Road; however, Mr. Weber indicated new information would not be forthcoming for the next several months.
Adjournment: Being no further business Steinbrecher, seconded by Haar, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2020
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Larry Steidl, Chairman