ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of April 27, 2026
A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 27th day of April, 2026 at the Township Conference Room, 203 Broadway and via teleconference.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Shad Steinbrecher, Larry Steidl, Linda Dokken-McFann, Jessica Fettig 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 Deputy Clerk Fulghum at 5:00 p.m.
Deputy Clerk Fulghum called for nominations for Chairman. Larry Steidl was nominated. As there were no other nominations, Fulghum called for a motion. Haar, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to appoint Larry Steidl as chairman. Motion carried. The meeting was turned over to Chairman Steidl.
Chairman Steidl called for nominations for Vice-Chair. Shad Steinbrecher was nominated. As there were no other nominations, Chairman Steidl called for a motion. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Haar, made a motion to appoint Shad Steinbrecher as Vice-Chair. Motion carried.
Agenda: Steinbrecher, seconded by Haar, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes:, Steinbrecher, seconded by Fettig, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 12/22/2025 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the conditional use request submitted by Marvin Kulzer. The property is located at 7855 Brackin Road SE.
Public Hearing: Mr. Kulzer said he wants to expand his herd of cattle from 32 to 49 head.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated the applicant wishes to expand his herd of cattle from approximately 15 animal units that existed prior to 2007 to a maximum of 49 animal units. He noted the feedlot is within the Rural Conservation Residential (RCR) zoning district. He explained the applicant has operated a small beef cattle feedlot since before the township took over zoning from the county. The feedlot is considered a legal nonconforming use. The township’s zoning ordinance does not allow for new feedlots and limits expansions of pre-existing feedlots to no more than 49 animal units. Oleson noted the increase would be automatically allowed if the feedlot had been legally registered with Douglas County, which it was not. While the registration was not required under state law, it needed to be registered if there was to be a possibility of expansion. He said the applicant will not be adding any other structures, as the animals would be housed in existing barns. Mr. Kulzer’s request is only for the expansion of the number of head of cattle which, by ordinance, necessitates a conditional use permit.
County Feedlot Officer Mark Koep stated his job with the county is to track registrations, handle feedlot permitting, and conduct inspections for the county. He explained that Mr. Kulzer’s feedlot was originally registered in 2017 (well after the township had begun zoning administration) for 12.9 animal units. Since the feedlot is not in shoreland, it actually doesn’t need to be registered until it gets to 50 head. He said the county’s practice would be to administer an IUP, which is a 2-year county permit that identifies the non-compliance nature of the feedlot. He noted the feedlot would need to be brought into compliance by the end of that 2-year period. In this case, he would not issue the county permit until after the township approved Mr. Kulzer’s conditional use permit.
Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment.
Steve Kelly, 3742 Old Lake Road SE, stated he was concerned about the expansion and its proximity to Smith Lake for runoff. Mr. Koep addressed the runoff potential and buffer zones.
Scott Sonstegard, 907 Viking Street, had a question about a manure pile down by the road and the potential for flooding in that area resulting in runoff. He also had a question about fencing. The applicant addressed the concerns.
Hearing no more public comments, Chairman Steidl closed the public hearing and reconvened the meeting.
Oleson asked if the feedlot location would be moved and, if so, the new location. Mr. Koep stated that information would be part of the county’s interim permit. It’d be primarily up to the applicant to put together a plan and submit it. In essence, ensuring the feedlot would be away from the wetland.
Dokken-McFann asked what type of fencing was currently being utilized. Mr. Kulzer stated he is using one strand of electric fencing. She asked if there have there been complaints from neighbors. The response was no. Mr. Koep said state law has no specific regulations regarding fencing.
Haar expressed her concern regarding runoff. Mr. Koep explained that beef cattle have a dry manure. When you add water to it, it doesn’t run off with a heavy rain; therefore, he doesn’t see an issue with runoff into Smith Lake.
Haar asked why the applicant is considering a CUP versus an IUP. Oleson stated our township ordinance requires a CUP for a feedlot expansion.
Haar, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to recommend approval of the 9 conditions and findings of fact supporting approval as outlined in the staff report, amending Condition No 1 to read: “All improvements and practices required by the Douglas County Feedlot Officer consistent with County and State regulations, including those designed to control discharge and runoff, must be fully installed and operational within the timeline established by the feedlot officer.” Roll: Steinbrecher, Fettig, Dokken-McFann, Haar, Steidl – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the interim use request submitted by Edward Herrmann. The property is located at 783 Liberty Road NE.
Ed Herrmann, 5367 Constitution Court NE, stated their intention is to use the property for boat lifts and boat trailers. They anticipate a maximum of 24 lifts and 20 boat trailers. Next season they would relocate them further back on the property to enhance shielding from public view. The items would be on sod, no gravel. He stipulated they would not be storing boats, only the trailers and lifts. At the present time, they are not seeking to be open to the public, but rather just to their HOA members.
Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and reconvened the meeting.
Haar, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to recommend approval of the Herrmann IUP with the findings of fact supporting approval and the 8 conditions outlined in the staff report with the following amendments: 1) Condition No. 1, remove the word “boats;” 2) Condition No. 2. to be amended as “The use of the property for boat trailer and boat lifts shall be limited to no more than 30 units at any one time (except for short-term exceedances of not more than fourteen (14) days during the transition periods of spring and fall); Condition No. 3 to read “The applicant shall maintain sufficient screening to substantially block the view from Liberty Road and the residential development to the south;” amend Condition No. 5 to read: “The existing approach on Liberty Road shall be the sole access point to the storage site. This approach shall be maintained with the dust-free surface such as gravel or pavement and shall be built to the specifications imposed by the Township Engineer to prevent cracking or damage to the paved surface of Liberty Road;” Condition No. 7 to read: “The property owner shall provide Alexandria Township with current contact information, to include the name of a contact person and phone number for the site, within 30 days of permit approval;” Condition No. 8 to include the expiration timeframe of seven (7) years; and adding Condition No. 9 to read: “An after-the-fact fine of $500 is to be paid upon approval.” Roll: Steinbrecher, Fettig, Dokken-McFann, Haar, Steidl – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: none
Old Business: none
Zoning Administrator’s Report: none
Adjournment: Being no further business Chairman Steidl adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2026
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Larry Steidl, Chairman