ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of April 28, 2025
A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 28th day of April, 2025 at the Township Conference Room, 324 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 Chairman Steidl at 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: Steinbrecher, seconded by Fettig, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Steinbrecher, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 01/27/2025 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the preliminary plat of Liberty Estates submitted by Quick Stop Properties. The property is located at 1712 Liberty Road NE.
Public Hearing: Doug Thompson, representing Quick Stop Properties, states he intends to create three lots from a 23-acre site. Lot 1, comprised of 12.07 acres, will be for sale; Lot 2, comprised of 3.45 acres, will be sold to his nephew; and Lot 3, comprised of 6.78 acres, will be retained for his brother. Note that Lot 3 has an existing home. Mark Jahner, of Stoeckel Jahner Land Surveying, commented that Lot 2 will utilize the existing approach via an easement across Lot 3. Lot 1 has existing wetlands near the road.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that a plat is required when subdividing property. The applicant is proposing to subdivide the 23-acre site into three lots. Lot 1 will have a new driveway through the wetland. Both Lots 2 and 3 will access their existing driveways through Lot 3, with an easement for Lot 2. This area is within ALASD boundaries and normally would be required to connect to sewer. The sewer line is to the west, by Donway Drive, and is not accessible as another property is between the line and the new subdivision. The applicants have applied for a variance to not connect to public sewer. That public hearing will be held on May 5, 2025 with the Board of Adjustment. As part of that application, 2 sewer drainfield sites will need to be identified (for Lots 2 and 3). Lot 3, which has the existing house, has a sewer system which will need to be replaced. All lots meet the minimum lot size requirement. Oleson noted that Lot 1 is essentially a flag lot. It does, however, meet the 100’ width requirement.
The applicant stated the barn on Lot 2 will be removed. The 4 grain bins located throughout the property are being sold. All sheds are being removed. No structures will cross boundary lines. DCSW has no problem with wetlands on the property.
Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment.
Ken Howell, 2012 E. Lake Geneva Road, asked if this plat was for multiple homes. The applicant stated no. Oleson remarked that based on the ordinance, only one residence will be allowed on each lot. Anything more than that would need to go through the public hearing process.
Dean Logan, 1886 Liberty Road, said his property abuts the property. He asked about the locations of the driveways. He also wanted to know if the narrow stretch north of Lot 2 was another lot or just part of Lot 1 to access Liberty Road. He asked exactly where the driveway for Lot 1 would be located. Oleson stated it would be somewhere within the 100’ designation and would need to be 10 feet away from the boundary lines.
Steidl asked if a 40’ culvert would be needed. Oleson stated whatever would accommodate the drainage. He said to keep in mind there is a wetland and the direction of the waterflow would need to be determined.
Hearing no more comments, Chairman Steidl closed the public hearing and resumed the meeting.
After discussion, Haar, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to recommend approval of the Liberty Estates preliminary plat based upon the findings of fact and recommendations outlined in the staff report as follows: retain recommendation nos. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7, omit no. 3, and change no. 2 to read: “10 foot utility easements shall be provided along Liberty Road right-of-way and no drainage easements shall be required.” Roll: Haar, Steinbrecher, Dokken-McFann, Fettig and Steidl – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: none
Old Business: none
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Oleson provided an update on zoning activities.
Adjournment: Being no further business, Haar, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2025
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Larry Steidl, Chairman