A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 24th day of August, 2015 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Shad Steinbrecher, Larry Steidl and Linda Dokken-McFann. 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: Dokken-McFann, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Dokken-McFann, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 7/27/2015 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the preliminary plat/conditional use request by Gary Hills.
Public Hearing: Mr. Hills stated that he wishes to split off his home and sell it. The preliminary plat/conditional use request is to allow a three-lot residential subdivision of a 40 acre parcel of land located at 6000 and 6116 S. Lake Jessie Road. The applicant is proposing Lot 1 to be 24 acres, Lot 2 (his home) as 5.52 acres and his mother-in-law’s home (Lot 3) as 9 acres.
Commissioner Dropik joined the meeting.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated there were two options for splitting the land; i.e. metes and bounds or rural reserve. Three lots would necessitate a rural reserve development (RRD). An RRD requires that a minimum of 60% of the land area to be subdivided needs to be under one parcel.
Commissioner Hacker joined the meeting.
Oleson stated that Lot 1 is comprised of farmland. Lots 2 and 3 each contain a home. There is adequate frontage on S. Lake Jessie Road for all three lots. The lots meet all requirements for lot size and width. Each site has the requisite two sewer sites. Mr. Hill interjected that he has had a compliance check done on his homestead, Lot 2.
Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and resumed the meeting.
Dokken-McFann, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed rural reserve development; i.e. RC Farm preliminary plat and conditional use permit with no conditions. Roll: Dokken-McFann – yes, Steinbrecher – yes, Hacker – yes, Dropik – yes, Steidl – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Update provided on an erosion issue on E. Lake Geneva Road.
New Business: Oleson reported that in June, the state signed into law a new buffer initiative aimed at enhancing protection of Minnesota’s waters. The buffer initiative will help protect the state’s water resources from erosion and runoff pollution by establishing roughly 110,000 acres of buffer along waterways while providing flexibility and technical support to landowners for installation and maintenance. The state is mandating buffer protection maps be completed by July 2016, that buffers be in place on all public waters by November 1, 2017 and that buffers be in place on all public drainage systems by November 1, 2018. Oleson will follow up with the county.
Old Business: Oleson reported he had followed up with the DNR on their policy concerning pervious paver credit. The DNR implied that there is no change to their policy, which is to offer no credit for pervious pavers. Consensus to make no change to the township’s current policy.
The commission instructed Deputy Clerk Fulghum to inquire if the town board is open to the transportation committee having a meeting to discuss the road approval policy.
Adjournment: Being no further business Hacker, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2015
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Larry Steidl, Chairman