ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of December 27, 2023
A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 27th day of December 2023 at the Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconference.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Shad Steinbrecher, Larry Steidl and Linda Dokken-McFann. Also present were Bonnie Fulghum, Administrative Assistant, 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 Dokken-McFann, 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 11/27/2023 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the interim use request submitted by Kathy Hodges. The property is located at 3813 Hazel Hill Road SE.
Public Hearing: Ms. Hodges, along with her spouse, Patricia Puyear, stated their intent is to provide a destination trailer on the property for Ms. Puyear’s sister, who is a disabled veteran and in need of medical assistance on a daily basis.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the applicants are proposing to place a recreational vehicle (RV) on the property for use as a temporary year-round dwelling for a family member in need of assistance with daily living. The vehicle would be placed to the north of the existing permanent dwelling on the property and screened from view from the public road but visible from adjoining properties to the west and east. He said the purpose of the interim use request is to establish a time limit for the temporary second dwelling. Oleson reported there is a possibility of ALASD extending the sewer boundaries to this area as early as next summer. If that occurs, landowners are typically required to connect to the sanitary sewer line within a set number of years. In the meantime, the sewage generated by the temporary dwelling will be deposited into the existing septic tank on the premises. The pedestal for electricity has already been installed. The RV will be placed directly on the ground versus on Class 5 or a concrete slab.
Ms. Hodges is requesting a minimum of five years approval with the ability to renew after expiration. Oleson stated five years has been the typical default for these types of applications.
Chairman Steidl asked the size of the current dwelling. Ms. Hodges stated it is a 3-bedroom house, and the septic system was designed for a 3-bedroom home. With two people living in the home, the RV would technically constitute the third person (bedroom) and thus meet the design requirement. Ms. Hodges stated she had submitted a septic compliance inspection to the town. Commissioner Dokken-McFann noted the compliance inspection was done recently, dated December 5, 2023.
Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and resumed the meeting.
Dokken-Mc-Fann asked if the township had received any written comments or other inquiries. Oleson remarked he’d received a phone call asking for clarification of the intent.
Dokken-McFann, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to recommend approval of the Hodges interim use application with the three conditions outlined in the staff report, changing condition no. 1 to read: “that the temporary second dwelling shall be removed upon whichever of the following scenarios occurs first: 1) 5 years or 2) when the planned occupant of the temporary dwelling no longer needs the housing. Upon expiration, the RV shall be removed within 30 days during the summer months or in winter months by June 1st”; condition no. 3 to read: “the RV shall be connected into the existing septic system with the applicant providing evidence of hook-up, and that a compliance inspection of the sewer system shall be conducted every three years as long as the second dwelling is in place or until the property is connected to ALASD”; adding condition no. 4: “the approval is for the RV as presented or a similar model and condition subject to the approval of the zoning administrator. Any dispute shall be brought to the attention of the town board”; and adding condition no. 5: “Ms. Puyear’s sister shall be the approved and sole occupant.” Roll: Steinbrecher – yes, Dokken-McFann – yes, Steidl – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: none
Old Business: none
Zoning Administrator’s Report: none
Adjournment: Being no further business Steinbrecher, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Administrative Assistant
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2024
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Larry Steidl, Chairman