ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of February 24, 2020
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 24th day of February, 2020 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
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 01/27/2020 meeting as written. Motion carried. Dokken-McFann abstained.
Public Hearing: none
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Zoning Administrator Oleson provided an update on zoning activities.
New Business: none
Old Business: Oleson presented a draft of the future land use map depicting Phases I – III commercial areas. It was noted that Mike Weber would be present at the next meeting to discuss plans for a future exit off of 94 and other projects that could potentially impact the township. Consensus to table discussion until the next meeting. The planning commission will forward its recommendation on the future land use map to the town board for their comments before scheduling a public hearing.
Oleson also presented for discussion proposed amendments for the sign ordinance, subdivision ordinance, and zoning ordinance. He noted that the town had amended its sign ordinance in 2018 to add electronic changeable copy signs to the list of conditional uses allowed in the commercial and industrial zoning districts. These signs had inadvertently remained on the list of prohibited uses and thus needs to be removed from that use.
With regard to the subdivision ordinance, Oleson stated that much of the language was pulled from the Douglas County Subdivision Ordinance. There remains several references throughout the document that reads “county” that should in actuality read “town board.”
Oleson asked for discussion on the zoning ordinance’s language regarding erosion and sediment control requirements listed under Section V. Performance Standards. Under subsection L. Additional Provisions Within The Shoreland District (RS and CS), No. 2. Alterations Within The Shoreland, it was agreed to delete 2.b. Under the proposed 2.c., the commission conferred on perhaps requiring no extra fee and instead recommending that this become a condition for securing the permit. They also requested Oleson add language to address illegal activity.
Oleson stated that Douglas County had adopted a renewable energy ordinance a few years ago which the township’s ordinance automatically adopted by reference. The proposed ordinance amendment would formally adopt the language into the town’s ordinances.
Oleson will prepare a new draft of the proposed amendments for the commission’s review.
Adjournment: Being no further business Steinbrecher, seconded by Haar, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
___________________________________
Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2020
___________________________________
Larry Steidl, Chairman