A regular meeting, as well as a public hearing, of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 26th day of February, 2007 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Commission members present were John Knowles, Julie Feuling, Russ Niskanen, Larry Steidl and Lyle Hammerschmidt. Also present were Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk, Ben Oleson, Zoning Administrator, and applicants Gregory and Matthew Hill. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Knowles at 6:30 p.m.
Steidl, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of pumping of sewer systems as item no. 4 under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 1/22/07 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to recess the meeting at 6:35 p.m. to open up the public hearing on the conditional use application of Messrs. Hill and to reconvene at the end of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting recessed at 6:35 p.m.
Chairman Knowles entertained discussion on the conditional use permit for a used car lot, said property located at 3505 Highway 27 East. Zoning Administrator Oleson questioned whether the applicants had spoken with MnDot. Questions were asked of the applicants as to whether any consideration had been given regarding blacktop and the addition of a security light.
A statement was submitted by a resident, Jon Schneider. Chairman Knowles asked the deputy clerk to read the statement aloud. Some of the concerns voiced in the statement regarded debris that had collected in and around the property. The commission decided those concerns should be addressed separately, as it would be the responsibility of the property owner rather than of the applicants.
Motion made by Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to recommend to the town board that this application be approved with the following conditions: 1) that any hazardous leaks and/or substances be immediately attended to; 2) that the applicants contact MnDot; 3) that the hours of operation be established as 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and 4) to include the recommendations in the staff report, nos. 1, 2 and 4. Roll call: Hammerschmidt – yes, Knowles – yes, Feuling – yes, Steidl – yes, Niskanen – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to reconvene the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
New Business:
Zoning Administrator Oleson gave a brief synopsis on special conditions for residential programs (for group homes). This was at the request of Mike Woods, Douglas County Social Services Director. Oleson provided copies of MN Statute 245A.11 to those who desired it.
Oleson reviewed the data in the 2006 Land and Resource Management Annual Report.
Commissioner Niskanen advocated for a transportation committee. He stated that this was at the request of the subcommittee. The purpose of this committee would be to establish road priorities and speak into road construction matters as it relates to density, development, traffic and road capacity. Proposed committee members would include the township engineer, township zoning administrator, township roads supervisor Dahlheimer, and two planning commission members. Chairman Knowles asked for volunteers to serve on this committee. Commission members Niskanen and Steidl requested to serve. Zoning Administrator Oleson to bring this proposal to the town board at their next meeting.
Commissioner Niskanen also inquired as to a Parks Committee. Oleson commented that a Parks Committee has been established, consisting of the town clerk, the county parks director, the zoning administrator, a township resident, township supervisor Alstead and two planning commission members. Chairman Knowles asked for volunteers to serve on this committee. Commission members Feuling and Hammerschmidt requested to serve. Zoning Administrator Oleson to bring the names of the commission members who volunteered for this committee to the town clerk and town board at their next meeting.
Commissioner Hammerschmidt brought up the subject of septic system freeze-ups. Zoning Administrator Oleson presented a University of Minnesota Fact Sheet regarding an onsite sewage treatment program. The commission proposed putting a link on the web and a notice in the next township newsletter.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Oleson asked the commission their views on the proposal stated in the zoning administrator’s report concerning sewer system non-compliance. The proposal relates to the six parcels specifically referred to in the report. A motion was made by Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, to support the amnesty period until June 1st, 2007 and, if no action, the matter would be turned over to the township attorney for prosecution. Roll call: Niskanen – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Feuling – yes, Hammerschmidt – abstain. Motion carried.
Old Business:
Zoning Administrator Oleson provided a zoning update. He stated that the subcommittee will be re-vamping a portion of the zoning ordinance by spring, said portion being the zoning districts.
Being no further business, Steidl, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this _______day of ________, 2007
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John B. Knowles, Chairman