A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 22nd day of July, 2013 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Julie Haar, Larry Steidl, Linda Dokken-McFann and Bill Dropik, Jr. 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: Haar, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dropik, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 06/24/2013 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing.
Commissioner Mary Hacker joined the meeting.
Public Hearing: Rodger and Carol Nelson, 2720 LeHomme Dieu Heights NE, have applied for a conditional use permit for an adjacent lot on which they have a purchase agreement, 2716 LeHomme Dieu Heights NE. The agreement is contingent upon approval of this application. The permit would allow for the movement of greater than 50 cubic yards of soil and materials in a shore impact zone, repair previous bluff excavation, and address erosion issues.
The Nelsons expressed concern as to the expected completion date of December 31, 2013 (as noted in the staff recommendations.) They would like at least a year from the time of purchase (tentatively set for August 15, 2013) to accomplish the work.
Commissioner Dokken-McFann asked what their priority would be with this project. The Nelsons replied the retaining wall and steps.
Commissioner Haar asked if they planned on adding more steps than what is existing, to which they replied no.
The Nelsons stated that their intent is to start with the boulders (at the bottom) and work their way to the top, where they intend to plant and mulch.
Commissioner Hacker asked if the boulders acting as a form of retaining wall would hold, to which they responded yes. The Nelsons also had their contractor present to address these types of issues.
Commissioner Haar stated the staff report mentioned a permit to build a home was obtained previously. Oleson said that permit is considered expired and the Nelsons would need to reapply for a building permit. The Nelsons responded that they want to concentrate on the lakeshore portion now and will consider the building project later.
Oleson commented that he had spoken with Douglas County Soil & Water staff who, after viewing the aerials, expressed no immediate concerns regarding this project.
Seeing there was no comment from the public, Chairman Steidl closed the hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.
Commissioner Haar expressed adding the word “half” to condition no. 1 as follows: “…A mini-backhoe or such equipment may be used at the top half of the bluff for the placement of rock boulders….”
The commission agreed to re-word condition no. 3 as follows: “That all work (stairway, retaining walls, building replacement, site stabilized from erosion) be completed by August 31, 2014. Should the building, in particular, not be replaced by this date, it would be considered abandoned and could not be rebuilt without a variance. If the building is not rebuilt, the site needs to be stabilized in a manner approved by the zoning administrator.”
Motion by Dokken-McFann, seconded by Hacker, to recommend approval of the Nelson’s conditional use application with the four conditions outlined in the staff report including changes to nos. 1 and 3 as indicated above. Roll: Dropik – yes, Hacker – yes, Dokken-McFann – yes, Haar – yes, Steidl – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Discussed the use of infiltration trenches and rain gardens. Update on the clean-up progress for Jack’s Recycling.
New Business: Zoning Administrator Oleson presented a draft of the township sign ordinance. There was a consensus to have Oleson schedule a public hearing for amendments to the zoning ordinance, in particular the portions relating to signs and keeping of animals. The commission will be reviewing possible amendments to home occupations and temporary fencing.
Due to scheduling conflicts, the commission discussed changing the day of the week for site visits. Site visits will now be scheduled at 12:30 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the planning commission meeting. This will be effective through December 2013.
Old Business: The discussion and training on comprehensive plans was tabled until the next meeting.
Adjournment: Being no further business Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dropik, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2013
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Larry Steidl, Chairman