A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 28th day of July, 2008 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were John Knowles, Julie Feuling, Russ Niskanen and Larry Steidl . Also present was 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 Knowles at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda:
Steidl, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of grading/sewer project on W. Lake Jessie under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes:
Steidl, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2008 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing: None
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Zoning Administrator Oleson commented on the CUP that had been granted on the Watkins property located at 304 E. Lake Geneva Road. A condition of the CUP was to establish erosion control with regard to the ravine. To date, there has been some erosion due to the heavy rains. To compensate, the owners have put up additional silt fences. They are in the process of completing the house addition and then will proceed to the landscaping and rainwater gardens. The Planning Commission requested that Oleson follow up with a timeline for completion to minimize the erosion impact in this area.
Commissioner Niskanen brought up the road “divider”, or center island, at the entrance to E. Golf Course Road. He considers it a potential safety hazard. He wondered how it was allowed and should something like this be prohibited in the future. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that this topic would be addressed at the zoning subcommittee. The subcommittee will ask the township engineer for his comments.
Old Business: None
Commissioner Hammerschmidt joined the meeting.
New Business:
The commission continued their discussion of possible zoning/subdivision ordinance amendments and timelines.
The first topic concerned rainwater gardens and other best management practices (BMP’s) when part of a required stormwater plan. A question arose regarding the use of rainwater gardens and their placement. Should they be in the right-of-way? Or should an easement be obtained and the rainwater garden be on private property? The commission was not in favor of placement in the right-of-way due to the need for utilities to operate in this area, etc.
Another area of concern, along with the placement, was the maintenance issue. Would landowners be prudent in maintaining these gardens? Would the gardens be as effective as a large retention pond in controlling run-off? Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that it would be easier to monitor and maintain one large pond. The commissioners concluded that the township should play a role in ongoing BMP maintenance with the help of the township residents.
Oleson asked if the township should develop a policy encouraging BMP’s. The consensus of the commission was that more research should be conducted in this area and given to the zoning subcommittee for discussion. They also felt that the township should consider instituting BMP’s in addition to large ponds. Commissioner Niskanen wanted the subcommittee to research what can be done with existing developments.
The next topic for discussion was common wells versus private wells versus public water supply. Should the township be encouraging more common wells? Is it prudent to punch so many holes in the aquifer? At present, the Minnesota Dept. of Health has suggested that there is not a significant concern about multiple individual wells as long as they are all installed correctly and to code. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that our ordinance already pushes a common well for PUD’s. The commission felt that common wells vs. private wells should be left as an option.
After debating the merits of the township’s becoming a public water supplier, the consensus of the commission was to not research this any further, feeling it would not be in the township’s best interest to pursue this matter.
The next discussion item was recycling facility regulations. Zoning Administrator Oleson said that our ordinance presently covers screening of junk material, but has nothing in place for recycling facilities. Should the township develop a separate ordinance to address recycling? Oleson listed language that could be included in a new ordinance as follows: a) limiting location by zoning district; b) limiting location on property; c) requiring licensure from county/township; d) requiring conditional use permits for existing or new facilities; e) monitoring the use of the facility and classifying materials; and f) requiring bonding to ensure safety and clean-up costs are covered.
The commission is interested in seeing a new ordinance established which utilizes the above language. They also wanted to ensure that any recycling facility be located in an Industrial zone only.
Commissioners Hammerschmidt and Feuling expressed concern over the work being done on W. Lake Jessie Road. Deputy Clerk Fulghum to relay those concerns to the town board and township engineer.
Adjournment:
Being no further business, Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this _______day of ________, 2008
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John B. Knowles, Chairman