A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 24th day of June, 2013 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Julie Haar, Mary Hacker, Larry Steidl and Linda Dokken-McFann. 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 Hacker, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Haar, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 05/29/2013 regular meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dokken-McFann, seconded by Hacker, made a motion to approve the minutes from the 06/19/2013 site visit as written. Motion carried. Haar abstained.
Commissioner Bill Dropik, Jr. joined the meeting.
Chairman Steidl recessed the regular meeting to open the public hearing.
Public Hearing: Interim use permit request to allow limited temporary outdoor storage and/or display for sale of used dwellings, boats, boat lifts, trailers, vehicles or other similar items. The property is vacant land comprising 7.25 acres, zoned Commercial – Urban (CU) and is located immediately south of 3608 State Highway 29 North.
The applicant Bob Noyes, representing BLL Properties, LLC, stated that their property along State Highway 29 North has been for sale for quite some time. They received a request from a moving company (Anderson Moving) to display home(s) for sale on the property. It is anticipated the homes would be displayed on a short-term basis. It represents an opportunity for BLL Properties to offset expenses while they await a buyer for the property. In addition, they would also like to display personally owned items, such as boat lifts, boats, docks, vehicles, etc. that are for sale.
Commissioner Haar requested the applicant identify the property lines, access areas and the proposed location(s) of display areas on a map provided by the zoning administrator.
Chairman Steidl asked if the approach would be adequate for moving homes and/or boats onto the property and the applicant responded affirmatively. Mr. Noyes stated that MnDOT would exempt them from needing a turn lane for the use represented above. If the property were to be developed for a commercial use, however, a turn lane would be mandated.
Commissioner Hacker asked Mr. Noyes how they plan to maintain the property and specifically if they intend to trim around the house(s) and other display items. He responded that they have every intention of keeping up a neat appearance by mowing and spraying the property.
The applicant stated that they have received no complaints about having items for sale on their property.
The applicant contested the proposed first condition of no more than four items displayed for sale and of those four, no more than two can be homes. He wanted less restrictions since the property encompasses 7.25 acres.
Zoning Administrator Oleson said that under the zoning ordinance, the “use” would fall under the interim use category with a stipulated timeframe as opposed to a conditional use. Generally speaking, outdoor storage is to be screened; however, this is different in that it is “for sale” and thus needs to be seen. The guidelines would be to keep the place neat and to consider the number of items to be allowed for display. Oleson spoke with MnDOT and they stated they will issue a letter waiving the turn lane mandate due to the limited scope for use of the property and that there would be ten items or less for display/storage. The applicant will submit a copy of the letter he sent to MnDOT requesting the waiver. MnDOT had no problem with up to ten display items
Chairman Steidl asked how many houses the applicant wished to display at any given time. The applicant said three. Chairman Steidl then asked how much frontage the property had and the applicant responded 900+ feet.
Commissioner Dokken-McFann summarized that the applicant was looking to display up to three houses and an additional four items in the wooded area. The applicant agreed.
Seeing as how no public was present for comment, Chairman Steidl closed the public hearing and reconvened the meeting.
Motion by Dokken-McFann, seconded by Hacker, to recommend approval of the Interim Use Permit for BLL Properties, LLC with the seven conditions outlined in the staff report, amending conditions nos. 1, 2 and 6 as follows: Condition No. 1 to read: “ that the applicant be limited to no more than ten (10) items displayed for sale on site at any one time. Of these ten, no more than three homes or buildings, in average condition, be greater than 200 sq ft in size.” Condition No. 2 to read: “ that any items to be stored (not displayed for sale) in addition to those mentioned in no. 1 above, shall be placed….” Condition No. 6 to have a sentence at the end to read: “Applicant will procure the letter from MnDOT waiving the turn lane requirement.” Roll: Dropik – yes, Hacker – yes, Dokken-McFann – yes, Haar – yes, Steidl – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the town board noted at their last meeting that Jack’s Family Recycling Center had made some progress in their clean up efforts. They asked the owner to attend their July 1st meeting.
New Business: Oleson provided a copy of the county’s sign ordinance, which was approved at their June 11th meeting. Consensus to have Oleson draft a sign ordinance which would include a “side-by-side comparison” for the next meeting.
Old Business: Consensus to table discussion on temporary fences as well as the training and discussion for comprehensive plans.
Adjournment: Being no further business Dokken-McFann, seconded by Haar, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2013
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