A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 27th day of May, 2009 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 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: Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of Jack’s Family Recycling Center under Old Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/22/09 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing: Chairman Knowles opened the public hearing on the tabled preliminary plat of Quitmeyer Addition, tabled at the April 22, 2009 planning commission meeting. Motion by Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, to open the tabled Quitmeyer Addition preliminary plat. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the applicant had revised his plat. The new plat seeks to subdivide Outlot (E) of “Golden Gate” into one residential lot (which has an existing dwelling) and a remainder, which would remain an Outlot of “Golden Gate”. The “residential” lot is currently accessed via a private driveway extending from Golden Gate Avenue. The applicant is proposing to dedicate a 160-foot strip of land encompassing this driveway as public right-of-way. Since the roadway would not be built up at this time, it would remain a private road.
Chairman Knowles opened the meeting to the public for comment. Brad Nyberg of Nyberg Surveying questioned condition no. 2 of the staff recommendation regarding the installation of a permanent stormwater best management practice (BMP) on the site. He asked why this was necessary on an existing lot? Zoning Administrator Oleson responded that the BMP was recommended due to the historic water issues in the area and the high water table.
Chairman Knowles closed the public comment portion of the meeting and brought discussion back to the commission.
The commission inquired as to what the trigger would be to determine when the road would be developed? Oleson stated it would be built/improved once Outlot E (the remainder) is developed. The commission instructed Oleson to have the zoning subcommittee research the issue, using this application as a “test case”.
Motion by Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, to recommend to the township board approval of the preliminary plat application of Quitmeyer Addition with the inclusion of condition no. 2 of the staff report. Roll: Hammerschmidt, Feuling, Niskanen, Steidl, Knowles – yes. Opposed: none.
Chairman Knowles closed the public hearing and opened the regular meeting.
New Business: Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that he had been approached by an individual regarding the moving of an existing auto body/auto repair shop from Alexandria to the township’s Rural Residential district. The property he is considering purchasing is located on Airway Lane. The “potential applicant” was seeking to have the auto body/auto repair business be allowed under the “home occupation” classification. He also proposed erecting a large shed (50 x 100) to be used as a shop for working on automobiles. Oleson said no application has yet been made; however, he had invited the landowner and potential applicant to the meeting to have an informal discussion with the commission.
Oleson explained that the lot on Airway Lane is approximately 1.8 acres. Most lots in this development are under 2.5 acres and residential in nature. Currently there are no businesses operating in this development.
The commission asked the applicant if his intent was to live on the premises. The applicant stated that his plans would be to build a home as well as the shop.
Commissioner Feuling asked if the township should require 10-acre minimums, for example, for these types of businesses located in a residential zone.
Zoning Administrator Oleson brought up the topic of an interim use permit. The Zoning Subcommittee has been researching the interim use permit for implementation in situations like this; i.e. allowing businesses in rural zoning districts. He stated that this type of permit is similar to a Conditional Use permit, except it would allow for the township to impose a time limit on the use.
Oleson polled the commissioners regarding their thoughts on a) allowing this type of business to be classified as a “home occupation” in the RR district; and b) the possibility of incorporating an interim use permit for these situations. The general consensus of the commission was that they had reservations about allowing the location of a business, especially a prohibited one, in a residential area. They requested that the zoning subcommittee further research both the home occupation classification and the interim use permit and present recommendations to the planning commission.
Old Business: Commissioners Feuling and Hammerschmidt expressed concern over the expansion/sprawl of Jack’s Family Recycling Center. They commented that the fencing is down in areas (lack of screening) and that there appears to be encroachment onto property to the west.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that he had sent a letter to the owner regarding the encroachment issue. He also stated that one of the conditions of the Conditional Use permit is that a second row of trees be installed by the second week of June (for screening purposes).
The commission directed Oleson to conduct another inspection of the premises to address the aforesaid issues. They also asked him to discuss with the owner the possibility of installing a gate to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the property and “dumping” recyclables.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: The commission discussed a property on Shadow Lane. The house and property is falling into disrepair and there have been numerous complaints from landowners in the area spanning many years. Oleson stated that he has been in communication with the building inspector’s office. The only enforcement would be the condemnation process citing the house/property as a public safety issue. The planning commission directed Oleson to recommend to the town board that the township attorney be consulted on pursuing an appropriate course of action.
Adjournment: Being no further business Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
___________________________________
Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2009
___________________________________
John B. Knowles, Chairman