A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 30th day of May, 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 was Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk, Ben Oleson, Township Zoning Administrator, Dennis Conn, Applicant and Rod Eldevik. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Knowles at 6:30 p.m.
Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 05/14/07 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, to recess the meeting at 6:33 p.m. to open up the public hearing on the preliminary plat application/conditional use to allow a planned unit development by Dennis Conn and to reconvene at the end of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting recessed at 6:33 p.m.
Public Hearing:
Chairman Knowles gave opportunity to Mr. Conn to present his application before the commission. Mr. Conn stated that the preliminary plat, “East Gate”, is a planned unit development for storage units and currently consists of four lots, with additional acreage for later development. Mr. Conn answered questions by the commission and then Chairman Knowles opened the floor to the public for comment. Hearing none, Chairman Knowles closed the meeting to public comment and brought the issue back to the commission.
Motion by Feuling, seconded by Niskanen, to approve the application, with conditions, as outlined in the staff recommendation:
- No outdoor storage shall be allowed on the property.
- Pumping agreements shall be submitted at least annually with the Township Zoning
Administrator for the holding tank(s) on the property. Tanks must be pumped in accordance with all state and local requirements.
- No other commercial, industrial or other use allowed by the Zoning Ordinance, as may be amended from time to time, shall be permitted unless it meets all parking or other applicable state or local regulations. The Zoning Administrator shall review all proposed changes in use for compliance with this requirement.
- The applicant shall submit legal documentation to show how it is complying with Township PUD and subdivision regulations. In particular, the documentation must show how the required open space will be permanently protected and that all unit owners within the CIC plat have legal access to a public road. This documentation shall be reviewed by the Township Attorney for compliance and written comments provided to the Town Board.
- The applicant must meet all MN DoT requirements for turn lanes, passing lanes, or other improvements to Trunk Highway 27 that they may require.
- That the applicant submits documentation from the Fire Marshal that all state requirements are being met or exceeded, including fire detection devices, turn-around areas for emergency vehicles/apparatus, and or construction practices. Several of these issues are addressed by the Building Code and may be required if the Township ever adopts the Building Code in this area.
- That a 33-foot easement along the southerly boundary of the property be dedicated for a future public road, in order to contribute to area circulation as adjoining properties to the west and south are identified as appropriate for future commercial development and properties to the east and west are already developed with commercial uses.
- That the Stormwater Manangement Plan be reviewed and approved by the Township
Engineer and Zoning Administrator for compliance with the Township Stormwater
Management Ordinance.
- That the developer identify who will be responsible for both short and long term
maintenance of the stormwater facilities.
- That final construction plans in accordance with Section 6.5 of the Subdivision
Ordinance be submitted and approved prior to final plat approval.
- That all required road, stormwater and other improvements be installed prior to final plat approval or sufficient financial guarantee, as outlined in Section 3.9 of the Subdivision Ordinance, is provided to the County. Chairman Knowles called for a roll call vote: Hammerschmidt – no, Feuling – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Niskanen – yes. Motion carried.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to reconvene the meeting. Meeting reconvened at 7:26 p.m.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Oleson commented on the listing of permits issued.
Old Business:
Zoning Administrator Oleson went through some of the changes that the zoning subcommittee recommended, such as rather than having a transition district, the township extend the ALASD boundaries. Mr. Oleson indicated that a public hearing will be scheduled for June 25, 2007 to discuss the revised zoning map.
The interim Stormwater Ordinance is set to expire June 16, 2007. Since it will expire before a public hearing can be scheduled before the Planning Commission, Oleson stated that the town board will discuss an amendment to the interim subdivision ordinance at their next meeting on June 4, 2007. The amendment will insure there are no gaps between the existing ordinance and the adoption of a permanent stand-alone ordinance. The town board would then conduct a public hearing of the stormwater ordinance at their June 18, 2007 meeting.
Being no further business, Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 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