ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of November 27, 2023
A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 27th day of November, 2023 at the Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconference.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Shad Steinbrecher, Larry Steidl, Linda Dokken-McFann and Julie Haar. Also present were Bonnie Fulghum, Administrative Assistant, and Ben Oleson, Township Zoning Administrator. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Steidl at 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: Steinbrecher, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Steinbrecher, seconded by Haar, made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2023 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Steidl recessed the meeting to open the public hearing on the conditional use request submitted by Mark Lindemann on behalf of Tech North. The property is located at the intersection of E. Lake Geneva Road NE and County Road 73.
Public Hearing: Mark Lindemann, 2105 E Lake Geneva Rd NE, stated he is requesting a conditional use permit for movement of dirt into an adjacent lot next to his homestead. He distributed maps compiled by his excavator depicting existing topography with waterflow and the proposed excavation area from the neighboring field (Ryley Blair) along with the future building site on the lot. He mentioned that water currently runs to the low spot on that lot and the ditch.
Commissioner Dokken-McFann asked for clarification on the location of the excavation site asked the purpose of the utility boxes located at the corner of the intersection. She also asked if Mr. Lindemann was planning on moving the building site further back onto the lot and thus not disturbing the low spot. He answered yes.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the CUP is required by ordinance since Mr. Lindemann is moving more than 50 cubic yards of material in a shoreland district (approximately 600-700 cubic yards has been requested). The purpose is to prepare the lot for future construction of a dwelling / garage. There is no existing culvert under the road or under the driveway at 2105 E. Lake Geneva Road. He noted there have been drainage issues to the south in the past. Oleson reported there the Douglas County Highway Department expressed no concerns. No erosion issues are anticipated, especially with the lot being a distance away from the lake. Agreements have been worked out with the neighbor, Ryley Blair, concerning the removal of dirt. Oleson reported the township received no comments from the public.
Chairman Steidl opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and resumed the meeting.
Dokken-McFann asked about the timeline for excavation.
Haar, seconded by Steinbrecher, made a motion to recommend approval of the conditional use request submitted by Tech North with the three conditions outlined in the staff recommendation, changing condition no. 2 to read: “that the applicant must use sufficient erosion control measures to ensure that erosion and sedimentation onto road rights-of-way or neighboring properties (or eventually Lake Geneva) does not occur while the soil is exposed to the elements; and adding condition no. 4 to read: “no fill may be placed within the road rights-of-way.” Roll: Haar – yes, Steinbrecher – yes, Dokken-McFann – yes, Steidl – yes, Fettig – yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: none
Old Business: none
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Commissioner Haar asked for follow up on storage containers located on Crestwood Drive. Oleson to make a site visit.
Adjournment: Being no further business Steinbrecher, seconded by Fettig, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
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Bonnie Fulghum, Administrative Assistant
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2023
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Larry Steidl, Chairman