A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 26th day of October, 2015 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
Roll Call: Commission members present were Shad Steinbrecher, Larry Steidl, Mary Hacker 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: Dokken-McFann, seconded by Hacker, made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Steinbrecher, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 9/28/2015 meeting as written. Motion carried. Hacker abstained.
Public Hearing: none
Commissioner Dropik joined the meeting.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: none
New Business: Zoning Administrator Oleson, along with Commissioners Steinbrecher and Dokken-McFann, provided a recap on the symposium they attended on clean water hosted by the Soil & Water Conservation District. The symposium included a section on the new state law requirement for buffers on public waters. Items for consideration regarding future implementation of buffers in the township/county are as follows: a) education; b) clarity of rules and regulations; c) proper application; d) coordination of agencies; e) enforcement and f) providing information in the form of brochures, pamphlets, etc. The commission will review as more information is obtained.
Oleson reported we have received complaints about animals running at large in unplatted areas. Homeowners in the area have been encouraged to notify law enforcement when the animals become a nuisance, such as coming up out of the ditch onto the township road, in neighboring yards, etc. Some of the animals are large, such as llamas and donkeys and the township’s small animals ordinance would not pertain to them. The owner of these animals has chosen to not fence in his animals and thus they are free-roaming. Oleson stated there is a state law which stipulates it is unlawful to allow animals to run at large. The planning commission’s recommendation is to have the county attorney send a letter to the offending homeowner apprising them of the state law. Oleson to forward the recommendation to the town board.
Discussion on the comprehensive plan was tabled until the next meeting.
Old Business: none
Adjournment: Being no further business Steinbrecher, seconded by Dropik, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted…
___________________________________
Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ___________, 2015
___________________________________
Larry Steidl, Chairman