A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 24th day of September, 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 and Chuck Marohn, acting as Township Zoning Administrator. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Knowles at 6:30 p.m.
Agenda: Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of Jack’s Recycling under “New Business”. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve Minutes: Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 27, 2007 meeting as written. Motion carried, with Niskanen abstaining.
Motion by Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, to recess the meeting at 6:35 p.m. to open up the public hearing on the Martin Gay Conditional Use Permit and to reconvene at the end of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting recessed at 6:35 p.m.
Public Hearing:
Chairman Knowles stated that the conditional use permit that the commission would be reviewing was for the movement of more than ten (10) cubic yards of material within a shore impact zone. He then asked Mr. and Mrs. Gay to give a brief overview to the commission. During a storm earlier this summer, a few trees had been uprooted in the shoreline area with exposed root systems. Mr. Gay wishes to remove these trees, level stumps and grade an earth mound. The commission reviewed pictures provided by Mr. Gay.
Chairman Knowles opened the meeting for public comment. George Kolstad, 2214 Lk Victoria, presented another picture to the commission that he had taken and generally was in support of the Gays’ efforts.
The public comment portion was then closed and the meeting brought back to the commission for discussion. Zoning Administrator Marohn was asked to elaborate on the staff findings and conditions set forth in the Staff Report.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the conditional use permit with the four conditions as outlined on page 12 of the Staff Report, which are listed below:
- That the applicant installs silt fence as necessary to prevent erosion during the grading work. The silt fences must be installed in accordance with best management practices (including that they be buried into the ground at least 4-6 inches and backfilled on the upslope side) prior to beginning any earthwork. These may be removed only after vegetation has been reestablished on all exposed area or these areas have otherwise been stabilized.
- That the applicant stabilizes all exposed soil within seven days of completion of the grading work and re-establishes vegetation on all exposed areas within 45 days.
- That the applicant obtains the required shoreland alteration permit, and provides all
necessary information, prior to beginning any grading work.
- That the existing functionality of the drainageway along the south side of the lot is
maintained.
Roll: Niskanen – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Feuling – yes, Hammerschmidt – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Steidl, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to reconvene the regular commission meeting. Meeting reconvened at 7:18 p.m.
New Business:
Hammerschmidt requested that the commission discuss Jack’s Recycling, with regard to permits; i.e. was one issued, how was it written, etc. The commission tabled discussion until the next meeting, opting to have Zoning Administrator Marohn research the issue, establishing whether an MPCA permit was issued, the conditions of the CUP, etc.
Old Business: None
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
The commission requested clarification with regard to the after-the-fact fee charged to the Geneva Estates Townhome Association and an enforcement letter sent to a resident.
Adjournment:
Being no further business, Feuling, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. 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