ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of April 23, 2007

 

A regular meeting/public hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 23rd day of April, 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 Ben Oleson, Zoning Administrator.  As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Knowles at 6:30 p.m.

 

Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 26, 2007 meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Motion by Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, to recess the meeting at 6:35 p.m. to open up the public hearing on the conditional use application of Harry and Pat May and to reconvene at the end of the public hearing.  Motion carried unanimously.  Meeting recessed at 6:35 p.m.

 

Chairman Knowles entertained discussion on the conditional use permit for shoreland alteration.  Mr. May fielded questions from the commission and then Chairman Knowles asked the public for comment.  Hearing none, Chairman Knowles closed the meeting to public comment and brought the issue back to the commission.

 

Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the conditional use permit with conditions as outlined in staff recommendations 1 – 5, as follows: 

1. That the applicant installs bio-logs, rock checks or other similar BMPs in the existing swale on the north/west side of the lot to slow down stormwater and settle out any silts that may wash in this area during construction. These may be removed after vegetation has been re-established on all exposed area.

2. That the applicant installs silt fence near the shoreline (except in the area of the existing drainage way) and between the exposed soil and the road ditch to allow settling of silts that may wash down these areas. These 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 after vegetation has been re-established on all exposed area.

3. 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.

4. That the applicant obtains the required shoreland alteration permit, and provides all

necessary information, prior to beginning any grading work.

5. That the grading work does not result in an appreciable increase in runoff to neighboring properties. Applicant is encouraged to create a small infiltration area(s), such as a rainwater garden, to allow infiltration of water prior to entering the road ditch, neighboring properties and the lake.

 

Roll Call:  Hammerschmidt – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Feuling – yes, Niskanen – yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Chairman Knowles entertained discussion on the proposed adult use ordinance.  He then asked the public for comment.  Hearing none, Chairman Knowles closed the meeting to public comment and brought the issue back to the commission.

 

Niskanen, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to recommend approval of the Adult Use Ordinance to the town board, so long as it is clarified that no intoxicating beverages are allowed.  Roll call:  Niskanen – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Feuling – yes, Hammerschmidt – yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

The commission discussed the proposed ordinance amendments regarding mutli-family and non-residential planned unit developments (PUDs).  Chairman Knowles asked the public for comment.  Hearing none, Chairman Knowles closed the meeting to public comment and brought the issue back to the commission.

 

Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed changes to the ordinance for shoreland development; namely, multi-family and non-residential PUDs.  Roll call:  Niskanen – yes, Steidl – yes, Knowles – yes, Feuling – yes, Hammerschmidt – yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Steidl, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to reconvene the meeting.  Meeting reconvened at 7:10 p.m.

 

Zoning Administrator’s Report

Oleson went over the timeline for forwarding of ordinances to the town board.  Wrap up expected this summer, around June or July.

 

New Business

Zoning Administrator Oleson distributed a draft of the zoning map and zoning district ordinance amendments. Oleson to suggest the following options to the town board: 1) to have the planning commission hold a special meeting on this issue; or 2) to have a public hearing at the May planning commission meeting.  He will also recommend the following: 1) that a news item be published in addition to the public notice; and 2) that a fact sheet be available on CGI’s website as well as at the township office.

 

Being no further business, Steidl, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted….

                                                                                    __________________________

                                                                                      Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk

Approved this _______day of ________, 2007

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        __________________________

                                                                                       John B. Knowles, Chairman