ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of November 24, 2008
A regular meeting/public
hearing of the Planning Commission of Alexandria Township was held on the 24th
day of November, 2008 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, Township Zoning Administrator.
As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by
Chairman Knowles at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to
approve the agenda with the addition of Jack’s Recycling Center under Old
Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Feuling, seconded by Steidl, made a motion to
approve the minutes of the 10/27/08 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing:
Chairman Knowles opened the
public hearing regarding the conditional use application of Donald
Froemming. The purpose of this
application is to display/sell used vehicles.
Site address is 4353 State Highway 27E.
Both Mr. Froemming and the landowner, Gerald Krebs, were present.
Zoning Administrator Oleson
provided history on this parcel of land.
He stated that there have been two previous conditional use permits
approved by the county. The first was in
1985 to allow a commercial painting business and further discussion in 1986 to
allow autobody work; and the second in 1998 to allow semi-tractor/trailer
parking. The county had also scheduled
periodic reviews. Oleson stated that he
checked on the conditions applied to those permits and found them to be in
compliance.
Mr. Froemming told the
commission that he plans to start a used car lot. He currently has an autobody business
established at this address. He would
like to consolidate his used car business, which is currently in Carlos, and
his autobody business. He plans to have
no more than ten vehicles for display at any one time. Mr. Froemming also stated that he will not
need additional lighting nor signage, the only signage to be on the door and
building.
Chairman Knowles inquired as
to why the west screen fence was not installed as required by the conditional
use permit. Mr. Krebs stated that small
trees were planted on the west side by an adjacent landowner. The county
allowed trees on the east side. Trees were also planted on the south side.
Chairman Knowles asked about
the storage of materials behind the building.
Mr. Froemming stated that this is comprised of damaged parts that are
hauled out every two weeks or so.
Commissioner Feuling asked
Oleson if the conditions outlined for Mr. Froemming’s CUP reflect the
conditions that were set forth in the Hill CUP of 2007. Oleson affirmed that they are consistent.
Motion by Niskanen, seconded
by Hammerschmidt, to approve the conditional use application of Donald
Froemming and make a recommendation to the town board to approve with
conditions as set forth in the staff report, items nos. 1 – 4. Roll:
Niskanen, Steidl, Feuling, Hammerschmidt and Knowles – yes. None opposed.
Motion carried.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling,
made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting.
Meeting reconvened at 6:22 p.m.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: None
Old Business: Kathy Hodges of Jack’s Family Recycling Center was
present to discuss putting up temporary structures which would house e-waste
roll-offs. Her intent is to get the
roll-offs off the parking lot and under cover, thus making the area neater in
appearance. She is requesting permission
to erect six temporary structures.
Zoning Administrator Oleson
stated that the commission has two points to consider regarding the temporary
structures. Would they be regarded as
part of the screening plan, which is a condition of the former CUP, or as a
permanent building, thus requiring another CUP?
The consensus of the
commission was to recommend approval of the temporary structures under the
existing screening plan. They requested
that Ms. Hodges provide a diagram depicting placement of all six structures. Other requirements were continual maintenance
of these structures; that the remaining row of trees required by the original
landscaping plan be planted spring of 2009, and that these structures be
considered “temporary” until a new building can be constructed. This information to be forwarded to the town
board for consideration at their December 1st meeting.
New Business: None
Adjournment: Being no further business, Niskanen, seconded by Steidl,
made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting
adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
__________________________
Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk
Approved this _______day of
________, 2008
__________________________
John B. Knowles, Chairman