PLANNING & ZONING MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 21, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by chairman of the Planning Commission Larry Birnbaum. Present for the meeting were commission members Larry Birnbaum, Kathy Meyer, Biron Wipson and Steve Kossett, supervisors Jeff Bachke, Greg Andrews and John Werner, zoning administrator Marty Paavola, clerk Patti Alander, deputy clerk Cammy Hansen and resident Joetta Godden of 5086 Berglund Road.

A motion to approve the March 26, 2009 meeting minutes was made by Steve and seconded by Biron. All vote in favor, motion carried with minutes placed in file.

CORRESPONDENCE: The town has received the notification of the sentencing for Patricia Hansen. The court date is May 1, 2009.

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Joanne Shovein, 5503 Grouse Trail house fire: Marty spoke with Joanne last week. There is a fuel tank that is approximately half full that needs to be pumped out before the remains of the mobile home can be removed. She is working to have this completed by the end of May.

B. Lawrence & Cleone Boettcher, 5144 Olson Road: They have picked up their building permit application forms. Marty has spoken to them and they came to the agreement that the existing mobile home will be removed from the property. Larry said he has observed that this has begun.

C. Patricia Hansen: As reported above under “Correspondence”

BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:

A. Joetta Godden of Outskirts Village Mobile Home Park asked the commission what steps she needs to take in order to temporarily allow RV’s to park in her Park during the summer months. Marty told her that she would need to apply for a Conditional Use Permit as well as a state license. Joetta states that she already has the state license, but Marty wanted to check to see if the license allows for both mobile homes as well as RV’s; he believes her license is for a manufactured home park only. Joetta stated that she is looking to add RV’s to the park because of her high property taxes and the vacancies that are in the park. The county bases the taxes on the proposed income for the park instead of the actual income. The board asked if Joetta has spoken with the county about the taxes; she stated she has and they did not change the taxes. Marty stated that Joetta would need to apply for a new conditional use permit since this is a different proposed use of the property and would require a new public hearing.

Joetta also questioned the cost of the building permit for mobile homes that are placed in her park. She stated that the city of Duluth charges $50.00 per home. Marty explained that the cost of the permit that Rice Lake charges coincides with the state requirements of building inspections and is set to cover the costs of the inspections that Marty makes. Joetta disagrees and wonders why Rice Lake is different than other entities. Marty states that that is his interpretation of the building code. Patti explained the process for the application for a conditional use permit to Joetta and supplied her with an application.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Concern from Ward Heitala regarding the Jim Durfee property on Rice Lake Road: Mr. Heitala appeared in the hall last week to appeal his property taxes; at that time he also mentioned that he wasn’t sure when/if Mr. Durfee will need to comply with the conditions of the Conditional Use Permit which was issued a couple of years ago. The commission members reviewed the file and came to the decision that the town will contact Mr. Durfee to check the status of his proposed business operation and proceed as needed from there.

B. Larry asked about what issues may need to be addressed regarding Joetta Godden’s possible request for RV use in Outskirts Village. Patti mentioned that one issue would be how water and sewer would be monitored and the fact that the existing park is for 55 and older residents. Marty mentioned that he thinks a holding tank may need to be used. The commission will research the issue and review the existing ordinance further.

C. PROWEST GIS PRESENTATION: Cammy and Marty showed the commission members the zoning software that we are considering for use by the Town.

D. The commission members discussed beginning legal proceedings on the next property on the town’s list that is in violation of the zoning ordinance. Marty will review the previously prepared list and prioritize a new list for discussion at next month’s Planning and Zoning meeting.

A motion to amend Resolution 08-07-18, Exhibit A: Standard Specifications & Construction Requirements for Streets, Water, Storm Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Systems as updated by MSA Professional Services on April 20, 2009 was made by John Werner and seconded by Greg Andrews. All vote in favor, motion carried.

Having nothing further to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Biron and seconded by Steve. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________________ __________________________________________

Camille S. Hansen, Deputy Clerk Larry Birnbaum, Chairman

_____________________ _____________________

Date Date