JUNE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 16, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Larry Birnbaum.  Present for the meeting were chairman Birnbaum, commission members Kathy Meyer, Herb Dallum, Steve Kossett,  and Bob Whitmyer, supervisors Jeff Bachke, John Werner and Greg Andrews;  clerk Patti Alander, and deputy clerk Cammy Hansen and zoning administrator Marty Paavola. Commission member Biron Wipson was absent.

A motion to approve the May 19, 2009 Planning and Zoning meeting minutes as presented was made by Steve with a second by Bob.  All vote in favor; motion carried with minutes placed in file.

A motion to approve the May 19, 2009 Conditional Use Permit public hearing minutes for AT&T Mobility as presented was made by Kathy and seconded by Bob.  All vote in favor; motion carried with minutes placed in file.

A motion to approve the May 28, 2009 Conditional Use Permit public hearing minutes for Outskirts Enterprises as presented was made by Bob and seconded by Steve.  All vote in favor; motion carried with minutes placed in file.

CORRESPONDENCE: 

1.        An email was received from a resident on the Stockholm Road regarding the property at 4191 and 4195 Stockholm Road.  The resident asked that the Planning & Zoning commission please address these properties in regard to the Town’s junk ordinance.  4191 has been issued previous letters from Marty regarding violation of the Town’s junk ordinance.  A discussion on how to proceed ensued.  Also incorporated into this discussion were items on the agenda under “Old Business:” the properties at 4193 W. Calvary Rd., 4766 Rice Lake Rd. and 5038 Woodland Ave.  4193 and 4766 are both in need of attention; 5038 was sent a letter in May and has made a lot of progress cleaning up the property.  Recently the town has taken a separate case to court which resulted only in a $100.00 fine with no requirement for curing the junk problem.  The commission is concerned that the court seemingly provides no consequence of any significance.  Cammy will contact the town’s attorney to inquire as to our possible remedies and will report back to the commission.  Marty also recommends that a procedure be put in place regarding how junk complaints/violations will be handled.

OLD BUSINESS:

1.        Condemned building list addressed above

2.       Patricia Hanson sentencing:  The judge imposed a $100.00 fine to be paid within one year and provided no remedy for the clean- up of the property.

NEW BUSINESS:

1.        Firearms ordinance/request for special bow hunt in Rice Lake Township:  Patti informed the commission that the board is considering revising our firearms ordinance to include language allowing a deer hunt by bow and arrow in the town.  Cammy is currently researching other similar ordinances of municipalities in the area and will prepare a draft of a proposed new ordinance for review by the commission as well as the board.  The general consensus of the commission is in support of a bow hunt

2.       A View From the Lake tour:  Patti gave information to commission members regarding an informational tour on Lake Superior sponsored by the University of Minnesota.  The tour is free to Planning & Zoning commission members.  Interested members should let Patti know so she can register them.

3.       A motion to approve Resolution 09-06-21 allowing Island Lake Inn, Inc. d/b/a Fall Inn Tavern to serve intoxicating liquor outside of its designated serving area on the night of August 7, 2009 was made by John and seconded by Greg.  All vote in favor; motion carried.  The board notes that if any complaints are received, it may be grounds for not allowing the outdoor event in the future.

4.        Receipt of complaints via email:  The commission discussed whether or not to consider emails as an official complaint (in lieu of the form we now require be written and signed.)  The commission decided that it would be best if we prepare an official complaint document that can be downloaded from our website that a resident can complete online.  Cammy will work on getting this set up.  There was discussion on possibly setting up a confidentiality notice on our website and also on email correspondence from the town.  Patti stated that once the town receives an official complaint from a resident, the town becomes the official complainant.

5.       Jeff asked the members who attended the recent Planning and Zoning video conference about their opinion of the training.  Steve thought it was good and would like to take the next more advanced class.  Cammy mentioned that she learned at the training that the ultimate authority on Planning &Zoning decisions rests with the board.  Patti stated that, per our ordinance, the Planning & Zoning Commission makes the final decision; David Oberstar has recommended that the Town change that.  Greg stated that the Open Meeting law was also discussed and that it is important that the commission does not discuss upcoming business unless it is posted as required by law. 

6.       The next scheduled meeting date is Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Having no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.