OCTOBER PLANNING & ZONING MEETING

OCTOBER 20, 2009

The meeting was called to order by chairman Larry Birnbaum at 7:00 pm.  Present for the meeting were chairman Birnbaum, commission members Kathy Meyer, Biron Wipson, Herb Dallum and Steve Kossett, supervisors Jeff Bachke and Greg Andrews, building/zoning official Marty Paavola, clerk Patti Alander and deputy clerk Cammy Hansen.

A motion to approve the September 10^th Richard Kobus public hearing rezone minutes was made by Biron with a second by Steve.  Motion carried with minutes placed on file. 

A motion to approve the September 22^nd commission meeting minutes with one correction to the year under item B was made by Kathy with a second by Biron.  Motion carried with minutes placed on file.

Correspondence.  Marty gave a copy of the letter he sent to Greg Schmaedeke regarding the outside storage of material on the property located at the intersection of the Arnold/Kolstad and East Calvary Road.   This is a property with a vacant structure and is currently not in use.  Outside storage is not a use allowed in the Limited Industrial Use (LIU) district the property is zone as.  Mr. Schmaedeke responded to the letter and feels he can store the material at the site. 

Old Business. 

1.       Universal Properties.  The variances for this property were approved at the September 29^th public hearing.

2.       Richard Kobus/West Calvary Road rezone.  The rezone of the properties on West Calvary Road between Drake and Stavanger Road was recommended for approval on October 14, 2009.  The Board of Supervisors will act on this recommendation at the November board meeting.

3.       Gary Grew variance update.  This variance request was denied by the Board of Adjustment in 2008, appealed by Mr. Grew with a trial, judge overturned the Board of Adjustments decision.  The Town Board is appealing at the next level.  The matter is in the hands of MN Association of Township’s Insurance Trust attorneys and will be reviewed and decided by anpanel of judges.

4.       4276 Gothenberg Road fire update.   The Town adopted an ordinance establishing a fire escrow account.  This account protects the town from having to clean up properties that are destroyed by fire.  This is the first claim issued to an insurance company affected by this escrow account.  We have heard from the insurance company and have drafted an affidavit for them.  The town should be receiving the funds shortly. 

5.       Brian Fulda 4202 Willard Road.  Marty received a phone call from Mr. Fulda.  He will be moving the structure back from the road right of way.  Some of the vehicles have been removed from the property.  The clean up process has begun.

6.       Judi Walters 4193 West Calvary Road.  The letter stating she is in violation of the Town’s Ordinance #22.  She is operating a junk/salvage yard in a Residential zone district.  Ms. Walters agreed to clean this up in 2008 however never did it.  A Motion was made by Kathy with a second by Biron recommending to the Board of supervisors to take the next step in the process to correct this violation of the ordinance.  Motion carried.  The next step is to issue a citation to Ms. Walters.   Jeff stated since the board of supervisors is present they will take action on this recommendation tonight.  A motion was made by John Goman  with a second by Greg Andrews to issue a citation on this property.   Motion carried.  A citation will be issued to Ms. Walters.

New Business.

1.       Just a reminder that there will be a public hearing on October 22nd to consider the application of Minnesota Tower on the Arnold Road location.  We have received significant changes to this tower and the existing Conditional Use Permit on this property.   Minnesota Tower has changed the type of tower, the tower height and the location of the tower, therefore needing a new application.

2.       Biron brought a copy of a Nuisance ordinance that has been adopted by Bemidji Township for the commission members to review.  Cammy will ask the town’s attorney to review the ordinance and see if this is something the town can use and how will it be enforced.  Ask for a response from him by the November meeting.

3.       The Board of Supervisors have decided to change the meeting time in 2010 to 6:00 pm.  In 2010 Planning & Zoning meetings will be at 6:00 pm. 

4.       Reminder the November meeting is November 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Having nothing further to discuss a motion to adjourn was made by Steve with a second by Biron.  Motion carried meeting adjourned.