Maine Prairie Township
Planning & Zoning Meeting
June 10, 2008
Chair Loewen opened the Planning meeting at 7:05 p.m. He called for any changes or additions to the Minutes of May 13, 2008. Supervisor Unterberger asked for a correction to an AM Radio antenna which requires seven antennas rather than radio tower, and the antenna was only 197’ high not 200’. If it would have been 200’ high it would require lights. A change also in Bill Thell’s site permit, it was for building an enclosed 3 seasonal porch on an existing slab. Supervisor Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to accept the corrected minutes. Motion carried.
Chair Loewen called for old business:
Radio antenna: It is up to Stearns Co Planning and Zoning to make a decision after the new ordinance is written to make the antenna acceptable if that is what they choose. Supervisor Loewen was in attendance at the planning meeting when the issue was addressed there and thought there is some concern about the height of the antenna and use of Ag land some of the same concerns that were addressed at the township meeting. The feeling was the only say the township would have is at a public hearing, a request was to hold the public hearing at Kimball. There was discussion the township had no time to put anything in the MOU to make our ordinance stricter than the county if that is what the township wishes to do. Deputy Clerk Adolph said that when the other towers were built in the township we had the hearing.
Deer Run-“The Preserve”: Planning Commission meeting is June 16th at 6:00 p.m. Ron Albers said that he got one permit for one of the houses and will be getting another one for a different house. They have started building already so there is question what the county is meeting about.
Bernie Gregory: There was a question whether he really needs a permit for the cement curbing. Discussion was a permit is required for the assessors to assess the improvements and the township uses the permit to know of improvements. Supervisor Wicker feels that permitting is unnecessarily excessive. All agreed the curbing looked nice but felt that a permit should be required. The board felt it should be discussed and more descriptive as to when a permit is required. Talking with the assessors as to what type of improvements is considered taxable. The curbing was put in the road right of way so discussion was if he would have gotten a permit, it would have been explained to him that he could not put anything in the right of way. Supervisor Unterberger/Chuck Froehling made a motion to require a permit for the cementing. Supervisor Wicker voted Nay. Motion carried.
Tim Rice: Supervisor Loewen said that his cement was put in previously so no letter needs to be sent.
Gerald Spoden: Supervisor Unterberger asked if Spoden had gotten a permit. Ron Albers said that he had gotten the proper permit for the dormers on his house.
Chair Loewen called for old business with none he called for new
business.
Beverly Adolph explained they needed a certificate of compliance to
subdivide their 15 acres. Their other son already has a 5 acre parcel. The
county will require them to restrict the back 20 acres. They have a total of
40 acres all together. They had been to the county and no public hearing is
required, they just need a certificate of compliance from the township.
Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to accept the Certificate of
Compliance. Motion carried. Adolph explained they need to clear all the
paperwork so their son could build a shed. She felt it should be considered
a farm shed but it was not really going to be used for farm purposes and is
in R5 zoning. R5 zoning only allows 12’ side walls and they want 16’ side
walls. A variance hearing is set for the July 8th meeting.
Dennis Libbesmeier: Kevin Libbesmeier is using an approach on Dennis’s land. The land has been surveyed. This is requiring Kevin to drive over Dennis’s land to get to his property. Dennis would like to have the approach removed because he has another approach to get onto his land. Kevin will need to put in a new approach to get to his property. It was suggested to table it for July agenda until it can be looked into further.
With no other new business, permits were called for.
A permit for renewal of Knife River Gravel Pit came through. That was denied until Chair Loewen could check into if further. Clerk Harff gave the original permit issued paperwork to Chair Loewen.
It was suggested to put the MOU on the July agenda.
Permit presented to the board: Permit# Receipt# Amount
Bob & Bev Adolph Cert. of Compliance #609 074540 $ 30.00
Bob & Bev Adolph Variance Hearing 074541 150.00
The Joseph Preserve New Home MP08-04 074542 1,075.00
William Thell Enclose Patio to 3 season porch MP08-05 074543 130.00
Gerald Spoden Dormers added to upstairs MP08-06 074544 130.00
Supervisors Wicker/Unterberger made a motion to approve the permits with the exception of Knife River Permit. Motion carried. Knife River will be tabled until July meeting.
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to adjourn the Planning and
Zoning meeting. Motion carried.
Terre Harff, Maine Prairie Township, Clerk/Treasurer