Maine Prairie Township
Planning & Zoning Meeting
May 13, 2008
Chair Loewen opened the Planning meeting at 7:05 p.m. He called for any
changes or additions to the
Minutes of April 8, 2008. With a couple wording changes Supervisor
Wicker/Chuck Froehling made a motion to accept the corrected minutes. Motion
carried.
A letter was received from the county environmental services concerning “The Preserve”. The county planning commission is requiring changes in their road. Chair Loewen will check into it.
Scott Urdahl came before the board concerning the “Lake Louisa Hills 2nd addition”. Because of the township minutes we presented to the county of the April meeting, it was decided to make changes before presenting it to the county planning commission. The changes were to move the purposed stub out road through the Rice property. Supervisor Loewen did speak with the Tim & Lori Rice and they are fine with the design. Supervisor Unterberger thought it made more sense they stay away from the Kimball City ponds and yet not come out on the corner but down further on Co Rd 44. Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion to accept this road plan. Motion carried. The papers were signed for the County Planning Commission.
With no Old Business Chair Loewen called for New Business.
Andy Hildger came before the board to present information about putting a radio tower up on 40 acres owned by Alvin Fischer on Co Rd 147. Tower Manager/Attorney, Roger Neil and Engineer, George Weral was also present. Hildger explained that since the county doesn’t have any ordinances concerning radio towers. Don Adams, Stearns Co Environmental services will be checking into what they would need to do. Hildger is looking at putting up 7 towers 200’ high. The land is now irrigated ag land and if it would become tower land it could not be used for tillable land, but could be grazed. There will be guide wires and the studios would be in Rockville and St Cloud on Lincoln Ave. It will be for Christian/Catholic radio with a potential 826,000 listeners. They are looking at 50,000 Kilowatts which is like WCCO and WDGY. Fischer was asked if he would be leasing or selling the property. Fischer said he would sell the property. The concern was for losing good irrigated agricultural land. Other concerns: will it be an eye sore, will the township loose revenue because it could possibly be tax exempt, and will it affect other radio reception. Supervisor Unterberger could not understand why the county would issue the CUP (conditional use permit) because the township usually has a hearing to do that. Neil explained that it would be up to Hildger to meet FCC statue and make sure that other stations are not affected. It was suggested that the board meet with Adams and our attorney at the County concerning CUP. Hildger said they are on the planning commission agenda for May 15th. Loewen explained he didn’t see their name on the agenda for that night.
Bill Thell came before the board requesting a signature on his building
site permit for adding a patio onto his house. Since it is within lakeshore,
the county issued the site permit. Clerk Harff presented a letter concerning
the county not requiring the township sign on these types of site permits.
Supervisor Unterberger said that we never agreed to our townships
participation with their procedure. Clerk Harff felt that we need to put
that in writing and make sure the county knows where Maine Prairie stands
concerning this issue. Chuck Froehling did sign the permit.
Clerk Harff received a letter from Anne Nelson, Stearns Co Environmental
Services concerning Josh Stanley’s Provisional Use Permit. He no longer is
in the trucking business; Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to rescind
his provisional use permit. Deputy Clerk Adolph stated that Tim Erickson
widened the driveway when he owned the land. She didn’t understand why
Sanley would have to have it altered.
Chuck was asked if he had a permit from Jerry Spoden. Spoden is putting in dormers on his house. Ron Albers said he would contact him. Supervisor Wicker said that he might have told Spoden that a permit was not needed.
Bernie Gregory is putting in concrete curbing on E Shore Dr. Concern was that it might be hit with the snow plow because it is not far off from the road. John Wicker will notify him and Clerk Harff will send a letter stating the curbing is a liability. Also a permit would have been needed to cement.
Supervisor Loewen talked with Tim Rice about a permit being needed for cementing his driveway. He explained that a fine would follow if he doesn’t get his permit before he starts the work.
Permit presented to the board: Permit# Receipt# Amount
Eric Kalkbrenner New Home MP08-03 074532 $930.00
Bruce Mancini Replace windows & cabinets #604 074533 30.00
Clarence Ek Replace window & door #605 074534 30.00
David Leither 26’X40’ Pole Shed #606 074535 30.00
Supervisors Wicker/Chuck Froehling made a motion to approve the permits. Motion carried.
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to adjourn the Planning and
Zoning meeting. Motion carried.
Terre Harff, Maine Prairie Township, Clerk/Treasurer