Lakewood Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at 7:00 PM
Lakewood Town Hall
Present: Chair Wolfe, Inese Holte, Dick Bodine, Angie Dickison Palmer, Ann Cutts, Peter Miller, Robin Downs, Zoning Administrator Brennan Mears, and Recorder David Gerhart. Other citizens were present, including Supervisor Phil Halverson (see attached register).
Bob Wolfe reconvened the public hearing for the Lipe conditional use permit and thanked all members for their participation. This hearing had been recessed from October 23rd. He then asked for a motion to recess this hearing until November 13th at 7:00 PM. The motion was made by Holte and seconded by Miller. Carried unanimously.
Bob Wolfe then called to order the monthly meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was recited by all present.
All members present were voting members. Miller asked about progress on legal aspects of the Lipe hearing. Wolfe said that progress was being made.
Approval of minutes from previous meetings:
1) Ordinance change public hearing on July 24, 2007. Motion by Holte to approve the minutes, second by Cutts. Approved unanimously.
2) Monthly meeting of July 31, 2007. Motion by Palmer to approve the minutes, second by Bodine. Discussion: Holte suggested an amendment to add the words “from the expressway” to a sentence at the bottom of page 2, which would then read: “Greg Follmer has only temporary access to his LIU-10 property from the expressway. The minutes as amended were approved unanimously.
3) Monthly meeting of August 28, 2007. Motion by Miller to approve the minutes, second by Cutts. Approved unanimously.
The question of when to approve the minutes of the Lipe CUP hearings was discussed. There was some difference of opinion as to whether the minutes to date should be approved when the hearing is reconvened or whether the minutes should be approved after the hearing is completed. The Commission will decide this issue when the hearing is reconvened on November 13th.
Select representative to next Town Board of Supervisors meeting: Dick Bodine.
Zoning Administrator’s report: Mears said that 18 permits were issued since the last regular meeting and the Town is on track to issue about an average number of permits this year. Mears said that there is an issue with junk on a property on Elm Road. He also mentioned that a variance to Wendy Robertson had been granted and that an easement for a turnaround on Lauren Road is being granted to the Township. Tim Strom and Don Putnam are working on aspects of this easement. In addition, there is a 40-acre parcel off the end of Radtke Road that is apparently a non-conforming lot of record. A variance will be required to build, and there is also a question of whether access will be from Radtke or from Cant Road. Current zoning permits were circulated for Commission members to review. Wolfe asked about an auto repair and towing business (East End Auto Service, operated by Garrett Campbell on Maple Street), and Mears stated that a property has been purchased in Rice Lake Township so presumably the business will be moving. Mears said that as far as he knows, the business is in compliance with its CUP. Mears summarized the 42 permits issued to date that include 4 additions, 8 dwellings, 17 garages, 7 variances, and 1 sign permit. Including permits not finalized, he said that we are probably at about 50 permits for the year. This compares with 69 permits issued in 2003, 63 permits in ’04, and 62 permits in ’05 and ’06.
Report from Steering Committee for Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Steering committee report is expected to be completed by February, 2008.
Mears said that there must be a place on the agenda for public comment. Motion by Holte, second by Palmer, to reserve a place for public comment immediately after the Zoning Administrator’s report. In discussion, Cutts wanted the public comment later so that the Commission could accomplish its business. Motion carried 5-1 with Cutts opposing.
Public Comment: Greg Follmer, who owns land on the Highway 61 expressway, said he wants some resolution on the issue of commercial and industrial development in Lakewood. He believes that, based on the survey of residents, locally owned small businesses are the Town’s preference rather than industrial development. He said that time is crucial for him because he must make a decision on the disposition of his property. He is interested in having his property rezoned from Light Industrial to Commercial. He said that he has had a lot of interest from potential buyers of his land, including one large grocery/hardware store. He has sold 13 acres to Jeff Bruckelmeyer. The land is more valuable as a commercial property. There was some discussion of the rezoning process, but Commission members felt that any rezoning decisions must await the final report of the CLUP Steering Committee. Miller thought that the discussion of commercial vs. industrial development should be put on the agenda for the next Commission meeting, but added that the issue needs input from neighboring property owners. Wolfe agreed that this issue needs action. Follmer also requested that the Highway 61 issue be placed on the agenda for the next Commission meeting.
Tim Huchthausen, owner of Amish Furniture Haus, also would like to see the property on Highway 61 rezoned to commercial because he believes that other small businesses on the property would complement his business better than industrial development. Both Follmer and Huchthausen felt that there should be better coordination between the Town Board of Supervisors and the Planning and Zoning Commission. They also stressed that this is an opportunity to do something that is good for Lakewood.
Jerry Norick said that the original owners of the property on Highway 61 wanted industrial development and that it would be hard to find another area in Lakewood for light industry.
Phil Halverson stressed that the size of the development is important and that Lakewood residents have indicated that they don’t favor “big box” development. Wendy Robertson said that residents must understand the benefits vs. costs to the Township of commercial and industrial developments.
At this point Miller asked for a targeted end time for Commission meetings. Wolfe said that this time was 9:00 PM.
Unfinished Business:
Town Board meeting reports: Wolfe summarized relevant Town Board meeting activities for August 1, September 5, and October 3. Interested parties can access the minutes of these meetings on the Town’s web site.
Fill importation ordinance: Kurt Ketola of Lakewood Road has expressed interest in serving on a committee to address this issue. Mears expressed willingness to write a draft based on ordinances from other townships. Mears will also call people who have expressed interest in serving, and these individuals will be asked to attend the next Commission meeting on November 27. It was felt that there should also be a Commission member on this committee.
Signage ordinance language: Holte and Mears will present a proposal at the next Commission meeting.
Electronic (paperless) communications: Distribution of meeting minutes and agendas by email rather than in a mailed packet was discussed. Halverson cautioned that email by Commission members should not circulate to a quorum. Motion by Miller, second by Palmer, to initiate paperless communications. Discussion: Several members (Wolfe, Cutts, Roningen) will continue to receive mailed packets. Bodine wants to receive both for a few months. Members should send an email to townclerk@lakewoodmn.com to have their addresses placed on the electronic mail list. Minutes and agendas will be sent as attachments to an email. Meeting agendas will be printed for the public at meetings. The motion was approved 5-1 with Cutts opposed.
New business: Cell tower ordinance. This item awaits input from Halverson. Motion by Bodine, second by Cutts, to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting. It was pointed out that if an item is tabled, then there must be a motion to take the item off the table to consider it. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Holte to adjourn; second by Cutts. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
The next regular Commission meeting is November 27, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
David Gerhart