Princeton Township, Minnesota
Planning Commission Minutes
On April 3rd, 2006, at 7:30 pm the Regular Monthly Panning Commission Meeting
was called to order by Chairperson Eric Minks. Other members present were
John Roxbury, Jr., Carl Sanford, Tom Braun, Larry Ziebarth, and John Moosbrugger.
Planning Commission member Greg McBroom was absent.
A motion was made by Tom Braun, and seconded by Larry Ziebarth to approve
the minutes of March 6, 2006 as printed. Motion Carried.
The next item up for business was to discuss the Lundberg property. John
Roxbury, Jr. motioned to recommend to the Town Board the approval of the
land split without a survey. Larry Ziebarth seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
The next item up for business was the simple plat discussion. John Roxbury,
Jr. indicated that if residents needed to get a survey done, where estimates
have been as much as $30,000, for a simple procedure, they were not going
to be very happy. He also indicated that it may be something that the Planning
Commission should take a serious look at before they require everyone to
have a survey, especially on the larger parcels.
Eric Minks indicated whether the Planning Commission should first decide
on where to require a simple plat. John Roxbury, Jr. indicated that the place
to start it, would be in the R1 area, and there only, and then work their
way from there. Loren indicated that there would probably be more lot splits
than anything else in that zoning district. John Roxbury, Jr. motioned to
recommend that the Township require a simple plat in the R1 district only.
Tom Braun seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Eric Minks indicated that they needed to figure out what they wanted the
simple plat to entail. Todd McLouth said that he had done up a sample of
simple plats and metes and bounds, which talked about no more than 3 lots
or less, and about no new roads. Todd McLouth indicated that anything over
20 acres would still require metes and bounds. He also indicated that the
procedures would need to meet the new ordinances.
John Moosbrugger indicated that the Township already has a metes and bounds
provision in the ordinance, and asked Todd McLouth if he was suggesting that
they replace that one, with the one Todd drew up. Todd McLouth indicated
that it would be only to the effect that they would have to have a certificate
of survey. He indicated that the draft he wrote up basically covers all,
that it's not just part of the simple plat. He just wanted to cover both
bases. He also indicated that the requirement of the survey would be to prevent
gaps and overlaps. He said that there have been splits in the past where
the Township did not get permanent easements, because they were not asked
for. Todd McLouth explained that the reason Loren Kohnen and he thought about
the simple plat process was to secure permanent road easement, and easement
areas, like drainage easements and wetlands. The only way to get those easements,
is to have a simple plat. He indicated that the township is not getting them
on sketch and descriptions for these lot splits. He thought that for the
lot splits, the applicants could just do a simple plat, because they've already
got a certificate of survey, and then they would be done. Todd McLouth also
indicated that there are still parcels out there that can be split with metes
and bounds, and that is if they are doing three or less lots, and they are
all 20 acres or more. He also said that he would ask for more information
on those metes and bounds requirements. He said the township should get a
real legal description, some topo, and some wetlands delineated, to find
out where they are, and then get easements around them. These are standard
things that the Counties are asking for. John Moosbrugger asked if the simple
plat is a separate issue from the Metes and Bounds. Todd McLouth indicated
yes.
After much discussion, a motion was made by Larry Ziebarth and seconded by
Tom Braun that the Planning Commission accept what Todd McLouth had written
on a simple plat procedure.
The Planning Commission requested the following additions:
1. that this would apply only to the R1 zone.
2. that there needs to be at least three years between
splits.
Motion Carried.
Todd McLouth agreed that he would write up another simple plat procedure
with the provisions that were discussed. He indicated that the Planning Commission
should think about a simple plat application fee. He also indicated that
since the simple plats do not include new roads, and since they will all
abut township
roads, that they should require the developer to escrow funds for future
road improvements, just like they do on a real plat. He indicated that the
amount would be based on frontage length.
Open Forum- John Moosbrugger indicated that he had a conversation with a
neighbor about the John Wood's property, and he feels that this problem is
not going to go away and the problem and neighbor's anger is going to get
worse. He indicated that he would like the Township to see if the County
will agree to a memorandum of understanding procedure, where the County will
help the Township enforce the nuisance ordinance. He does not feel that the
Township has the resources to deal with situation on their own. John Roxbury,
Jr. indicated that he agreed with John Moosbrugger but feels that it has
to be done at the Town Board level. Tom Braun indicated that it is a Town
Board item and that the Planning Commission cannot really make a recommendation,
although they would back the Town Board.
Loren indicated that the staff meeting would be on Thursday, March 6th at
1:30 and he would like for 2 members of the Planning Commission and the Town
Board to be in attendance. Carl Sanford said that could attend and Eric Minks
would try to make it.
Larry Ziebarth informed the Planning Commission members that there is a class
through GTS regarding training on comprehensive plans. It is on May 3rd in
St. Louis Park and the cost is $125.00. Carl Sanford motioned that the Town
Board fund the cost of attending the class. Eric Minks seconded the motion.
Motion Carried.
A Motion was made by John Roxbury, Jr., and seconded by Tom Braun to adjourn
the meeting at 9:30 pm. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Connie Wubben
Deputy Clerk
Attendees: Loren Kohnen, Todd McLouth, Stephanie Johnston