On Monday, January 9, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. Planning Commission Chairperson Eric Minks called the regular monthly meeting to order. Other members present were Steve Heinks, Larry Ziebarth, Greg McBroom, Carl Sanford and Dale Rothstein. John Roxbury, Jr. was absent.

A motion was made by Larry Ziebarth and seconded by Dale Rothstein to approve the minutes of December 5, 2006 and December 19, 2006 as printed. Motion Carried.

The Planning Commission discussed the definition of upland that was added into the new R-1 Zone Ordinance. A definition for upland will need to be inserted into Chapter 200 of the Ordinance.  A motion was made by Greg McBroom and seconded by Larry Ziebarth to insert the following definition into Chapter 200. Motion Carried.

UPLAND (Residential R-1 District) - means a natural and contiguous portion of the lot area which is exclusive of existing wetlands, flood plain, flood fringe, flood way, drainage ways and utility easements and exclusive of proposed ponding areas, drainage swales, and utility easements.

The Town Board asked the Clerk to hold the Public Hearing of Chapter 200 for an evening when there is another Public Hearing scheduled.

During the discussion of the upland definition Greg McBroom questioned the Planning Commission if the Township should include language for a Simple Plat as well. He believed that the Township should create a procedure for a Simple Plat and require that on all splits. After some discussion it was decided to add this discussion to the agenda for the next Planning Commission Meeting.

The Planning Commission discussed the "Right-To-Farm" clause. The Clerk and Loren Kohnen stated they had called Stearns County, Washington County, Wright County, Sherburne County and Carver County and not one of them have an Ordinance in Place relating to right-to-farm. They all stated that they have a clause they hand out informing people of the sights, sounds and smells they may be exposed to when they purchase a piece of property in an Agricultural Zone. After some discussion the members of the Planning Commission decided to do nothing with this at this time. They did not feel this has been a problem within the Township and didn't see a need to create an Ordinance for it.

A motion was made by Greg McBroom and seconded by Dale Rothstein to table the discussion on the Feedlot Ordinance until the 2/6/06 Planning Commission when Mille Lacs County Zoning Administrator would be in attendance. Motion Carried.

Open Forum
Greg McBroom stated he thought the Township should look at changing the Ordinance to not allow flag lots. No action was taken on this subject.

Eric Minks cautioned Planning Commission Members and Town Board Members About their presence together creating a quorum.

Adjourn
A motion was made by Carl Sanford and seconded by Greg McBroom to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 p.m. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Connie L. Heinks
Clerk/Treasurer

Attendees: John Moosbrugger, Loren Kohnen, Todd McLouth