Princeton Township, Minnesota
Planning Commission Minutes
Public Hearing #1
On June 5, 2006, at 7:00 pm, Planning Commission Chairperson Eric Minks
called Public Hearing #1 to order. The purpose of the Public Hearing
was to discuss a Conditional Use Permit for the spreading of bio-solids on
Tim Wilhelm’s property, Section 9.
Other Planning Commission members present were John Roxbury, Jr., Tom Braun,
Greg McBroom, and John Moosbrugger. Carl Sanford and Larry Ziebarth
were absent.
Loren Kohnen indicated that he received a letter today from Mille Lacs
County regarding the land application of bio-solids and what the standards
for the County require. The County stated that they would like to
see the setbacks in the letter incorporated into the Conditional Use Permit.
Greg McBroom asked if there would be spreading on all three parcels and
Loren Kohnen indicated that only Parcel 1 could be used, not Parcel 2 and
Parcel 3 because they are in River Conservation and that area does not allow
the spreading of bio-solids.
Greg McBroom asked whether the fields were tiled. Tim Wilhelm indicated
that P1 is not tiled in the portion they are looking to spread on, but Parcel
2 and Parcel 3 are both tiled.
There were no other residents who wished to speak.
A motion was made by Greg McBroom and seconded by John Roxbury, Jr., to
close the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. Motion Carried.
Public Hearing #2
On June 5th, 2008, at 7:15 pm, Planning Commission Chairperson Eric Minks
called Public Hearing #2 to order. The purpose of the Public Hearing
was to discuss a Conditional Use Permit for a small manufacturing business
requested by Greg Chapman, in Section 17.
Eric Minks asked Greg Chapman what he had planned. Greg Chapman indicated
that he would be doing some light manufacturing of a custom NV, a multi
use fish house, on a wholesale basis. He also indicated that whatever
they manufacture would be shipped out to dealers.
A motion was made by John Roxbury, Jr. and seconded by Tom Braun to close
the Public Hearing at 7:25 p.m. Motion Carried.
Regular Monthly Meeting
At 7:30 p.m., the Regular Monthly meeting was called to order.
A motion was made by Greg McBroom and seconded by Tom Braun to approve
the minutes of May 1,2006 as printed. Motion Carried.
The Planning Commission members discussed Public Hearing #1 regarding Tim
Wilhelm’s request for spreading bio-solids on his property.
Loren Kohnen indicated that it should be noted, that another condition
should be added so all county setbacks listed in the letter dated 6-05-06
will be part of the conditions. When the county board approves it,
then a copy of the Conditional Use Permit can be sent to them to show them
that the rules for the setbacks will be followed.
Greg McBroom asked it they spread the bio-solids this fall, would they
not spread them next fall. Tim Wilhelm Indicated that it would probably
be even longer than that. Loren Kohnen asked if the applicant had received
a copy of his requirements. He had not and was then given a copy.
Loren Kohnen also indicated that they would need to add a number seven on
the CUP that included the Mille Lacs County setbacks requirements.
Greg McBroom asked if it was a state guideline to have a 2-foot separation.
Loren Kohnen indicated that that is why there are soil borings, because
on the map, where the relaxed features are, there is ground water.
There is separation, so the soil has a chance to treat the material that
is being put on it. He also indicated that the number of soil borings
would up to the MPCA.
Chairperson Eric Minks asked Tim Wilhelm if he was ok with the 6 requirements
that Loren had noted, and also with the number seven that would be added,
and he indicated that he was.
Greg McBroom motioned to recommend to the Town Board to grant a Conditional
Use Permit based on the seven conditions. The seven conditions are
as follows:
1) Applicant be granted a permit from M.P.C.A.
2) Application must follow all rules, regulations and
guidelines from M.P.C.A.
3) Any field tile(s) shall be identified and located.
4) All wetlands shall be identified and staked on property.
5) Areas on property where redox features are closer
than 3’ to the surface, no application of bio-solids can be made.
6) Bio-sohds must be incorporated into the soil within
24 hours of application.
Tom Braun seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The next item on the agenda was to discuss Public Hearing #2. Chairperson
Eric Minks indicated that this CUP, for Greg Chapman, would be for a small
business manufacturing fishhouses. He would be leasing the building
from Larry Doose, where it is already zoned commercial.
Greg Chapman indicated that there would be no customer traffic. The
fishhouses would be made there and then shipped out. Loren Kohnen asked
if there would be any outside storage. Greg Chapman indicated that
there may be some steel stored by the side of the building, for approximately
20 feet.
Tom Braun asked Loren Kohnen about condition number one that he had listed
on his recommendation. It stated that 1) Handicap parking and unloading
space be provided. Must be black topped. Signage must also be
provided. He wanted to know how much of the area needed to be blacktopped.
Loren indicated that the ordinance calls for a handicap area, 9 feet wide
by 20 feet long with a 5 foot unloading area right beside it, that will
line up with the front door.
Greg McBroom asked if there was a restroom in the building now. Greg
Chapman indicated that there was not but they have access to a building
that does. Loren Kohnen indicated that that was ok as long as it was
on the same piece of property, but it does have to be handicap accessible.
Loren Kohnen indicated that he would work with them as best as they could.
Loren Kohnen indicated that they should draw up some plans and he could
meet them at the location and they could review ft together. Greg Chapman’s
realtor asked if that could be done sometime before the next Town Board
meeting on June 20th. Loren indicated that he could meet them before
then.
Chairperson Eric Minks asked Greg Chapman if he was ok with the four requirements
that Loren Kohnen had drawn up. Greg Chapman’s realtor indicated that
he had talked to Larry and Yvonne Doose about the requirements and they
did not seem to have a problem with 1) regarding the handicap parking, or
4) provide address on building. He said that for number one, there
already is a blacktopped area and they would just need to get the proper
signage up, and then do some painting of the black top. He did have
some concerns with the other two requirements. He indicated that this
is just a short tern, lease to make some revenue and Larry Doose does have
the property for sale and would rather sell it. He also indicated
that Larry Doose does not want to put any money into adding another bathroom
since there is already one there that anyone can use.
John Roxbury, Jr. indicated that he thinks they really need to insist that
they follow the requirements for a bathroom because they do not know what
this place is going to turn into in 6 months or 6 years. He also indicated
that whatever they allow it to be now, is going to be an infinite item.
He also indicated that he thinks they have some procedural problems since
a Conditional Use Permit goes with the property, and should be applied for
by the property owner. That means that Larry Doose would need to come
and apply for the Conditional Use Permit, because it Greg Chapman leaves,
the CUP would stay with the property. He also indicated that there
are some requirements for an application for a CUP that the Planning Commission
does not have, according to ordinance 300 231, such as the site plan drawn
to scale, buildings, dimensions, square footage, landscaping, so on and
so forth. He said that he does not see a problem but they have requirements
that need to be met that could be put together before it gets to the Town
Board. He said that it was just a formality and he didn’t think there
was anything that would be overriding for them to do. He suggested
that they could recommend approval upon meeting these requirements.
Eric Minks indicated that Larry Doose needs to be here or he needs to re-apply
himself since it is on his property. Greg Chapman asked about the
fees he already submitted, if he will get those back, since there will be
two Permits and his is basically no good. John Roxbury, Jr. indicated
that Greg Chapman can not apply because he does not own the property, and
as far as what he has paid, he should get it out of Larry Doose or get it
back. He indicated that as far as he was concerned, the Permit has
been applied for, it’s just that the wrong guy has signed it. Larry
Doose is actually the one that will have the Conditional Use Permit.
John Moosbrugger indicated that it is an easy problem to fix. He also
indicated that they could add a condition stating that as soon as Greg Chapmans’
business would stop, the CUP would be void. Loren Kohnen indicated
that they would need to have Larry Doose sign a letter stating that he is
the one applying for the CUP.
Greg McBroom made a motion to recommend for approval the CUP with the four
conditions that Loren drew up:
1) Handicap parking and unloading space be provided.
Must be black topped. Signage must also be provided.
2) Building must be accessible.
3) Provide accessible restroom.
4) Provide address on building.
and also adding a fifth requirement stating this conditional use permit
terminates with the end of the business or lease, whichever comes first, and
that the CUP is transferred to Larry Doose or they get a letter from him
that Greg Chapman is acting on his behalf. John Roxbury, Jr. seconded
the motion with the caveat that they need to know that on the next application,
on Larry’s application, they need to make sure they’ve got all of the information
required by paragraph 300 231 with the submission. Motion Carried.
Chairperson Eric Minks indicated that Greg Chapman would be meeting with
Loren Kohnen on Thursday, June 8th, 2006 to go over the requirements regarding
an accessible restroom. At that time Loren Kohnen could also get the
letter from Larry Doose.
The next item up for business was the Ron Peterson / Paul Kummet landsplit,
Section 27. Paul Kummet indicated that he is just buying a small section
of land behind his house. He was told at the time he bought the house,
that the shed was 3-5 feet was on Mr. Petersons’ lot, which ended up being
50 feet on his lot. Mr. Peterson and Mr. Kummet now want to even up
the property lines to make sure that Mr. Kummets’ shed and gazebo are officially
on his property and on the land descriptions
Todd McClouth indicated that as far as the description is, it is fine,
however it is not a survey, and there is a possible gap on the property.
The description basically says that they are going to transfer the parcel
A to Kummets’ property. The description does what they want for the
counties and it is adequate.
John Roxbury, Jr. indicated that the way the description reads is that
there is a sliver of property that starts out 2 feet wide that runs from
west to east and narrows down to nothing. He indicated that it should
be sorted out now, whatever that requires. Todd McClouth indicated
that according to the legal descriptions on the deeds, the paperwork is
satisfactory and it does the job.
Mr. Peterson indicated that he does not know who owns that sliver of property
and was wondering who is paying taxes on it. All he wants to do is
get his property lines straightened out. He also indicated that they
have been selling that property that Paul Kummet owns for years and there
has never been a problem.
Todd McClouth indicated that in light of the fact that they are not creating
lots, they are not doing roads, the description is fine. He indicated
that they are just trying to clear up a boundary issue, where they have
buildings on other peoples’ property.
Greg McBroom made a motion to recommend to the Town Board to approve the
Ron Peterson / Paul Kummet land split. Tom Braun seconded the motion.
Motion Carried.
Chairperson Eric Minks moved Open Forum up in the agenda before the discussions
started on the Comprehensive Plan and the Simple Flat, No one wished to
speak during Open Forum.
The next item up for business is the Comprehensive Plan discussion.
John Roxbury, Jr. handed out some information that he received from the
meeting that he and Larry Ziebarth attended. He also said that Larry
Ziebarth would be able to give a presentation on the information he received
at that meeting.
After some discussion, Chairperson Eric Minks made the motion to table
the discussion until next month because that will give everyone a month
to do the home work. John Roxbury, Jr. seconded the motion. Motion
Carried.
The next item up for business was the Simple Plat discussion. Greg
McBroom questioned why the Town Board wanted to restrict this to only R1.
John Moosbrugger indicated that they wanted to try it out in a place that
it seemed most needed. They would start with R1 since it had the smaller
lot sizes, and then later look at whether it is necessary to expand it all
over. There was some concern about putting it in the Ag zone immediately
because it may create a lot of unnecessary red tape.
Greg McBroom indicated that he thought it may be better to restrict it
to anything, say under 2.5 acres, since the concern was in the smaller lots.
He also indicated that 2.5 acres in the middle of 40 acres in the Ag zone,
where the house gets split off and the lines are 40 feet off, there’s a
problem. It doesn’t matter whether it is in R1, River Conservation
or wherever it is. He also indicated that he thinks property is more
and more surveyable and it may cost the owners more up front, but they will
either pay now or pay later.
John Moosbrugger indicated that on the draft of the simple plat that was
wrote up, there needed to be something that indicated that the simple plat
has to be used in the R1 zone. Chairperson Eric Minks indicated that
he also thought some of the language needed to be changed so people understood
that they have to do it in the R1 zone.
After some more discussion, Tom Braun motioned to recommend to the Town
Board for their approval the simple plat procedure with the added line that
John Moosbrugger said (All Iandsplits in R1 shall be by regular subdivision
plat or simple plat) and the recommend changes by Todd. John Roxbury,
Jr, seconded the motion. Motion Carried with Greg McBroom opposed.
John Roxbury indicated that they have not elected officers yet this year.
Chairperson Eric Minks indicated that they normally do that in January.
John Roxbury, Jr. indicated that it was not done this past January.
John Roxbury, Jr., motioned to put the election of officers on the next
months meeting agenda. Tom Braun seconded the motion with Chairperson
Eric Minks opposed. Motion Carried.
A Motion was made by John Roxbury, Jr., and seconded by Tom Braun to adjourn
the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Connie Wubben
Deputy Clerk
Attendees: Loren Kohnen, Todd McClouth, Mr. and Mrs.
Peterson, Greg Chapman and his realtor, Tim Wilhelm, Paul Kummet