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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974.08.27 PC Minutes • Minutes of the Washington County Planning Advisory Commission August 27, 1974 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Washington County Office Building Cafeteria by Chairman Lundquist. MEMBERS PRESENT • Bill Lundquist, James Crawford, Ed Lemmerman, Harold Hohit, Ken Whitaker, Graham Anderson, Roy Olson, Wes Scheel, and Fred Ottem. OTHERS PRESENT Bill Schwab, Mary Peterson, Don Raleigh, Lyle Doerr, Dennis Welsch, Carl Dale, Judy Screaton, Scott Carlson, Joe Uehling, Al Borsheim, and Richard Sandburg. P.C.A. BURNING BAN Mr Rich Sandburg of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency talked on the PCA Burning Ban Regulations. He said that the MPCA issues burning permits within the municipalities and the DNR issues burning permits within the townships. He told the Planning Advisory Commission that the burning of leaves was prohibited but that the burning of trees was permitted under six conditions. He went on to explain the conditions and that the MPCA felt it is not practical to put dead or diseased trees into landfill sites. Permits for open burningare also limited. p Mr Sandburg said that the burning ban law was drawn up according to federal standards. The MPCA must abide at least by federal standards but can be more restrictive. Not all states have the same problem as far as pollutants are con- cerned. There is a low level of particulate matter where there is no industry. He explained that the MPCA is made up of three divisions; (1) Air Quality; (2) Water Quality; and (3) Solid Waste. There are monitoring stations all over Minnesota. Regulations set by MPCA were approved by the State Legislature. He stated that the ban will not be relaxed and that industry is hurt the most by this ban. All plants are being checked concerning pollutants. BAYTOWN LAND USE QUESTION Bill Schwab explained to the Planning Advisory Commission a problem which occured in Baytown Township regarding a 10 acre tract of land which is land- locked and- locked except for a 33 foot easement. He said that the owner would not be able to get a building permit. The Register of Deeds would not recond the deed until the Township gives approval. Mr Schwab said he thought the Subdivision Ordinance should be tightened up. There have been changes in the law regarding subdivision made by the legislature in 1974. He also said that the County Board of Commissioners felt some concern regarding this problem and felt the Planning Advisory Commission should look into the matter. Don Raleigh told the Planning Advisory Commission that there were various ways to enforce the subdivision ordinance. He said that in certain cases the County cannot prohibit the registering of a deed. He said he has written to the Attorney General for an opinion. Mr Raleigh said that private road easements should be PAC Minutes - 8/27/74 Page 2 eliminated as they are a big problem. He also said that the subdivision ordinance should be broadened to make it whatever the County wants and the criteria should be such that the subdivider knows exactly what is wanted. There was alot of discussion regarding the subdivision ordinance and the present problem. It was decided that the Planning Advisory Commission should start revising the Subdivision Ordinance. DENMARK TOWNSHIP REZONING Dennis Welsch told the Planning Advisory Commission that he had recently attended a Denmark Township meeting at which they asked him to get the Plannning Ad- visory Commission's opinion on rezoning of a certain piece of property. Mr Welsch stated the property would be used for an office complex and the sale of garden tractors. The question was raised if the area was ready for rezoning. After much discussion on spot zoning it was suggested that a study should be done and the area looked at in order to make a recommendation to Denmark Township. A motion was made to direct the planning staff to study the land use,. particular roads and contact the State Highway Department to give their opinion and bring the results of the study back to the Planning Advisory Commission. Carried. STILLWATER TWP ANNEXATION BY CITY OF STILLWATER Bill Schwab told the Planning Advisory Commission that the City of Stillwater has proposed orderly annexation for a part of Stillwater Township. Mr Schwab showed the Planning Advisory Commission a map indicating the areas for immediate annexation. He said that an oral agreement would be entered into by both bodies and would be binding. The City would write up a proposal and the Township would write up a counter proposal or a letter stating rejection. There was general discussion between members on this subject. A motion was made that the Planning Advisory Commission go on record as favoring orderly annexation between the City of Stillwater and Stillwater Township and offered their services in the planning program. Carried. APPOINTMENT OF NEW PARC MEMBER A motion was made to appoint James Asquith to the Park and Recreation Com- mittee. Carried. GENERAL DISCUSSTION Lyle Doerr told the Planning Advisory Commission some of the problems with existing lake cabins being converted to year around homes. Many of the cabins. do not meet state building codes or septic codes. There was much discussion on this subject and was suggested that a definition of seasonal use should he put in the ordinance. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:50 P.M.