By Penny Leuthard,
Staff Writer
Illegal driveways, MS4 and an update from Rep. Jim Knoblach were on the agenda for Monday’s Haven Twp. meeting.
Illegal Driveways
Chairman Jeff Schlingmann informed the board he had done some research and found the township had passed a road standard ordinance in 2008 that prohibits driveways from being closer than 300 ft. to each other, limiting property in developments to one driveway per lot.
Of the extra driveways noted in the township, all but one was built prior to 2008 so will be grandfathered in. Twp. Attorney David Meyers will send a letter to the property owner who is in violation of the ordinance requesting the second driveway be removed within 30 days. If not, it will be removed by the township and he will be billed.
MS4 Transfer
Schlingmann and Meyers met with St. Cloud’s engineer, and were told the city is inclined to take over the township’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) pipe as long as they have easements for it.
The city’s only concern was for an agreement to be put into place for paying for the pipe to be cleaned out or replaced if needed in the future. Schlingmann and Meyers will negotiate the best deal possible and bring it back to the board for approval.
Road Report
Supervisor Mark Knowles informed the board he’s working with Allstate Pavement Recycling to obtain an estimate for reclaiming the pavement in Sherwood West.
A motion carried adopting the 52nd Street resolution, which had been approved by the county auditor and surveyor.
A motion carried allowing Meyers to negotiate road dedications with property owners on 31st Ave. SE.
Rep. Knoblach
Rep. Jim Knoblach attended the meeting to provide a legislative update, sharing that it was a good news/bad news session. On the positive side, the capital investment bill passed that includes funding for adding a third lane on I-94 from Albertville to St. Michael.
His bill was vetoed that called for a permanent third lane to be added on I-94 from Clearwater to Monticello. In 2020, a temporary lane will be constructed due to resurfacing work that will be taking place at the cost of 37 million. As a permanent third lane will probably happen around 2025, Knoblach’s proposal was to spend 50 million on it now, which would save money in the long run.
He explained the omnibus finance bill and a conformity tax bill that would have lowered state income taxes and simplified tax returns, both of which were vetoed by the governor. Meyers stated he felt large omnibus bills needed to go away, as separate bills had greater chances of passing.
Knoblach also updated the board on his attempt for rural townships to have exemption from MS4, which had been brought to him by Lynden Twp. Although the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency had agreed, it was vetoed along with the omnibus bill.
Other Business
Cemstone Products Company will be coming before the board in the next few months to request an IUP (interim use permit) for the gravel pit they plan to reopen; a public hearing will need to be scheduled.
The next Haven Twp. meeting will be August 20 at 7 p.m.
