A couple of complaints and some updates were on the agenda for the December meeting of Lynden Township.

 

Dan Schultz approached the board to discuss a nuisance violation he believes to be occurring on Driftwood Road. A neighbor has been using a generator that is creating noise, and although Schultz has spoken with him regarding this issue numerous times the generator is still in use.

 

The generator is being used for a singlewide trailer, which is a zoning violation, as the township hasn’t issued an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for this property. Supervisor Anne Ackerman stated she will draft a letter notifying the property owner of the violation, and Supervisor Jerry Finch will contact the Stearns County Sheriff for enforcement.

 

Stearns County Environmental Services referred Jon Holm of Granite City Iron Works to the township in regards to neighboring property DM Motor’s alleged water runoff issues.

 

Supervisor Dave Johnson informed the board he had reviewed the properties involved and encouraged Ackerman and Finch to do so also. 

 

Ackerman indicated she would draft a letter inviting Holm and a representative from the neighboring property to the township’s January meeting to discuss the issue.

 

The monthly meeting was recessed at 7:15 for a public hearing regarding a variance application from Kris Miller and Anne Ackerman to alter the roofline of an existing structure on their Eaglewood Road property that doesn’t meet the 30-foot setback requirements. 

 

There were no comments or objections to the request; a motion was passed to accept the variance.

 

Ackerman stepped down from her position as chair for the hearing; at its conclusion she resumed her position and reconvened the regular monthly meeting.

 

Finch informed the board research has shown the source of the E. coli impairment found in the Plum Creek Watershed can’t be identified. 

 

He will continue to pursue getting Plum Creek off the active impaired list and will coordinate testing in the upcoming year, with three tests per month for a three month period.

 

A building permit was issued for a new township residence, which allows a trailer to be used as a temporary residence for up to six months while the home is being constructed. Johnson will follow up with Building Official Nancy Scott on the matter to ensure the owner understands when the trailer needs to be removed by.

 

Ackerman informed the board she had spoken with Kevin and Sheri Turner; they will be sending $238 for costs incurred from the public hearing on their Fulton Circle property. Johnson indicated he would follow up with Township Attorney Mike Couri to determine who should be responsible for the additional legal fees incurred. 

 

The Nemeth First Addition preliminary plat has been approved by Stearns County. Once the property is developed a storm water treatment and erosion control plan will need to be submitted for approval by the township.

 

The next Lynden Township meeting will be Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.