During Lynden Township’s April meeting, Supervisor Anne Ackerman informed the board she had received a courtesy call from the director of Bridges of Minnesota, informing her they are purchasing a property on Woodbine Road. 

 

The organization is planning to open a licensed residential care facility on the property that would house four adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

 

As this is a permitted use, no notice to neighbors is required.

 

Resident Charlie Schultz asked how a business could be allowed in a residential neighborhood, stating the covenants of Wood’s Edge prohibit this from occurring. He informed the board he has a court order regarding the unrecorded cartway to the property that states he owns 16½ feet of the access. He also noted there is no

 

easement.

 

The board advised Schultz to contact Bridges of Minnesota and Stearns County Environmental Services (SCES) so they are aware of the situation. The township has no authority over covenants or the court order.

 

The board discussed the letter received from resident Doug Bischoff requesting the minimum maintenance portion of Franklin Road be closed and barricaded. Bischoff owns property on both sides of the road, and he stated ATVs tear it up and people dump garbage along it.

 

Township Attorney Mike Couri informed the board they could close the road by resolution, however a number of residents were present who objected to the closure. They stated the road is used on a regular basis for things such as access to farmland and horseback riding.

 

After discussing the issue, the board passed a motion denying the request for road closure. Supervisor Jerry Finch will review the condition of the road to determine if maintenance is currently necessary.

 

The township sent a letter to the property owner on 146th Street notifying him of a nuisance ordinance violation and requesting visible progress be made toward compliance or a plan to clean up the property be presented.

 

The owner, Reinhardt Maurer, informed the board he had sold the property a number of years ago, however neither a title company nor an attorney were involved in the transaction so Stearns County still has him listed as owner. He indicated he had delivered the letter to the new owner, Donny Brumbeck. 

 

Ackerman reviewed the property earlier in the day and noted some progress had been made. The board will review the property again on their spring road tour May 6. 

 

The board received a request from a property owner on Fairmount Road to finish some space in an accessory building in order to manufacture hot sauce. Ackerman will inform the owner this is considered a home extended business, and instruct him to fill out a provisional use form and acquire a building permit.

 

The township sent a letter to the resident who dumped garbage on 200th Street asking for it to be removed. Clerk Jenny Schmidt informed the board she had received a letter from the resident requesting clarification and additional information. Schmidt will respond and again request removal of the garbage.

 

The board approved Resolution 2017-02, a Resolution regarding Minnesota Legislative Funding for Clearwater Harbor and Hidden River Sanitary Sewer Systems, and Resolution 2017-03, a Resolution regarding MPCA Permit Extension for Clearwater Harbor and Hidden River Sanitary Sewer Systems.

 

Cleanup Day has been reinstated and will be held on April 29 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

 

The next Lynden Township meeting will be May 1 at 7 p.m.