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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 29, 1974 (J (_) C_) <brr<DW 1f <DWD11~OUO[JD (J , "- ~~ GROW TOWNSHIP PLANNING & ZONING AGENDA - OCTOBER 29, 1974 - 7:30 p.m., AT THE GROW COMMUNITY CENTER. 10-74-1. Mr. & Mrs. Jerold Prior - Special Use permit. - Dc--{~cl/ ill r- . r' ,/,/ / / /"l j ~.I /llolJ ' 7 974-2. Gun Ordinance /,112 -':;;.f;L It/f/7! f-f-J-!<.e. u;ecr, I 'T /r , . 1)-&/7 J' pl/ A/4/V 71rr- 10-74-2. Researching Ordinance - Change, Control & Indexing. ) ~ ~ "J \ 1074-1 ':J (4-2 oL t'-;J, -?r 6~VW TVWNSIiIJ> Minutes of the REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINu of the Grow township Planning and Zoning ~ommission held October 29, 1974 at the Urow Town Uommunity Center. Attending were: Chairman Miles, \.)ommission members Heil, Jack, Jaworski, Rither and vander ~aan and Attorney rlawkins. Meeting was called to order at 7:42. Chairman Miles called for corrections to the minutes of ueptem- ber 30, 1974. He indicated he had one correction on page four. Item 974-2 should be 774-2. Rither moved to adopt the minutes of S~pt. 30, 1974 as corrected. Jaworski seconded the motion; motion carried.unanimously. Chairman Miles introduced the first agenda item, the Special Use Permit for Jerold Prior and explained there had been some delays in getting copies of the legal opinion and in notification of adjoining property owners. He requested action on this Permit be continued until November 7, 1974. Attorney Hawkins said the Priors must have a kennel license and that the Township would have to have some control over the operation and therefore the Priors would need a Special Use Permit. Next item on the agenda was discussion and proparation of an ordinance regulating the discharge of firearms within the limits of the Township of Grow. Miles explained the Town Board had directed the Planning 8nd Zoning Commission to either draft a new ordinance or revise the present Ordinance. Miles direct- ed the members to the minutes of the Town Board meeting of Aug- ust 19, 1974 indicating that Attorney Hawkins was to ammend the present Gun Ordinance #12. He then read from the minutes of the Town Board meeting of September 10, 1974 that the Board had requ,"sted that no firearms be discharged on parcels of less than 10 acres, then only with ,a permit and non-owners must receive written permission to hunt on those lands. Miles then read a letter from Tom Mattson, a resident of Grow Township/requesting complete discontinuance of the use of firearms in the Township. In response to questions from Jerry Lapham, Hawkins explained that the present inequities in the present Ordinance are the boundaries and the fact that rifles cannot be discharged anywhere in the Township and only shotguns in certain areas. Ken Maus suggested that Round Lake could be set aside as a hunting area or any other area be set aside specifically for hunting. Miles noted that Round Lake, Coon Creek and the Rum River are of en- vironmental concern. Dick Schneider stated the present Ordin- ance had been formulated and the present boundaries drawn at the request of people living in the restricted area. Fay Barnes expressed that his primary concern in a Gun Ordin8nce is that 6~VW TVWNStilP Page two it should require written permission of the landowners with the permit number on it. Helen Frantz asked if adding or subtracting from our present Ordinance will help with the en- forcement. Vander Laan read from the State Laws regarding hunters trespassing on other's lands. Discussion continued on citizen's arrests, trespassing and the manner in which to report violations. Rither stated it was not clear what the problem is; is it specifically trespassers; what are the other aspects? Miles said we have a 'serious safety problem with reported cases of rifles and shotguns being discharged too close to buildings. Jack said he had asked the law enfor- cement officer if there was any problem with enforcing the Gun Ordinance as it is now and had received a negative answer. Rither asked what is the reaction to complete abolishment? Winslow Holasek, Ken Olson, Dick Schneider, Helen Frantz and Jerry Lapham all expressed the opinion they would not want the Township closed entirely to guns. Miles noted several items he would like to see in a firearms ordinance: Close the Township to rifles, allow hunting with a permit of specified duration, that person hunting must have a suitable area to hunt and have the permit or written permis- sion with the permit number on it on his person, and areas of ecological importance excluded and that the existence of gun clubs and rifle ranges should be addressed. Vander Laan said she would add some references to discharge of firearms by persons under 14 to emphasize the da.ngers of children using guns, and that children from 14 to 18 be required to take the National Rifle Association course before being permitted to hunt in' the TownShip. Jack added he would like to see a require- ment that the discharge of the firearm should not leave the area for which the permit is intended, and that the permit shall be in effect for one year and renewable with a fee. Discussion continued on permits and methods of issuance. Ecological areas were discussed and it was generally concurred that certain areas should be set aside to preserve natural areas and wildlife. Hither proposed we adopt an ordinance similar to that found in the City of Ham Lake and then read that Ordinance. The Commis- sion and residents then discussed the enforcement and effect- iveness of the Ordinance. Miles read portions of the Burnsville Ordinance to emphasize that 500 feet is consistently used in State Law and other communities. Rither moved that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommend to the Town Board of Supervisors that we adopt the Ordinance from Ham Lake as read including revising the 300 feet to 500 feet, and that we eliminate the words, (Sec. II, line 4,) "or leased by" (line 5) "or leased" and (line 6) "unless such person...... ..or bow and arrow." Heil seconded the motion. All Commissioners voted against the motion. Rither moved that the same Ordinance 6~VW TVWNS~IP Page three be adopted except the words (Sec.ll, line 4) "or leased", (line 5) "or leased" and (line 8) "or lessee" be deleted, and 300 feet be changed to 500 feet. Jack seconded the motion. Discussion followed with Rither ammending his original motion to recommend that the Ham Lake Ordinance be adopted as printed except that 300 feet be changed to 500 feet. Jack seconded. Commissioners voting aye: Jack, Rither, Heil and Vander Laan. Abstaining: Jaworski. Jaworski moved the meeting be adjourned. Rither seconded the motion; carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:15. and Zoning Commission Laan, Clerk,