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Residents must become active and attend government meetings

To the editor:
About five years ago a lot of time and tax money was spent on a public document called the comprehensive guide plan. This document spells out the residentsí of Chisago Countyís vision of how the community should grow.
Many people took time from their families to meet and discuss these ideas. They believed that it was a worthwhile endeavor and the document was presented in good faith that it would be used as a guide when approving or denying development applications.
In fact the very first line of the subdivision ordinance states that it must be in compliance with the comp guide. Somewhere along the line these things fell by the wayside and one house on five acres minimum mentioned in the zoning ordinance became the gospel.
Many citizens do not bother to go to either the planning commission or county commissioner meetings as they feel that the developers have all the power and call the shots.
ìIt is a done deal,î and ìItís useless to speak out,î are things I have heard time and time again.
There is a lot of anger and frustration at a process which is confusing, dismissive and at times hostile.
On August 7 there was a county commissionersí meeting, a few citizens showed up but they had very little hope that the concerns they had presented to the planning commission prior to this meeting would be acted on.
They were wrong, the commissioners chose this night to buck status quo and meaningfully discuss the value of neighborhood norms, residents input and the vote of the comp guide.
Tom Delaney expressed confusion and concern as to how the regulations worked with the comp guide. After some debate he chose to support the regulations which uphold comp guide ideals.
A big step toward saving the rural feel of our agricultural areas, and in sending a message about incompatible planning.
This may not sound like a big deal, but it was. Commissioner Montzka made the comment that developers needed to take into consideration the area into which they are asking to build.
That the environmental, agricultural and residents needs in that particular area all need to be listened to.
The bottom line is this, if residents donít go to these meetings or take the time to express their opinions it will be the developers who will tell us how the future will look. This level of government is a republic which means who you vote for speaks literally for you, you personally do not. It is vital to know who you are voting for and be involved.
Judy Kepes
North Branch

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