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Proposed church retreat west of Harris does not fit zoning, council believesBy Danielle Strenke At its meeting Monday, the council discussed the concept for the development on a 12-acre parcel on Co. Rd. 9 west of Harris. Mayor Richard Hanson said neither the current zoning ordinances, nor the previous one contain any language regarding retreats. ìThis area is zoned R1 residential,î he said. ìSuch as one family dwellings, urban agriculture, churches. This is not a church, and in the new ordinance churches arenít even permitted in those areas.î There are other issues involved, he said. The preliminary proposal for the retreat would include a chapel building, and another large building including a dining area and lodging rooms. ìThis is something that wouldnít fit in that area,î Hanson said. ìIt would fit in an area thatís maybe 40 acres and set off somewhere.î Other council members felt it simply did not fit into the zoning restrictions for the land. ìItís basically a business. Theyíre going to charge to use it,î Wayne Buisman said. Buisman, who sits on the planning commission, said when the idea was proposed to the commission, the idea was brought up that the city could run water and sewer to the site, which would be extremely costly. ìWe need to send this back to the planning commission,î Hanson said. ìYou need to ask them if theyíve thought about a sewer system, wells, all of the expenses and ask if itís still worth it,î Lyle Holmstrom said. The council also approved the purchase of a used pumper truck for the Harris Fire Department. The department submitted the highest bid to the White Bear Fire Department for the truck, at a cost of $30,000. The fire department could have the truck in its fleet within a week or so, chief John Pelant told the council. ©ECM Post Review |