No need to deny rezoning request -Almelund proposal withdrawn

By MaryHelen Swanson
Following a pair of Chisago County Planning Commission (PC) meetings, which ended in a recommendation to the county board to deny a rezoning request for an Almelund development project, Curtis Sparks withdrew his request.

Sparks is the landowner who requested a rezoning from Ag to RRII and asked for reduced lot sizes in a planned development with a community sewer system in connection with future plans he has for 125 acres adjacent to the city of Almelund.

Since Sparks withdrew his requests, when the item came before the county board last week there was no need to accept or reject the PCís recommendation.

But a second planning commission recommendation acted on by the board might have affect on Sparksís future plans.

A request from John Feges of Northstar Development Consulting for a zoning ordinance amendment to allow flexibility in lot size and density in residential developments served by a community wastewater treatment system will be put before county residents in a public hearing set for 6:30 April 3.

Essentially what the revision to the ordinance would allow is smaller lots in a development where land is set aside for a community wastewater treatment system.

For each lot, a ìbonusî (in reduction of required lot size) would be given to the developer if a specific amount of land is included in the sewage treatment system.

County Environmental Services Director Marion Heemsbergen said it would be a big change, but a good change.

His words were echoed by Commission Bob Gustafson who said there ought to be an incentive to encourage clustering, especially with a joint sewer system.

Commissioner Ben Montzka, however, did not agree and urged the board to wait for any action on this amendment until the countyís planner is on board, which should be soon.

Montzka was alone in his thinking, and a motion by him to deny the request died for lack of a second.

5th Dist. Commissioner Mike Robinson, who represents the board on the PC, said it was a step in the right direction, a good land use within the county.

Saying the county should look at the best way to develop its land, Commissioner Bob Vande Kamp said the ordinance change would give the planning commission another tool.

As noted by County Administrator Jim Thoreen, because this is a revision of the zoning ordinance it needed a public hearing at the board level.
Discussion at the planning commission, he said, was not considered the public hearing.

The only action taken last wednesday was to accept the concept and call for a public hearing.
John Feges, who was on hand for the board meeting last week, agreed to allow for an extension of time on his request to satisfy the 60-day rule. He would be doing so in writing, he said.

The 60-day rule is incentive for counties to expedite planning and zoning requests within 60 days. Unless there is formal agreement by the person requesting action, at the end of 60 days, if the county has not come to an agreement on the request, the requested action automatically becomes effective.

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com