NB Council adds land to urban service area

By Barbara Brown
The North Branch City Council Monday night approved adding 160 acres to the cityís urban services area in a 4-1 vote.
Councilmember Amy Oehlers originally made motions against including the 160 acres just north of Wild Ridge on the west side of I-35 in the urban service area and changing the zoning from rural residential to a category that would allow smaller lots.
Both those motions failed for lack of seconds.
After discussion, the remaining four councilmen voted to accept the land in the urban service area and change the zoning.
Mayor Roger Else said Tuesday morning that he was going with what the cityís land use committee and staff thought was a good idea.
He said the land use committee had worked for more than a year coming up with plans for the land in North Branch and that those 160 acres on the west side of the city were looked at for future single family home development.
The council also:
ï Set a public hearing for Dec. 30 for Olsonís Power and Equipment to receive tax abatement.
ï Agreed to let the Water and Light Commission sell bonds to build a peak need generator.
ï Confirmed a 1938 council decision that preserved the land on which the North Branch Golf Course is situated as a golf course as long as the courseís association is in tact.
ï Added 15 days to the appeal period for the Alvin family, which is appealing the cityís assessment of more than $14,000 on their property due to the Grand Avenue sewer project. The appeal period was set to expire Dec. 12. The city and the family are working together to come to an agreement on the assessment.

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