NB council makes zoning changes, proposes budget

By Barbara Brown
The North Branch City Council Monday night voted to change the cityís zoning code to make it possible for Chisago County to build a long-term care facility and a government service center in the city.
The county is proposing a new nursing home to replace Green Acres Country Care Center off Lincoln Trail.
The cityís zoning ordinance did not include nursing and assisted living centers as acceptable zoning areas.
The council voted unanimously to allow nursing homes and assisted living centers in North Branch as a conditional use in one residential and three business districts.
Chisago County also is proposing a government services office along Hwy. 68 south of 386th Avenue, but it needed a zoning change to move ahead with the project.
The council voted unanimously to approve the zoning change.
Also, in connection with the proposed government building, the city will ask the county to include a drivers license bureau in one of the offices, citing the distances North Branch residents have to drive to update their motor vehicle information.
The council also diffused a rumor that it planned to buy Tower Liquors, which is for sale.
The owners of Tower Liquors had approached the city, as well as several other potential buyers, and inquired about the possibility of a sale.
Two council members had had brief discussions with the owners, but nothing came of them. The council Monday night voted to not pursue the issue at this time.
The council also set a public hearing date for Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. to sell property in the industrial park to East Central Energy.
The power company plans to open a maintenance service area in North Branch.
In other business, the council:
ï Voted to increase the park dedication fee from $1,000 to $1,800 starting Jan. 1.
ï Approved a skateboard competition, hosted by the Youth Service Bureau. It is planned for Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the skate park.
ï Voted to submit a proposed levy of $2.1 million to the county. The county then works out tax impact rates and returns them to the city. At that time, more budget talks are held and changes are made if they are needed.
Finally, the council voted to accept a $125,000 grant from Cops in School that would pay for a police officer in the schools for three years.
Accepting the grant would save the school board about $20,000, according to city administrator John Moosey.
The council voted to offer the job to former Cambridge police chief Gary Lambert who is working as the interim police chief in Isle.

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