Board chairman allows public to speak

By MaryHelen Swanson
More than 100 people waited for nearly two hours in a separate room at the government center last Wednesday when it became apparent they would not fit into the board room for the discussion on land use planning and a potential moratorium on residential development.
The people had been encouraged to come to the board meeting by an article in local papers written by board chairman Commissioner Ben Montzka.
It became obvious many were there to protest a moratorium on residential development in the countyís agriculture districts.
The commissioners conducted other business in the regular board room first, recessed the meeting and moved to other room where the people waited.
This portion of the meeting had not been advertised as a public hearing, but chairman Montzka made exception to the rules and asked for a show of hands of those who would like to speak. He counted about 40 and said he would give them one minute each to talk.
Eventually, 23 people spoke with Montzka demanding decorum by using his gavel and warning that outbursts, comments, applause or even laughing out loud would not be tolerateded.
As discussion got underway, Commissioner Bob Gustafson wondered what was going to happen. He said agenda items like planning issues were generally discussed at a board meeting first, and then a public meeting is set. ìItís kind of backwards,î he said.

Continued from front
Fifth District Commissioner Mike Robinson agreed with Gustafson, the agenda item was proceeding backwards. He said the board shouldnít be setting the agenda in the newspaper.
Commissioner Lora Walker said she had talked to a lot of constituents who would like to have input on land use issues.
Commissioner Rick Olseen suggested that since so many showed up, the board should allow them to speak.
A man in the audience told the board that the meeting was not posted as a public hearing.
The man said residents who might have wanted to be at the meeting could not be there due to lack of parking spaces near the government center.
The man said he had to park at the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church parking lot, a significant distance from the government center.
At that point, Environmental Services Director Marion Heemsbergen introduced the new planner, Julie Runkel, saying the zoning department had not led anyone to believe the agenda item was a public hearing.
Heemsbergen said it was important to get out in the communities and get the input of people on land use issues. He suggested that phone polls also would be useful.
He said he would need direction from the commissioners on what they want addressed.
Heemsbergen suggested that as the zoning department gathered public input, he would report to the board every 4 or 5 weeks.
Gustafson agreed input would be good, but said it was out of line to take it at the meeting. He said he would not vote on any policy that day.
Olseen said the countyís comprehensive plan was good, but out of date, and that zoning ordinances should be aligned with the comprehensive plan to better reflect todayís planning.
He asked Heemsbergen if the planning and zoning department could continue to function while revisions are underway of the countyís comp plan and zoning ordinances.
Heemsbergen said the newly hired planner would help with that.
Meetings around the county, and talk with citizens would not interfere with the regular zoning work of his department, he said.
Robinson said only one thing ñ that he was against any moratorium.
Montzkaís gavel was put in motion and he warned the audience a second time about outbursts when they laughed.
When the public comments were over, a man asked if Montzka would ask for a show of hands on how many want a moratorium.
Montzka refused to take the poll.
Because the board appeared to favor a schedule for meetings around the county for public discussion, Heemsbergen said he could have something ready in about a month.
But he said the planner, Runkel, would not be officially on board for 2 to 3 weeks.
Gustafson said he didnít see the rush.
ìItís not an emergency,î he said.
Robinson didnít see any hurry, either. ìThings arenít that bad,î he said.
Montzka said two elements should be looked at with an open mind.
First, is the county adequately providing areas which will be zoned commercial and, second, is the county adequately preserving significant environmental areas such as the St. Croix River.
Olseen worried openly about what the county would look like in 10 years.
He said he was concerned with density issues and encouraged people to stay involved. He said a review of the comp plan is important.
Walker said she had no demands for the zoning department as the moratorium question was not her agenda item.
Walker said she hoped the county would not divide the people, saying she feared a battle of new-comers against long-time residents.
Heemsbergen didnít think a motion was needed to direct his department to prepare a schedule of public meetings for the board.
He told the commissioners to look at the comp plan and zoning ordinances and point out issues of concern.
Heemsbergen said he planned to receive thorough public input.
Montzka asked the commissioners if they agreed to have Heemsbergen develop a formal schedule within a month.
Robinson said no and Gustafson said he didnít see the rush.
Olseen motioned, with Walkerís second, to have Heemsbergen work on a schedule for the board to review in a month.
The motion passed 4-1 with Robinson opposing. After the meeting he explained his objection.
ìThe whole process was wrong,î he said, ìItís all backward.î
As the item concluded, the man up front stood and shouted to the people for a show of hands opposed to a moratorium.
Many hands raised as the crowd dispersed.

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