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Writer says its time to hear from the other side of county development

To the editor:
In response to a guest commentary by the chairman of the Chisago County Board, Ben Montzka.
On Jan. 29, 2003, the Chisago County Board will begin discussions on what the chairman of the board, Ben Montzka, described as ìone of the most important issues facing our county in 2003.î
The issue Mr. Montzka is referring to is the growth of our county. For some reason I would have expected terrorism or our falling tax revenues to be higher priorities. Itís obvious Mr. Montzka has brought an agenda with him to the Chisago County board.
Specifically, the board is considering a moratorium on residential development of land currently zoned agricultural outside of city jurisdictions. Let me tell you why I believe this is irresponsible and an infringement on private landowners rights.
First, housing starts is one of the only sectors of the current economy that is flourishing. Instead of fighting this trend we should be embracing it. We are blessed with the resources in Chisago County to take advantage of this anomaly. Not only are we blessed with the natural resources and wide open spaces, but also the skill sets of our residents to facilitate this growth.
According to county statistics, more than 10 percent of our workforce is employed in the construction field.
The number of employers who hire these construction workers is more than double than any other industry. Now, if we take into account the underlying businesses in place to support this industry; for example, lumber and wood companies, specific retail and finance institutions, this percentage doubles to over 20 percent.
Let me reiterate, more than 20 percent of our countyís workforce facilitates residential growth.
With this statistic in mind, how can suppressing residential development be good for the economics of Chisago County?
In his recent article Mr. Montzka cites that our residential zoning policies have a direct impact to our lack of commercial industries in the county. He believes that by restricting growth we can concentrate on obtaining industry. I believe with strong leadership we can accomplish both goals.
Another point chairman Montzka made in his recent article is that one of the consequences of residential development is the loss of farmland. I do not disagree with this fact, however, I have to challenge Mr. Montzka on whether he had the power to make this decision.
For years, our local farmers have struggled to make a living. The family farm, in this county, is becoming extinct. Siblings have left the farm for more prosperous employment leaving their aging parents behind. Finally, when the fruit of their labor is about to be realized, the government decides to step in and tell them they cannot sell their land, or at least to a non-farmer.
This infringement should be reserved for social or communists governments.
Tell me, what farmer is willing to pay $1 million for 100 acres. I grew up on a 100-year-old family farm. My grandparents and parents still live on the farm in Pine City. Iím sensitive to this issue, but at the same time Iím a realist. We donít possess the fertile ground in this area to sustain a profitable agricultural industry. We cannot compete with western or southern Minnesota where fertile ground is still more valuable than a housing development.
Finally, I agree with chairman Montzkaís position of preserving our countyís beauty. We are blessed with streams, rivers, lakes and forests. We need to find solutions that not only preserve this beauty, but also enhances it.
Again, itís these qualities that make Chisago County so desirable. This can and has happened with recent developments. Through setbacks, nature preserves, creation of parks and covenants we can and have maintained our natural resources. I truly believe a well-designed subdivision does less damage to the environment than a farm when you take into account chemical runoff and unnatural erosion of topsoil.
Itís time the county heard the other side of the story. I have been at local and county meetings and they are lopsided with anti-development constituents. I urge all residents both con and pro to attend this meeting and make our elected officials aware of our position. I especially urge those residents who work at a bank, stock groceries, pound nails, paint walls, trim homes, file title work, pave driveways, dig ditches, plumb toilets, install windows, sell parts, install furnaces, survey land, peddle tools, fill prescriptions, sell furniture, install carpet, install landscape, fix backs, stack lumber and finally, but not least, believe in the rights of private land owners to attend this meeting. We cannot continue to let a minority of our population control our governmentís agenda.
Eric Hanson
North Branch

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