Rush City council adopts zoning ordinance 4-1

By MaryHelen Swanson
Residents of Rush City now have an official zoning ordinance document to look to when needs arise for building, remodeling, adding a fence, a parking area and other important issues that surround living in a community.

The city council adopted the completed ordinance 4-1 at the Nov. 24 regular council meeting.
The opposing vote came from Councilman Bill Schneider who explained his vote after the meeting.

He said the planning commission was not willing to accept the changes that had been included regarding the parking of commercial vehicles or equipment exceeding 9,000 pounds in the residential district.

And, he said, as he is on the planning commission, that opposition included him.
The section on the parking of commercial vehicles has been changed so that such parking will not be allowed.

When council members objected to the changes at the last city council meeting, some revisions were made to give residents time to adjust to the new rule and find an alternative to parking their commercial vehicles near home.

The council reviewed the changes Monday night, with provisions being made for an interim use permit. That permit, which the council agreed should be allowed to be renewed three times (each permit will have an 18-month limit), will be offered only to those who already are parking such vehicles at their residence.

New residents in new developments will not have the option, and residents in the older part of the city who are not already parking such vehicles at home, will not be eligible for the interim permit.

A summary of the new zoning ordinance will be published in the paper. Copies of the ordinance will be available for use and viewing at City Hall. Individuals who want to purchase the complete ordinance will need to pay 20 cents a page for reproduction.

In a second motion, the council approved new fees to go along with the zoning ordinance. The city has had very few fees in the past, so this will be a change for residents.

Councilman Schneider opposed the fee schedule, also, saying the fees were too high and that ìthis little town doesnít need them.î

The cityís 2002 audit was reviewed by accountant Marcus Althoff. He did not find any glaring issues with the audit. He was rehired to do the 2003 audit.

The council also unanimously adopted a builderís agreement. City Administrator Daniel Hoffman said it would be used for new construction within the city.

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