First development in credit transfer approved

By MaryHelen Swanson

There was mild excitement at the Chisago County board meeting last week because the first ever Transfer of Development Credit project was being finalized by presenting certificates of appreciation to the involved parties.

The Transfer of Development Credits (TDC) program broadly consists of taking the development credits from more rural areas, called sending areas, and transferring them to more urban areas, called receiving areas.

The sender then will not be able to develop his or her land, but the land that received the credits can be developed in a more dense manner than otherwise allowed. The sender is compensated for the development credits. The sending land may be used by the owner, but may not be developed according to county standards, for perpetuity.

The intent of the program is to preserve farmland and the rural atmosphere of Chisago County, to protect property values and increase development options.
It is specifically meant to preserve sensitive natural areas, and lands of undeveloped land designated in this county as the Green Corridor.

Understandably, when the land is preserved, wildlife habitat, scenic views and woodlands and vegetative areas are also preserved.

Participating in this first project are farmer Gerald Koran who is the sending partner.

Kevin Martineauís land will be the receiving area and developer Michael Serbus will develop the land.

Currently, the TDC is available only to county residents in the southern part of Chisago County. The TDC is available by ordinance adopted by the county board.
Following the certificate presentation, the commissioners approve the final plat for Carrolle Lake Estates, in Chisago Lakes Township, the development connected with the TDC.

12 more beds removed from Green Acres nursing home
The county board, after much discussion, approved, 3-2, to allow the de-licensing of 12 beds at the Green Acres Country Care Center effective immediately.

De-licensure of beds is final, the license will not be reinstate at a later date should there be a desire or need to increase the size of the facility.

With this action, the bed number is down to 108, the size of the proposed new nursing home facility that is currently in limbo.

In July, the board made the first reduction of 15 beds.
The second phase, the 12 beds included in last weekís action, were not scheduled to be de-licensed for about 14 months.

Commissioner Lora Walker expressed concern about the permanent loss of the beds.

The action is expected to save about $4,000 a month for Green Acres.

Downsizing the nursing home bed number will allow Green Acres to reconfigure some of the resident space, eliminating some four-bed wards and creating more single rooms, although they would not have private bathrooms.

Commissioner Walker and Commissioner Ben Montzka were the dissenting votes on the de-licensure. Montzka said he was uncomfortable with the bed reduction on the say-so of just one operator.

Reminder of circuit breaker for 2004 taxes
The board discussed the fact that a certain number of county tax payers might qualify for a special refund if their net property tax on homestead property increases by more than 12 percent and the increase is more than $100.

Information is included in Schedule 1 of the tax booklet. The board considered the possibility of including a notice with the tax statements of this refund.

To determine if you are eligible for this refund, read the Form M-1PR instructions and fill out Form M-1PR.

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