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Riverway moratorium liftedBy MaryHelen Swanson The moratorium on subdivision of land near the St. Croix and Sunrise rivers has been lifted by a 5-0 vote of the Chisago County Commissioners. The resolution, presented by Commissioner Lora Walker Feb. 4, called for reinstating subdivision regulations that were in effect before the Dec. 17 motion that placed restrictions on subdivisions one mile west of the St. Croix and one-half mile on either side of the Sunrise. The resolution also sets in place provisions for work sessions and public hearings at the planning commission on proposed changes to the countyís zoning ordinances. Commissioner Ben Montzka said he supported lifting the moratorium now because county staff is ready to move forward with the hearing process. Walker said she hoped the process would move along as quickly as possible. She had originally set March 31 as the date to have PC work sessions and public hearings completed. The date was removed from the motion by friendly amendment. The boardís action to lift the moratorium drew applause from the audience. In a second unanimous vote, the board adopted another of Walkerís resolutions setting forth the scope of initial studies for the areas around the two rivers. The issues to be studied include bluff and setbacks, conservation design and landscaping, utility placement underground, tree planting as a buffer, avoiding fragmentation of woodlands and a natural resources inventory. The board action was taken after the public forum during which a number of citizens spoke to the moratorium. The speakers included former county commissioner David Johnson who said the board lost credibility when it made the decision to put the moratorium in place Dec. 17. He also suggested that if the land around the rivers is to be preserved, the landowners would have to be compensated. Tom OíMara asked how the board determined what the majority of county residents wants. He suggested that the board consider how to get public input, do a study on costs of changes to zoning regulations and that the county hire a professor or other third party to run the numbers. Kevin Mold, a life-long resident of the county and dairy farmer, took exception to the idea that only developers were opposed to the moratorium. He told the commissioners to listen to their constituents. Resident Lona Barnes reminded the board that landowners and farmers have taken care of the land and should be compensated. Dave Whitney, who moved into the county in 1976, urged the board not to rush the comprehensive plan. He didnít think there was anyone who didnít want open spaces and he, too, agreed landowners should be compensated. Michaela Toohey, who works for the Realtorís Association, noted that over 300 members of the association live in this county and donít oppose reasonable planning and zoning. She said the public process must be open and fair and that adequate notice must be given before the board makes a decision. Among the speakers was Dan Adair, landowner within the half-mile area from the Sunrise River, who supported the moratorium. In other business, the commissioners: ï moved to rescind a motion that had been adopted in August of 1997 that limited reconsideration of an adopted motion to within 60 days. This action was taken upon advice of the county attorney; ï discussed a set of rules of conduct for county board meetings relating to citizen input, recording devices, etc. The board agreed to re-address the rules for adoption at the Feb. 18 meeting; ï set a public hearing for a tax abatement for Polaris for 10:15 a.m., Feb. 25; ï authorized the sale of $1.5 million G.O. Capital Notes (for equipment) and $4 million G.O. State-Aid Road Bonds with bids to be considered March 3. Road projects covered under this plan include a portion of the following county state aid roads: CSAH 23, CSAH 37, CSAH 7, CSAH 3, CSAH 9, CSAH 1 and CSAH 19; and ï approved an increase in the half- time Victim Witness secretary position to 3/4-time (12 hours/week increase) upon the request of County Attorney Katherine Johnson. A full-time secretary position also requested was referred to the budget committee. ©ECM Post Review |