Posted: 5/5/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
Five members of the Chisago County Taxpayers for Responsible Land Use group came face to face with the five county commissioners last Wednesday.
The commissioners were at last hearing from a group that has been causing commotion in the county recently.
The taxpayers group, which formed after the county board placed a moratorium on platting in areas near the countyís two major rivers last December, has been meeting with a large number of people specifically invited to discuss land use policies.
Present for the presentation of the results of a survey taken by the land use group were Loren Jennings, Connie Porath, Dave Whitney, Shane Stepp and Tom OíMara.
They discussion topics that have been considered by the group, giving some of the results of a survey taken by the people in that group.
Whitney acknowledged that letters were sent to specific people, that they had met March 20 in two different ìshiftsî at Shafer Town Hall and that there were 12 topics of importance to these landowners.
OíMara said the questionnaire showed that the people in the taxpayerís group favored one building site per five (or less) acres in agricultural areas as a responsible land use.
He said they believe there should be strong financial incentives for landowners who want to preserve their land.
OíMara said the survey indicated that the countyís comprehensive plan should offer incentives to encourage cluster housing. He also said these people feel that the countyís proposed new definition of ìbuildable lotî will hinder cluster development.
Jennings led off by saying his 401k is in his land. He said the people want to figure out a way to be able to give land to their children.
Continued from front
He said they like the idea of the transfer of development credits (TDC) (which promotes preservation of open space and allows for more denser clustering in other areas) but it should be used for the whole county, not just in the Chisago Lakes school district.
Jennings also said the people he represents donít think land should be condemned for trails.
Jennings went on to say that landowners should have written notice before an emergency moratorium is established and that zoning changes should not be made without considering the economic impact of such action.
Finally, he said the group believes the commissioners should use the countyís bonding power to purchase open space at market prices.
Responding, Commissioner Ben Montzka reminded the groupís representatives that the board did not vote to condemn land for trails. He said he liked the idea of countywide use of TDC and that he would consider the idea of bonding to buy open land.
Commissioner Rick Olseen told the group he thought they all had a lot in common as to the future of the county, especially regarding preservation of the rural nature of the area.
Commissioner Lora Walker said she could agree with the study of economic impact of proposed zoning changes. She also supported an extension of the TDC to other areas of the county.
Commissioner Bob Gustafson agreed that landowners should receive just compensation for land taken.
With no further discussion or comments from either side of the table, the board meeting moved on.
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