5-28-97 growth mgmt task forceMay 28, 1997
The Growth Management Task Force (GMTF) held a joint meeting with
the Town Board. Members present were as follows: Co -Chairs Blair
Joselyn and Kevin Nickelson, Dan Booren, Charlie Ellis, Mary
Lanz, LaVayne Dupslaff, Terry Dreyer, Don Hogle for Gary Hogle,
Richard Tetzlaff, John Borchert, Colleen Firkus, Consultant Peggy
Reichert. Town Board members present were Chairman Chuck Nordin,
Paul Rasmussen, Dennis Seefeldt, Bob Jensen and township attorney
Dave Hebert.
REVIEW PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF COMP PLAN
The GMTF reviewed a preliminary working draft of the
Comprehensive Plan prepared by Ms. Reichert. While not a complete
document, it included much of the most important policy issues
that the GMTF had been discussing.
The following are items the GMTF discussed and suggested be
changed:
Shoreland (p. 19) Change wording to: "Limit the density along
undeveloped and unplatted portions of lakeshores to 1 unit/2.5
acres for Recreational Development Lakes and 1 unit/5 acres for
Natural Environment Lakes."
Previously the GMTF-discussed leaving all lakeshore 5 acres
per unit, which is the current ordinance. There was some
discussion as to why we would want to make the ordinance less
restrictive now and allow 2.5 acre lots, and allow developed 5
acres lots to further subdivide.
Three options were discussed:
1) All lots 2.5 acres; allow further subdivision on 5 acres lots.
2) All 5 acres and encourage clustering.
3) Undeveloped, unplatted areas limited to 2.5 acres versus the
County's 1.5 acres and 2 tiers of lots.
The GMTF decided to recommend changing the current zoning from 5
acres to 2.5 acres per unit on undeveloped, unplatted lakeshore
lots. This provides a framework for decisions on future
requirements for minor subdivisions.
St. Croix River Corridor (p. 19) Ms. Reichert asked if we wished
to treat the corridor differently than the GR-AG (4/40 density;
lots greater than 20 acres or mandatory lot averaging/clustering)
or to allow 10 acre lots. A decision was made to suggest the
river corridor be treated Like the GR-AG areas to be consistent
and not allow 10 acre lots.
Rural Village Center Policies (p. 21)
The market demand for and feasibility of affordable housing such
as apartments or townhomes was discussed. The GMTF would prefer
to keep such units near the village center rather than allow high
density units out in the GR-AG areas. The County ordinances would
allow multi -house units in a cluster development. Privately
owned, higher density units would not be feasible without central
sewer and water. Any plans for such would have to include a
common but privately owned septic and water.
May 28, 1997
Page 2
Item 6 - Commercial expansion should be allowed along Hwy 97
within the commercially zoned areas, not County Road 52. Can
rezone as commercial land is depleted.
Item 8 - Future schools should be located near town center, not
out at County 15 and Hwy 97.
General Rural-Ag Area Policies (p. 26 & 27)
Item 6. b) Change wording to "joint driveway access" at end of
paragraph.
c) New residence setback a "sufficient distance" from
designated arterial; actual number addressed in zoning ordinance
F. General Development Guidelines (p. 28)
2. Change the word "units" to "lots"
3. Rounding up applies to GR-AG areas only. Change wording to
1180% of last 10 acres".
4. Parcels ranging in size from 18 to 22 acres - change that to
18 to 23 acres
Ms. Reichert asked the GMTF members to send further comments or
suggestions to her as she will be working on a preliminary draft
of the Comp Plan.
Other Items
LaVayne Dupslaff suggested we recommend the Township adopt a new
policy to require platting on all subdivisions, minor and as well
as major. However, there was some question as to how State of
Minnesota statues applied on minor subdivisions.
It was suggested that we ask the Country Messenger to do a story
on the County's requirement to have new deeds recorded with the
County prior to October 1, 1997 or logs created under
subdivisions would have to be redone under the new ordinances
going into effect October 1, 1997.
It was decided to proceed with a community information meeting on
July 17, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Postcards
will be mailed to all landowners notifying them of the meeting.
Colleen Firkus
Secretary