Board Minutes

for

December 11, 2001

 

PUBLIC HEARING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, December 11, 2001; 6:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Pavleck

OTHERS ATTENDING: Richard Lehtinen, Steve Blair, David Trompeter, Tom
Dougherty, Reg Emmert, Rod Bergstrom

PURPOSE: Receive public comment on the proposed Comprehensive Land Use Plan for
Koochiching County

The Board Chair opened the hearing at 6:00 p.m. The Environmental Service Director summarized for the Board and audience the process, which established the draft Koochiching County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The process took about two and one half years with work done by a steering committee, which had a technical advisory committee and hired consultant firms to assist them in producing the plan. Numerous public and committee meetings were held throughout the different phases of the planning process. The technical advisory committee involved Boise Cascade, DNR, MPCA, BWSR, NRC, Planning Commission and county staff. The product is broad based and contains an implementation plan (blue print) for the County for the next twenty to twenty-five years. The plan supports moderate growth with preservation and utilization of natural resources. He stated that the Planning Commission wants a role in the plan’s review and implementation after its adoption.

The Board Chair acknowledged written comment from the Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau addressing concern with the proposal to change commercial zoning to recreational zoning in the Island View area.

The Board Chair, before opening the hearing to comment, stated that he found errors and omissions in the draft plan and asked how these corrections would be made since the document appears to be in final form. The Environmental Service Director stated that changes to the plan from the point of adoption would have to be done by addendum. The Board Chair asked what the timeline was for adoption of the plan. The Director stated that after the public hearing process, the Board could adopt the plan. The only hurry for adopting the plan would be to close out our contract with ARDC this year. Commissioner McBride asked if it would cost the County more if the contract was not closed out this year. The Director stated only if we wanted them to do more work.

The Board Chair opened the hearing for public comment:

a. Tom Dougherty from Rainy Lake Houseboats in Island View was informed there may or may not be a proposal in the plan to change zoning in the Island View area from commercial to recreational. The Director stated that this recommendation is in the plan and the rational behind it was that recreation zoning coincides with the same general character of the area, including businesses such as marinas, resorts, motels, boat and sport shops, and requires a permit so that requests have to go through a public process. Under commercial zoning, businesses can be established without going through a public process and includes businesses such as retail shops, professional offices, and banks. Changing the zoning to recreational leaves the area recreational in nature. The Director stated that a number of the islands in the area are zoned commercial. Dougherty wants his business to remain commercial and believes other businesses in the area want this also. He stated that this issue was raised not so long ago and the people of the area spoke, wanting it to remain commercial. If you are looking at changing it, make it voluntary. Commissioner Chezick stated that the plan is a blue print and that recommendations will be studied and based on information received, decided. Public comment is part of the study process.

Steve Blair asked if the draft plan was distributed. The Director stated the plan was sent to all agencies represented on the technical committee, the steering committee and the Board. The remaining copies are in the office.

Rod Bergstrom, member of the steering committee, stated that the document represents general use and nothing is set in the plan. The plan is a document that contains a vision of how the community will grow and change and contains a set of plans and goals to guide land use decisions to meet community needs. Commissioner Lepper informed the Board that both the Chamber and CVB were invited to participate in the process but for whatever reason, did not attend any of the meetings. He stated that the plan recommendation was intended to protect people in the Island View area and stated that public input will be a part of the process for everything looked at in the plan.

Reg Emmert echoed Lepper’s statements. The plan is intended to protect what is there and frame of mind for that area (referencing Island View area).

The Chair stated that the Board would review the comments received on the proposed plan and make sure they are comfortable with the process before adopting the plan.

Steve Blair stated the draft plan was published prematurely as the draft has little errors and some inaccuracies. He believes the errors should be corrected and a final draft adopted, not corrected by addendum at this point. Commissioner Lepper agreed as did the rest of the Board.

Reg Emmert stated that this single document has more information about the County than any other document and agrees the adopted plan needs to be accurate. The Director stated that ARDC suggested that Appendix F (comments received on previous draft), be deleted from the plan and kept as part of the work file.

The Director reviewed a list of recommended changes and stated that these changes along with the errors and inaccuracies would be corrected and new pages inserted into the draft before adoption.

David Trompeter stated that information was requested in the sewer and water portion of the plan for the City of Ranier but it is not in the draft. He also noted that the City’s name was misspelled. Commissioner McBride also noted misspellings of other city names in the plan. Trompeter went on to say that the plan is flexible and the degree of flexibility is dependent on the interpretation and desire of the decision makers.

Commissioner Chezick stated that there is some urgency in looking at rezoning since our current ordinance is over ten years old. In asking how many of the drafts were out, the Director stated that only those sent to the committees and the Board (100 copies produced and rest remain in his office). Chezick stated that ARDC could provide the text file for corrections and these pages replaced in the drafts we have (also any other maps, etc. needing correcting). A letter would go to those having the current draft to return for updates. After adoption, the final plan will be stamped approved to indicate the final plan from any previous drafts. Chezick also stated that at some point changes have to stop so a final plan can be adopted. The plan has to be reflective of how things are as of the date of adoption.

Blair stated that the zoning map in the draft is inaccurate in some areas.

The Board Chair commended staff and committee members for their work on the plan.

The Director stated that based on comments received, it does not look like the plan will be adopted in December and requested input on how he should proceed in getting a review of the plan for errors and inaccuracies for correction. It was suggested that the Planning Commission, Steering and Technical Committees review/edit the plan to get the document cleaned up. Director stated the changes suggested in the draft would be provided to the Board so they are comfortable with the changes before adopting the plan.

00 The Board Chair closed the hearing at 7:15 a.m.