Zoning update nearly complete

Shoreland standards among last piece before zoning ordinance matches updated comprehensive plan

The Isanti County Planning Commissioner is nearly finished updating the zoning ordinance.

One last item to complete is changing the shoreland standards, noted Isanti County Zoning Administrator Tim Anderson.

The Isanti County Board directed the planning commission to adopt the state’s standards for lot sizes. Planning commission members questioned this move, and asked the board to give its reasons for the change.

In the 1990s, the county did match the state standards but opted to adopt more restrictive rules.

The state is currently updating its own rules and the new ones should be out within six months, according to Department of Natural Resources Area Hydrologist Mike Mueller.

During the county board meeting on March 16, Isanti County Commissioner Kurt Daudt noted that during the update to the county’s comprehensive plan, public input supported loosening the restrictions. “We need to respect that process,” he said.

SPORTS COMPLEX

Cambridge Township Board member Jim Fridstrom requested that the planning commission consider adding a section to the zoning ordinance to regulate sports complexes.

Right now parks are a permitted use in agricultural areas, according to Zoning Administrator Tim Anderson.

Fridstrom would like sports complexes to be governed by the conditional use permit process instead, so that townships can place conditions upon the use. These might include restrictions on operating hours and how late lights can be on.

FRAUD REPORT

Family Services Director Penny Messer reported to the county board that in 2009 the county recovered $311,345 from various medical programs in 2009 and $10,170 from other programs (such as daycare assistance and food support). These funds include what was recovered through fraud investigations. She noted that the county can’t collect on any debt until the person affected has been off assistance for six months.

Messer also noted that from November 2009 to mid-February 2010, the county has opened 15 cases in the car program. This has served 21 adults and 31 children at a cost of $13,795. The average per case is $919.

In other business, the county board:

• Hired Mary Fjeld as a child protection social worker effective April 1.

• Renewed a contract with Janna King of Economic Development Services, who will continue to provide services for the county during the next year. Among her tasks is maintaining an active economic development authority in Isanti County. Her rate rose from $125 to $130 an hour.

• Agreed that Isanti County Administrator Kevin Van Hooser has successfully passed his one-year probationary period.

• Approved an on-sale liquor license for Do-Rite Roadhouse Bar and Grill, Inc. in Bradford, which will open on May 1.

• Approved waste hauler licenses for Waste Management of MN, Inc. and Monson’s Roll-Off Service.

• Set a public hearing for Tuesday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the Park Legacy Grant application for three boardwalks and a viewing platform at Anderson Park.

• Learned that public health has given 3,000 residents H1N1 vaccines this year, according to Public Health Preparedness Coordinator Tony Buttacvoli. The department was assisted by volunteers who logged 180 hours. In the 14-county region, over 30,000 vaccine were administered.

• Approved sending local legislators a letter of support for the Sentence-To-Service (STS) program. The Legislature is considering eliminating the program. “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Commissioner Larry Southerland, who formerly served as the Isanti County Sheriff. The STS program provides community service for the county, as well as other local entities.