4.6. SR 04-20-1998.y of
,iver
Item #4.6.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, Cit:y Adm~~r
April 20, 1998
SUBJECT:
Discuss Sherburne County Proposed
Moratorium on Feed Lots and
Residential Subdivisions in Rural
Portions of the County
Sherburne County is considering an interim ordinance (moratorium) on zone
changes, new residential subdivisions, and feed lot permits in the rural
portions of Sherburne County. This moratorium will not impact the City of
Elk River. County Commissioner Engstrom has asked for the City Council to
review and discuss this proposed moratorium and, if appropriate, to adopt a
motion in support of the county's proposal. Attached for your information is
the pubhc notice on the interim ordinance along with the recent Elk River
Star News article on this proposal.
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\council\scmortor.doc
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Sherburne County Zoning
13880 Hw/I0 · Elk I~.r, HIi 55330 · 612-241-2900 · Fzc &12-241-2910
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 8, 1998
Contact: Brian Bensen
612-241-2900,
Fax: 612-241-2910
Sherburne County, MN--
Interim Ordinance
Sherburne Commissioners to Consider Moratorium on Feed Lots & Residential Subdivision-~
The Sherbume County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at the Big Lake High
School at 7p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 I, 1998. The purpose of the meeting will be to consider a
proposal to adopt an interim ordinance (moratorium) on zone changes, neTM residential subdivisions,
and feedlot permits in the rural I~..rtions~f Sherbume County. The Conunissioners will listen to the
comments and opinions of the public relating to these issues, and will also accept written comments.
Sherburne County is currently the fastest growing county in Minnesota.
The purpose of a moratorium is to allow time for citizen participation and input in the formulation
of regulations, and time for serious deliberation by town boards and the County Commissioners.
The moratorium will not stop construction of homes on lots already approved, nor will the proposal
affect issuance of building permits. The county has a significant inventory of vacant lots already
approved for building purposes during the moratorium.
The proposal would allow splits of large tracts (20 and 40 acre parcels) to proceed. It would also
allow one and two lot subdivisions, sdch as parents splitting off a lot for their daughter or son, to
continue.
The proposal to consider a moratorium for up to a one year period is based on a number of planning
projects, not yet completed, that will impact future development. The moratorium will allow more
careful consideration of the results of these efforts. First, the County Highway Department is
currently finishing fmal drafts of the County Transportation Plan. This Transportation Plan will be
a very important tool when making future land use decisions.
Next, the County Comprehensive Land Use Task Force is nearing the end of a six month review of
current County land use policies. The Task Force, made up of citizens fi.om throughout the County,
will be making recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding proposed changes in
Count3' ordinances. The Task Force is considering alternative development styles, such as clustering
of home sites and requiring open space, in future rural residential developments.
Also, the St. Cloud Areas Planning pilot project has been given funding by the Minnesota
Legislature to coordinate the St. Cloud area land use plans of the three counties and five cities in the
planning area. Special emphasis will be placed on defining the areas (urban service districts) where
cities will be able to provide municipal utilities over the next 20 years. In coming years, similar
urban service districts will be defined around each of the cities in Sherbume County.
Finally, the confusion over state vs. local regulation of large animal feedlots has not been resolved.
Although Sherburne County has not yet experienced requests for new, large commercial feedlots,
concern has been raised that the County may not have sufficient tools or environmental controls to
regulate conflicts between rural residences and feedlot operations.
A copy of the proposed Interim Ordinance is available for inspection at the Sherbume County Auditor's
Office, 13880 Hwy 10, Elk River, Minnesota 55330 Any questions may be directed to Brian Bensen,
Planning and Zoning Administrator, 13880 Hwy 10, Elk River, Minnesota 55330. Written comments
may be directed to David Loch, Sherbume County Administrator, 13880 Hwy 10, Elk River, Minnesota
55330.
Moratorium
in county
is planned
Sherburne County wants to
clamp a one-year moratorium
on zone changes, new residen-
~1 subdivisions and feedlot
permits in the rural parts of
the county.
This would affect the unin-
corporated areas of the county.
A public hearing on this pro-
posed ordinance will begin at
7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 at Big
Lake High School..
Brian Bensen, planning and
zoning administrator, said the
moratorium will not stop con-
struction of homes on lots
already approved.
It will not affect the issuance
of building permits.
The proposal would allow
splits of large tracts (20 and
40-acre parcels), and it would
allow one and two-lot subdivi-
sions, such as parents split-
ting offa lot for their daughter
or son to continue.
The moratorium would:
· Give the county a chance to
update its comprehensive land
use plan (under way by a plan-
ning task force).
· Give the county highway
depaxtment an opportunity to
finish f~nA! drm°cs of the coun-
ty transportation plato
· Develop with the St. Cloud
Areas P]snnlng project defin-
ing urban service districts
where Miles will be able to
provide municipal utilities
over the next 20 years.
· Sort through the confusion
raised over local or state regu-
lailon of large animal feedlots.
Although Sherburne County
has not experienced requests
for new, large commercial
feedlots, there is a concern the
county may not have sufficient
tools or environmental con-
trols to regulate conflicts
between rural residences and
feedlot operations.
A copy of the proposed inter-
im ordinance is available for
inspection in the Sherburne
CountyAuditor's Office. 13880
Hwy. 10, Elk River. Qu~silons
may be directed to Bensen-
Written comments may be
directed.~, to David .,, Loch, ~
'$herburnb-:C0~nty adminis:' ¢
· .trator. ,,. .._.:,. ~. ~:.¢ : ~
Wednesday, April 15, 1998/Elk River Star News/7