12/07/2005 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

WS-1 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 1 Date: Council Work Session, Wednesday, December 7, 2005 To: City Council From: Gordon Heitke, City Administrator Re: Forest Lake /Town of Columbus Incorporation Requests Background In September the City of Lino Lakes received notification from the State of Minnesota Department of Administration that the Town of Columbus had petitioned the State of Minnesota to incorporate as a municipality. Shortly, thereafter, the City was contacted by the City of Forest Lake inquiring as to whether the City of Lino Lakes would oppose the incorporation in favor of possible annexation of portions of the town into Forest Lake and Lino Lakes. Staff responded that due to the lack of municipal water and sewer services in the northern portion of Lino Lakes, current land uses, and comprehensive plan, at this time the annexation of a significant portion of Columbus Township does not meet the statutory criteria for the ordering of an annexation by the Director of the Office of Strategic and Long -Range Planning. In October the Forest Lake City Council petitioned the State to annex 655 acres of land located east of I -35 and I -35E, bordering the northern boundary of Lino Lakes. At the end of November, the Town of Columbus requested the City of Lino Lakes pass a resolution in support of the incorporation of the Town of Columbus. They have submitted a proposed resolution for your consideration. Staff Comments Both the requests of the City of Forest Lake and Town of Columbus would result in the City of Lino Lakes supporting one neighboring entity over the other neighboring entity. In addition to currently working with both entities on transportation issues, the City of Lino Lakes may find itself in the position of needing to work with whichever entity has jurisdiction in the future on local road issues, utility connections, etc. The decision on incorporation and annexation by the Director of the Office of Strategic and Long -Range Planning is based on 13 factors in cases of incorporation and 14 factors for annexation for 1