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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974.04.30 PC Minutes • s•, Minutes of the Washington County Planning Advisory Commission • Meeting held April 30, 1974 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 0.m. in the Washington County Office Bldg Cafeteria by Chairman Lundquist. MEMBERS PRESENT Bill Lundquist, Ken Whitaker, Graham Anderson, Harold Hohit, Ed Spiess, Pat. Gannaway, Wes Scheel, Fred Ottem, and Ed Lemmerman. OTHERS PRESENT Bill Schwab, Lyle Doerr, Dennis Welsch, Don Raleigh, Peggy Ryan, Chuck Swanson, Bill Peterson, Jim Broede, Darrel Drier, John Luger, Pat Luger, & Rep. of Marine. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • The minutes of the March 26, 1974, meeting were approved as submitted. LAND USE & ZONING ANALYSIS -- HWYS 212, 36 & 5 INTERSECTION Bill Peterson of Design Planning Associates, Inc reported on the study they have conducted for the area, giving a brief background and bringing the Planning Advisa'y Commission up to date on the matter. He noted the current study objective has been to review and determine if zoning changes should be made and also •that recently ( April 1974) an informal hearing was held. Mr Peterson distributed .a planning report to members present and then explained the maps on display which denoted existing land use and zoning. He said a PUD gives the best control and they favor and recommend it. Following a general discussion, Bill Schwab stated this matter had been brought up at the request of interested parties. He said the comprehensive plan. for the area is still valid and should be adopted. A public hearing would not be necessary but he felt a meeting would be appropriate to explain to the landowners what has been done. Motion was made that the Planning Staff hold such a.meeting with . the three communities and property owners involved. Seconded and carried. COUNTY BICYCLE TRAIL SYSTEM Dennis Welsch introduced a plan for a countywide trail system, noting that some of the points presented could be considered as policy and some as goals. The use of right-of-ways, type of vehicles permitted on the trails, cost of construction, and location of trails were discussed. PAC Minutes - 4/30/74 Page 2 Chuck Swanson said one objective is to connect the county's major recreational areas with bike trails. He displayed a bike trail mai prepared by the committee and pointed out existing trails; proposed trails where no additional right-of-way is needed; and those where right-of-way would need to be acquired if a bike trail were constructed. He also noted that some federal funds have been granted to Minnesota for trails and Washington County could apply for funding. • A representative of Marine on Si Croix presented a Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission committee report regarding bike trails. He told the Planning Advisory Commission the M-WBAC had adopted a concept for establishing an interstate bicycle trail system in the Lower St Croix Valley. He said interest in such a system was very good in the Marine area. Graham Anderson moved that the Planning Advisory Commission adopt the plan map for trails as a concept and recommend to the County Board of Commissioners an order of priority for trails; also that the County Highway Dept provide for grading of trails on roads which are on the plan at the time these roads are under construc- tion. E Spiess seconded. Carried. A motion was made by G Anderson and seconded by F Ottem that the policy plan accompany the plan map adopted. Motion carried. Bill Schwab suggested a change for the plan map: that a trail proposed for Manning Av N be moved to County Road 55 since Co Road 55 is scheduled for reconstruction next year: There was a unanimous vote of appreciation to the bike trail committee: Chuck Swanson, Bill Schwab and Fred Ottem, for their reports and work. It was decided to continue the committee with these same members. CONTRACT ZONING The general concept of contract zoning was discussed. Don Raleigh advised that there are no major problems with restricting development in rural areas, but a regional plan and enabling legislation are needed. Open space would be preserved and tax consideration could then be given. He suggested working with the Metro Council and the plan they have. The matter was postponed until the next meeting when it is planned to have a Metro Council representative present. GENERAL DISCUSSION Wes Scheel reported that the County is currently establishing government section corners at all 1/2 mile points. He said the recently appointed County Surveyor will continue this work for the County when lie begins employment May 16, 1974. Fred Ottem recommended setting up a park committee to work with the County Board. • Following discussion regarding the need for a park plan, a motion was made that a committee be set up with Fred Ottem as liaison and that this committee report and recommend to the Planning Advisory Commission. Motion was seconded and carried. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.