Lino Lakes Comprehensive Plan Process Advances
Council reviewed its three-phase Comprehensive Plan Up-date process at the February 12 council meeting, recognizing the efforts of its citizen volunteers during the second phase of work on the Plan Update. Council voted unanimously to accept the 2030 Visioning Plan.
Over two dozen randomly selected residents of the city formed the Citizen's Visioning Committee, which participated for five months in the visioning project for the city. Two community-wide forums generated additional public input into the process.
The committee, chaired by resident Kathi Gallup, formally presented its work to council members in a presentation summarizing the "City of Lino Lakes 2030 Vision Plan." The plan addressed four vision elements, including:
... MoreHugo Council Revokes Lowell SUP
Centerville P&Z Close To Addressing Variance Issue
To hear the neighbors tell it, the property located at 14069 Finale Avenue North has been a problem since the spring of 1998, two months after its owner received a Special Use Permit from the Hugo City Council.
The SUP permitted the establishment of an auto repair and auto body business and allowed limited outdoor storage within a fenced yard. Located south of the Oneka Estates development just west of Hwy. 61, the property borders the new Kidzplace child care center on three sides.
Photo courtesy of Jason Nelson
... MoreHanzal Development Tabled Once Again
Centerville P&Z Close To Addressing Variance Issue
An eleventh-hour suggestion by developer Jeff Hanzal at the continued February 6 public hearing for his development on Old Mill Road seemed to spark interest in a Planning and Zoning Commission that was clearly reluctant to grant a key variance for one lot.
According to Hanzal, a Rice Creek Watershed District drainage easement and the Clearwater Creek floodplain behind proposed Lot 6 of the plat make it virtually impossible to meet setback requirements for a proposed home.
... MoreLino Council Approves Comp Plan Amendment
Master Plan For Hodgson/C.R. J Adopted
A unanimous council vote on February 12 recommending approval of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment incorporating the Hodgson Road/County Road J Master Plan followed two years of planning work and numerous public hearings. Even up until the final vote, council took comment from local residents and business owners, not all of whom were happy with the plan.
Wendy Jensen, whose family has owned one of the largest parcels in the area "since the early 1900s," said she was "very frustrated." She said she was unable to discuss her recently proposed development with council members as only one member "returned a phone call."
... MoreHugo Council Fields Citizen Audit Request
Denial Qualified By Request For Specifics
At its regular meeting on Monday, February 5, the Hugo City Council voted 5-0 to deny the request of 14 of its residents for a state audit of the city's finances. The discussion leading to the vote occupied the first half of the three-hour meeting.
The request, which received top billing on the evening's lengthy agenda, was submitted by letter dated January 20, 2007, and specifically asked the council to request an audit of the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.
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