Lino Lakes Ledger
Ordinance Change Aiding Refinancing Moves Ahead
The Lino Lakes City Council approved 4-0 the first reading of Ordinance No. 19-07 which would amend the city's zoning ordinance for the purpose of allowing people living on large, unsewered lots to seek reverse mortgages and other financing products that residents say would not otherwise be available to them due to mortgage industry underwriting requirements. (Mayor John Bergeson was absent.)
Council says the intent behind the change would be to allow property owners, especially seniors, the chance to use the equity built up in their homes.
"I do see this as a relief for property owners," Council Member Donna Carlson said.
The ordinance currently requires lots without city sewer to be a minimum of 10 acres in size, except for single-family homes constructed before July 13, 1992, when the zoning ordinance was amended.
The proposed ordinance change would permit an additional exception for the purposes of creating a new lot for the purposes of providing security to a third-party lending institution for owner financing. The type of mortgage would not matter, as the city attorney said the city cannot legally distinguish between a reverse mortgage and other types of mortgages in this case.
Lots created in this way would require a recorded covenant prohibiting lot transfers until the lots were recombined into the original parcel unless title to the smaller piece was acquired by the lending institution as a result of foreclosure. In that case, the property would remain subdivided.
"This is one of those actions that we'll take that . will mean a lot to the few residents to which this is applicable," Council Member Jeff Reinert said.
The Planning & Zoning Board unanimously recommended the council deny the amendment.
The second reading is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 12.
Council Accepts Strike Force Grant
By a 4-0 vote, the council accepted a $40,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Justice Programs to support assigning a police officer to the Metro Gang Strike Force (MGSF).
"The MGSF was established to coordinate efforts to prevent gang activity," Lino Lakes Police Chief Dave Pecchia told the council. "Assigning an officer to the MGSF is in accordance with the LLPD's philosophy of proactive policing."
The coordinated investigation, apprehension and prosecution of those individuals engaged in gang-related crimes is the primary focus of the MGSF. Police officers from 11 different metro area law enforcement agencies make up the task force.
In other action, the council:
. Passed a resolution in support of Anoka County's pursuit of funding for a 4-mile paved trail segment of the Rice Creek North Regional Trail that will extend from County Road J and Lexington Ave. through the Chain of Lakes Regional Park Preserve to the Lino Lakes Town Center and YMCA.
. Approved the transfer of $5,080 from the DWI forfeiture fund to the capital equipment fund.
. Approved the 2007 repayment installment of the temporary interfund loan for the recreation complex land purchased by the city in 1999.
. Approved two tentative offers of employment for the hiring of two additional police officers, one of which was contingent on the approval of the MGSF grant.
. Took additional public comment on the vacation of the drainage and utility easement on Lot 16, Block 4 of the Park Grove plat along Lonesome Pine Trail, and tabled the hearing and discussion on the matter until the Jan. 14 council meeting. Neighbors have raised concerns about drainage in the area; the city engineer plans to meet with them.
. Approved a 9-month extension of the preliminary plat and variance approvals for the two-lot subdivision Fran's Estate, located on the north side of Birch St. east of Totem Trail.
. Approved a 3-month extension of the final plat approval for Golden Acre, a four-lot subdivision on the north side of Lois Lane. Council also repealed a resolution previously adopting assessments for the project, as those assessments cannot be filed with Anoka County until the final plat is recorded.
. Accepted a petition from homeowners in the southeast corner of Lino Lakes who are requesting that the city pursue the extension of sanitary sewer and water into the West Oaks area residential area from White Bear Township. The township constructed utility stubs to the city line last year with the intent of serving the neighborhood. A letter providing more information to residents will be drafted and presented to council at its next work session.
. Approved a final pay request for the city's 2007 surface water management project, in the amount of $17,836.80, payable to Westco Environmental Services, Inc.
. Approved a payment of $6,776.82 to Pearson Brothers, Inc. for completion of the city's 2007 sealcoat project. This payment brings the project amount to $135,536.50 and starts the one-year warranty period.
. Aproved a change order for the Lake Dr./I-35W Improvement Project in the amount of 8,662.49 for the stabilization of a slope from the Marshan infiltration pond adjacent to a residential property. A low retaining wall will be installed as part of the work.