Posted: 10/8/03

Township will surrender land to help area

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

Theyíll give it all up for progress. That was the decision the Wyoming Town Board of Supervisors made last week as they unanimously approved an orderly annexation agreement with the city of Wyoming.

The township agreed to the annexation of about 611 acres of land for the sole purpose of providing land for the proposed Polaris Industries research and development facility.

The seven page agreement, drafted by Township Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick and Wyoming City Attorney Tom Miller, is one of compromise.

ìIf Polaris doesnít purchase that parcel then this becomes null and void,î Fitzpatrick said.

While the township had suggested a five year moratorium on city initiated annexation of the township, the agreement calls for a three year. But those three years are more limitedówith the city agreeing to not petition nor support annexation on areas abutting the Polaris site.

ìI think itís a far better proposal than what was initially being offered,î Fitzpatrick said. ìIt limits the annexation to what we always wanted to limit it to.î

While the city had suggested annexing a strip of land along the route of the sewer pipe up US-8, the agreement favored the township.

Sign of the times

However, Fitzpatrick warned, annexation may be unavoidable in coming years.

ìThe Polaris facility coming in will by its very nature cause the area to become more urban and thatís what it will do,î he said.

ìPolaris will make the area more attractive to annexation.î

Supervisor Scott Walberg said he supported the agreement.

ìYouíve got to give a little and take a little so I guess Iím in favor of going for it,î Walberg said.

Supervisor Ron Swenson said he was satisfied with the agreement but lamented the lack of tax dollars coming in. If Polaris comes in it wonít pay taxes for 10 years and then the dollars will go to the city and Chisago Countyónot Wyoming Township.

ìI would have hoped we could have gained some more but I guess this is the best we could do,î Swenson said.

Fitzpatrick added Polarisí value would come from several outlets.

ìThe value is coming not so much from the taxes Polaris will not pay, but the jobs that come in,î he said.

Supervisor Richard Berglund said the township also would benefit from the sewer line.

While they wonít connect now, having the line and stubs available will help in the future, he said.

Wyoming is one of two areas Polaris is considering for the new research and development facility.

Osceola, WI, where Polaris has existing facilities, is the other contender.

A decision by Polaris, on Minnesota or Wisconsin, is reportedly imminent.

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