Jessica Foster
Staff WriterThe community again had a chance to let their views be heard last week at a public hearing for the proposed city of Forest Lake zoning ordinance.
Community Development Director Doug Borglund, who crafted the ordinance along with Building Official and Zoning Administrator Keith Wille, Building Inspector Al Borsheim and members of the planning commission, presented an overview of the plan at the first public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 28.
The zoning ordinance, in the works for two years, will unite the former city and former township in its rules.
Changes highlighted by Borglund include less necessity for variances, minimizing zoning districts, relaxing the sign ordinance and preservation of the cityís woodlands where possible.
Shortly after the zoning ordinance draft was released on the cityís website (www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us) developers and some members of the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce raised questions.
The Chamber planned an informational meetingówhich the city participated in.
Some individuals have questioned timing and suggested more public involvement.
Terry Miller, a developer who resides in Hugo, talked at length during last weekís public hearing. He suggested approving the zoning ordinance should go slowly.
ìI spent five hours one night getting through the first 60 pages of the document,î he said. ìI have several questions and comments about ambiguities and issuesófrom small things that I consider typographical to some pretty major, major issues that I think deserve a lot of individual and public attention.î
He suggested the ordinance should be handled chapter by chapter, section by section.
ìTo have 21 days from when it was published to the public hearing I believe is a stretch.î
Pat Kelly, a member of the planning commission, said Millerís suggestion was not a feasible option.
ìYou could just not have a public hearing on every other issue,î he said. ìIt would never get done.î
At minimum, the city has to provide a public hearing at the planning commission level. The city hosted an informational open house on Sept. 15, met with the Chamber and scheduled two public hearings.
Planning commission workshops also are open to the public.
The city also has run legal notices on the ordinance and ran box ads promoting the open house.
Meetings
A workshop to discuss the zoning ordinance was at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 in the Forest Lake City Council Chambers.
A second public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 in the Forest Lake City Council Chambers.
The Forest Lake City Council regularly meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month, also in city council chambers. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12.
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