Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

A motion and its second were withdrawn before final action was taken by the Linwood Town Board July 26 on a preliminary sketch plan for Sal Carlone, 6770 227th Ave. Planning and zoning had recommended approval of the proposed eight-lot development.

The recommendation was based on meeting established setbacks, payment of a park dedication fee, extension of Danube Street south along the eastern border of the plat and 225th west into the site. The street requirement is to meet public safety standards for emergency vehicles.

Three of the lots are slightly smaller than the 2.5-acre township requirement, because of the land required for the streets.

Carlone claimed the township requirements for the street construction place a hardship on his development. He proposed the township waive the park dedication fees, engineering fees, that the township be responsible for the final wear course on the streets.

He said the developer he was working with could not complete the project with the town terms.

Supervisor Rudi McCurdy did not want to set precedent by approving a project that did not meet township ordinances. Supervisor Marie Holm told Carlone other developers have to meet township code ordinances, and he would have to do the same. Supervisor Mike Parker agreed with Holm. Holm did reassure Carlone that the parks commission would request a park dedication fee in lieu of land.

One resident who lives on 225th is opposed to the project because he believes the through streets would add to the high speed traffic already on 225th.

Parkerís motion to approve the sketch plan with the lot-size variances, meeting existing building setbacks and all other codes was approved 4-1. McCurdy was opposed because of the variances in the size of three lots.

Other reports

Chris Lord, Anoka County Conservation District, said the township can benefit from a grant from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. Anoka Conservation District staff hired with the grant money can help with planning in the township.

Lord said Linwood is significant in having about 10 percent of all the natural communities in the metro area and about 29-percent of those in Anoka County.

Staff could help with vision for the township, identifying characteristics it wishes to retain; mapping, population projections, and space planning. Surveys of residents could help determine what is important to those already living here and what they wish to maintain. Change in infrastructure in neighboring communities has impact here, he said.

Supervisors approved the location of the planned sand/salt shed on the east side of township lot, behind the maintenance building. Since it takes about a day between the call for the materials and their delivery, the side needs final preparation. The site is staked, but the base must be prepared by clearing grass. Eagle Construction is scheduled to begin the work near the beginning of August.

Supervisors directed Clerk Judy Hanna to contact Midwest Fence again about completing a fencing project in Four Seasons Park.

On behalf of the township, Attorney Gerald Randall continues to push clean-up efforts on a number of junk lots in the township. He is enlisting the assistance of the Anoka County Sheriff to serve papers, since many residents contacted, do not accept certified mail. Township officials continue to pursue this aggressively.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïApproved the final plat of Turkey Ridge 2 development, on Typo Creek Drive.

ïApproved the language of the final election notice, which will be on the ballot in March. If approved, township elections will take place during November general elections, with a corresponding change in the terms of supervisors to four years. Language also explains interim terms.

ïPassed a resolution allowing Stacy Lions Club to sell malt liquor at the fire department dance, Oct. 8. Vote was 4-0, with Parker abstaining. He is a member of the fire department.

ïAccepted a letter of resignation from Angi Kittelson from her position on the Linwood Park Board.

ïAuthorized Hanna to publicize openings on the park board.

ïStressed that appeals for funds must be made at the township annual meeting. Requests for assistance for 2007 must be made at the March 2006 meeting.

ïWas asked to review proposed administrative policies for the conduct of town board meetings.

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