Pat Tepoorten
Wyoming Township Reporter

The Wyoming Township Board convened Tuesday, Jan. 11 under the leadership of ChairmanÝRoger Elmore, whoÝundertook the dutyÝfrom Larry Parker for the first time.ÝÝRon Swenson was alsoÝvoted by the board to fill the duties of vice-chairman.

One of Elmore's first duties as chair would be to passÝordinance 05-01, aÝsweeping zoning ordinance that is described as ìan ordinance to protect the development of the Township of Wyoming, regulating the use of land, location, bulk, height, and use of buildings on lots providing for the administration and enforcement of such regulations.îÝ

The ordinance, which was based in part on recommendations from the University of Minnesota's Center for Rural Design, was discussed at length by board members, who proposed minor changes along the way.

Perhaps the most discussed section of the ordinance was that whichÝaddressed the need for increased impact fees, specifically in the area of park dedication. The park boardís suggested increase from $750 per lot to $1700 per lot was not greeted with excitement by Supervisor Ron Swenson, who opined that the fee would disproportionately affect owners of smaller parcels of land.

ìIt seems like a huge jump,î Elmore noted, ìbut it has not been raised every year. Yes, it hits the little guy, but it hits the big guy as well. Itís fair all around.î

ìI still maintain that it isnít fair to the little guy. $1,700 is too high,î Swenson replied.

A board discussion ensued as to theÝbenefit of the fees, whichÝare toÝbe used to maintain, improve and buildÝparks within the township.

Town resident Bob Bohnen advised the board that the township did not need any more ìkiddyî parks. ìHow about tennis or volleyball or basketball? We don't need any more bouncy toys,î Bohnen said.

Supervisor Scott Walberg responded that oneÝof the goals of the impact fees was to accumulate funds for thoseÝbigger parks.

The discussion didÝresult in a $200 decrease to the suggested impact fee, primarily at the behest of Swenson, who did not seem totally satisfied with the new $1500 figure.

As the board moved to other matters regarding the ordinance, it found itselfÝoccasionally interrupted by Bohnen who had expressed concern about parks, until Elmore instructed Bohnen to sit down and wait to be called upon.

ìWe're trying to maintain some decorum here,î Elmore scolded.

ìThis is ours, you know,î responded Bohnen, who did take his seat while noting to others in attendance, ìwe got guys dying for freedom. Weíre giving ours up. Everything they do is taking something away from us.î

With the addition of some other minor changes, including the use of decorative wood as a ìclass oneî construction material, and a reduction in the required amount ofÝclass one material from 65 percent to 55 percent, the zoning ordinance was passed unanimously.

Town hall talk

In other news, the town board decided to proceed with the 2006 budget calculations at its next meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 25.

It had been suggested that the possibility of changing township boundaries made it prudent to wait and fashion next yearís budget later in the summer, but that did not come to pass.

Along with the 2006 budget, the board is prepared to also proceed with a levy for the construction of a new town hall.

The decision to move forward with a ballot, however, will not be made until a decision is made regarding the future of the contested annexation with Chisago City.

According to Township Clerk Norma Olson, if the current boundary were to be maintained, the cost of a new building would result in a .015 percent tax rate increase for residents. Two examples she gave regarding that impact were land of $25,000 value, which would realize a $4 impact, and land of $425,000 value, which would realize a $62 increase. These calculations are based on a 15-year bond.

Provided the township boundary remains similar, if not the same, as the current one, the board is expected to pursue the funds for construction as a special ballot question in March. Were it to pass, construction could begin as early as the summer of 2005.

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