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| Comprehensive plan wins approval in Scandia |
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| Wednesday, 25 March 2009 | |
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Mary Bailey Scandia Reporter With one dissenting vote, the city of Scandia at its Tuesday, March 17 council meeting formally adopted the 2030 Comprehensive Plan that will guide development for the next two decades. Council member John Lindell, who served on the comprehensive plan committee, voted not to approve. He cited the $50,000 for consultants to develop the plan, plus another $50,000 anticipated for consultants to implement it, as poor uses of residents’ money. Lindell also said the major change made in the plan to decrease overall density did not reflect public input. This came about last October, near the end of the two-year process, when owners of large parcels of land objected to limitations on their development rights resulting from the proposed two lots per 40 acres in the agricultural core district. That provision was included to balance high densities elsewhere in the city, in order to achieve an overall density of one dwelling per 10 acres, as directed by the Metropolitan Council. To satisfy landowners, the density was changed to 4 units per 40 acres in the agricultural core. Under this final plan, full build-out would yield a density of one unit per 8.6 acres. The Metropolitan Council approved the plan, saying the maximum is unlikely to occur. Mayor Denny Seefeldt disagreed with Lindell. “The process was flawed,” he said, “but the majority were in favor of it. It was a democratic process.” Seefeldt referred to the significant cost in human capital that went into developing the plan. City Attorney David Hebert said Scandia’s first comprehensive plan had a 5-acre minimum, to let farmers get retirement money out of their land. New Park Rules Dogs will continue to be prohibited from Wind in the Pines Park. Because of the pristine quality of this 40-acre nature area, and its location next to the Falls Creek Scientific and Natural Area, no dogs are allowed. A sign in the park already prohibits dogs, but now city ordinance will agree. Wind in the Pines Park is located east of Highway 95 across from Pilar Road. Dogs on leash are welcome at all other Scandia parks. The new ordinance keeps the current park hours of 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. For lighted ball fields, where softball games often last until 10:30, permits granting later hours will be issued for the whole season. Park hours do not apply to city-owned boat launches. The Hay Lake picnic shelter and the warming house near the ice rink can now be reserved. Fees are higher for non-residents. A deposit to ensure clean-up is required. Permits for groups of 100 or more require council action. The new park ordinance includes no restriction of alcoholic beverages. To continue improving the city parks, Scandia will partner with the DNR and Carnelian/Marine/St. Croix watershed district. Plans for Wind in the Pines Park include completing the steep slope of the hiking loop. Lilleskogen Park, located in the heart of Scandia, will have a restored wetland and new trails. Support for 4-H The council passed a resolution requesting that Washington County continue to fund the 4-H program. The May 4-H club meets in Scandia. Vandeveer Visit District 52 Sen. Ray Vandeveer discussed state budget issues with members of the council. Topics included loss of state money from the Market Value Homestead Credit, Green Acres legislation, health care and the watershed bill. Vandeveer agreed with city officials that the city will receive little, if anything, from the state Market Value Homestead Credit plan. “It’s a tax cut that you’re paying for,” he said. “It was supposed to be reimbursed.” Fire Dept. Mike Hinz and Steve Yehle were appointed volunteer assistant fire chiefs for Scandia Fire and Rescue through March of 2011. Hinz became a member of the department in 1992. Yehle, a firefighter since 1998, has served as assistant chief since 2005. The next city council meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 7. Social Bookmarking ...       |
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