03-21-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--March 21,2005 2875 11. ORDINANCE #2005-1, Second readinQ/adoption of Cass County Comprehensive Plan Keith Berndt, County Engineer, and Mike Zimney, County Planner, were present for second reading of an ordinance concerning an update to the Cass County Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Berndt gave a brief PowerPoint presentation and said he has received input on the comprehensive plan from a number of interested parties, including the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead. Mr. Vanyo said he received telephone calls, letters and e-mails, and he assumed other commissioners also received some, citing concerns about the comprehensive plan. He said the plan before the board today is a guideline and the bulk of the work activity remains to be done. The time to take issue with any part of the plan will be once the details are specified. Mr. Wagner said he previously served on the county planning commission and heard a presentation on the issues caused by urban sprawl, including adequate roads, water and sewer systems. Mr. Bennett said Chapter Six of the comprehensive plan, from a literal point of view, gives the impression the county is promoting growth only in the municipality's extra-territorial area. Also, he said it appears there is a strong goal to maintain Cass County's rural land and he does not understand that when more income can come from developed property. Mrs. Sorum said she feels Chapter Six is too broad. She would support the suggested motion to establish a subcommittee to include planning commissioners, a developer and a banker on implementation of the ordinance; however, she does not think it needs to include the entire county planning commission membership. Don Dabbert, home builder/developer, was present representing the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead. The Home Builders Association is concerned about items in the comprehensive plan being too restrictive for growth, an overlap with federal and state policies, and it appears to encourage metropolitan growth, not conducive to other towns and townships located in the county. Mr. Dabbert asked for the county's consideration to delay taking formal action today so they can provide input. Mr. Vanyo said the purpose of today's second reading of the ordinance is to move forward to define the language that supports each of the guidelines. Mr. Pawluk said this plan is to allow growth to happen so that, as the area matures and the population escalates, it is structured so that it is acceptable to the people involved. Mr. Dabbert said they agree with orderly development, but want to be sure they can develop. David Wyum, developer, said he feels 60% of the comprehensive plan is a good document, and he encouraged involvement from other interested people in the area, along with the county's staff, Keith Berndt and Mike Zimney. He feels a strong ordinance will be produced that will allow for good development in the county. Mr. Wagner said the county planning commission members serve as a good cross-section of citizens who have shown an interest in planning on behalf of the county and its citizens. Mark Brodshaug, Fargo, was present as a citizen of Cass County. He believes the county is steering growth in the direction where future land use conflicts will be limited.