It's been six years since 150 Crosslake residents started working to update the city's comprehensive plan. The plan is now on paper and ready for the next step.
A draft of the plan will be presented for public comment at 7 p.m. July 24 at the Crosslake Community Center. If all goes well, the council will adopt the plan at its Aug. 11 meeting.
In 2002-03 a group of citizens formed the Crosslake Visionaries. Funded in part by a Healthy Community Partnership grant from the Initiative Foundation and a grant from Crow Wing Power, work began on the "Blueprint for the Future."
There are 41 lakes and 61 public water bodies within the boundaries of Crosslake. Added to the 2002-03 draft plan is a new section on transportation, including roads and trails. The plan includes a land-use inventory, demographics, housing, economic overview, infrastructure and community facilities.
Council members got a look at the updated plan at a special meeting July 3 at city hall. Ken Anderson, community development director, asked council members to review the plan and come back to the July 14 council meeting with any additions or corrections they would like included or deleted.
After the public meeting July 24, it will be up to the council to adopt the comprehensive plan and then revise the land-use map.
"It would be prudent to have both the plan and map in place," Rusty Taubert, council member and a member of the Crosslake Visionaries, said. "The comprehensive plan lists goals and strategies."
Anderson said the planning ordinances need to be consistent with the comprehensive plan. In the metropolitan area, the comprehensive plan is the controlling document.
However, Anderson said, the state Legislature ordained that for out-state Minnesota, the zoning ordinances were the controlling document.
Council member Steve Roe said the zoning map is a living, growing thing.
Anderson advised the council not to worry about trickle-down effect on cities. Things change with each legislative session. The important thing is for the city to start the process of adopting the comprehensive plan and for the council, with the help of the planning and zoning commission, to update the ordinances and the land-use map.
In other action July 3, the council:
Welcomed council member Irene Schultz. A formal motion was made welcoming her back. She took her place at the council table wearing a summer straw hat. While recovering from a stroke, she has kept up with city affairs and has been sent council minutes and communiqus.
Accepted the independent auditor's report prepared by Mayer, Porter, Beinhorn & Rowe, Ltd. The city's financial statements are in compliance. The auditors found no material weakness in the city's finances and bookkeeping. The city has adequate reserves.
Approved a resolution calling for the redemption of the outstanding general obligation sewer revenue bonds, Series 2003 B, for $690,000. The bonds will be redeemed and prepaid on Aug. 1.
Authorized planning and zoning to acquire updated aerial photography and topographic contour data from Crow Wing County for $7,400.
Accepted a donation of $250 toward the fireworks fund.
Approved partial payment of $8,588.90 to Dingman Brothers for work completed on the Anchor Point Road portion of the Lake Street and Anchor Point Road drainage project.
