Some of you may know, but I’m sure most don’t, that Crow Wing County will be undertaking improvements to County Road 11 between Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes this summer. Improvements consist of a mil and overlay of 1 ½ inch of the driving lanes of the highway. This process is expected to take about a week. There will however be other improvements on each end which include storm sewer, pedestrian ramps and some curbing in Breezy Point. Final plans concerning the scope of work have yet to be determined.
The county has also decided to take a proactive look at Co. Rd. 11 and determine what other needs maybe apparent. The concerns are traffic safety near the Eagle View Elementary School, impacts of the bypass at Pequot Lakes, and the potential for an off road pedestrian/bicycle trial between the two cities. Some of these potential improvements could be address in 2012 while others may be acted on as long term improvements.
I think the issues of traffic flow and safety at the school are apparent to some degree. No one wants to see accidents or injury. All of us want the highway to function properly as well as the goal of keeping traffic moving.
With the bypass anticipated to be built in in 2018 there will be changes in traffic patterns. Some traffic will be diverted to that 4 lane road and as such impacts will occur with roads that feed that highway. One of the bigger concerns is the Bushman- Ackerson Road connection to the proposed access near Jenkins. These roadways have issues with design including sightlines, hills, access, and standards to which they were built. With additional traffic potentially using this, the county is studying the impact.
There has been, for years, discussion about a pedestrian/bicycle trail that would connect to the Paul Bunyan Trail in Pequot Lakes. The goal has been pursued by a number of supporters and would be a huge improvement to the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. It would also provide a link to Eagleview School as well as one to Pequot Lakes.
In looking at these issues the County has formed a task force and hired Transportation Engineering consultants to review theses issues. The task force has representatives from Breezy Point, The school district, Ideal and Jenkins Township and Pequot Lakes. These entities also have participation from law enforcement personnel who have an on the road view of how this roadway system works. The study will continue until March of 2012. There will be open houses for public comment but comments are also welcome at any time.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Non-Conforming Tax Forfeited Lot Sales
The City of Breezy Point is somewhat unique, even perhaps in Crow Wing County, in that there are numerous properties that have been tax forfeited. These properties take some time to work through the process before they can be offered for sale to others who wish to purchase them.
Breezy Point has lots that were platted that are not large enough to build on. Some areas have sanitary sewer access where lot size can be smaller. There are other areas without sewer which require significantly more property to build on. The lots that are too small for building are classified as non-conforming from a zoning perspective. The best use of these properties is to attach them to abutting property to create a buildable lot. In some circumstances abutting property owners would like a larger property.
After the county takes possession of tax forfeited properties, it goes through the statutory processes of disposition. One approach under law is commonly called the alternate sales procedure. The county determines if a property is non-conforming. If it is, they can offer the property to abutting landowners without going through all the hoops of a regular sale. This further supports abutting property owner acquisition and also supports the assembly of lots to make a property buildable.
This process involves notification to the city of a change in status of the property. Properties are designated Conservation (reserved) until the process of review has been completed. Changing the status to Non-Conservation allows the county to sell the property. The city, once notified, has 60 days to determine whether or not the property has a public purpose. The city is supportive of getting these properties back on the tax roles. To facilitate the process as quickly as possible the city has adopted a policy of staff review and approval to provide for the designation change. The city has streamlined the process so these properties can move to sale as quickly as possible.
Given the policy change, property owners who have an interest in an abutting tax forfeited property can contact the county to address the issue of purchase. If the property is determined to be non-conforming the county can request of the city a change to Non-Conservation. Once a property has been deemed Non-Conservation a property owner can work with the county towards acquisition of an abutting property.
Breezy Point has lots that were platted that are not large enough to build on. Some areas have sanitary sewer access where lot size can be smaller. There are other areas without sewer which require significantly more property to build on. The lots that are too small for building are classified as non-conforming from a zoning perspective. The best use of these properties is to attach them to abutting property to create a buildable lot. In some circumstances abutting property owners would like a larger property.
After the county takes possession of tax forfeited properties, it goes through the statutory processes of disposition. One approach under law is commonly called the alternate sales procedure. The county determines if a property is non-conforming. If it is, they can offer the property to abutting landowners without going through all the hoops of a regular sale. This further supports abutting property owner acquisition and also supports the assembly of lots to make a property buildable.
This process involves notification to the city of a change in status of the property. Properties are designated Conservation (reserved) until the process of review has been completed. Changing the status to Non-Conservation allows the county to sell the property. The city, once notified, has 60 days to determine whether or not the property has a public purpose. The city is supportive of getting these properties back on the tax roles. To facilitate the process as quickly as possible the city has adopted a policy of staff review and approval to provide for the designation change. The city has streamlined the process so these properties can move to sale as quickly as possible.
Given the policy change, property owners who have an interest in an abutting tax forfeited property can contact the county to address the issue of purchase. If the property is determined to be non-conforming the county can request of the city a change to Non-Conservation. Once a property has been deemed Non-Conservation a property owner can work with the county towards acquisition of an abutting property.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Update on All Veterans Memorial
The City Council reviewed the plans for the All Veterans Memorial at the September meeting. Activity for the memorial has been accomplished and completed for this year with the physical area of the memorial being brought up to grade and sodded. No additional work is scheduled for this year.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a sculpture that will be erected next spring. The sculpture was created by Jeff Kreitz and is really something to see. I believe those who have seen it feel it is a very beautiful and impressive. It is a somewhat spiritual representation of a non-descript veteran with a purple heart. Further plans at this time are yet to be worked out for 2012 with all expenses to be paid through donations to the cemetery.
In discussing the project Cemetery Commission Chair Gary Bakken thanked all those who have participated in the project. He indicated there is a good deal of planning and fund raising activity is to be accomplished before moving on with construction for 2012.
The City Council approved the activities for 2011 and asked for an update on the project prior to construction in 2012.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a sculpture that will be erected next spring. The sculpture was created by Jeff Kreitz and is really something to see. I believe those who have seen it feel it is a very beautiful and impressive. It is a somewhat spiritual representation of a non-descript veteran with a purple heart. Further plans at this time are yet to be worked out for 2012 with all expenses to be paid through donations to the cemetery.
In discussing the project Cemetery Commission Chair Gary Bakken thanked all those who have participated in the project. He indicated there is a good deal of planning and fund raising activity is to be accomplished before moving on with construction for 2012.
The City Council approved the activities for 2011 and asked for an update on the project prior to construction in 2012.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Park Equipment
I am amazed and pleased to see the use of the Breezy Point Park. Each year we see increased activity. The Park and Recreation Committee has been looking at park needs and planning for the future. A good part of that planning has been involved with improvements to the city park but other areas are also considered as part of the Comprehensive Park Plan. A Capital Improvement Plan is in the discussion stages and the hope is this can be adopted in the near future as part of the plan.
Funds have been budgeted for capital purchases on an annual basis. This doesn’t mean that funds are spent in the context of use it or loose it. Capital funds that are not expended are placed in the Revolving Capital Fund. This provides for and allows the city to purchase or make improvements to the park system that may exceed the annual budget.
One goal of the Park and Recreation Committee is to make improvements on an annual basis. These improvements would hopefully be in keeping with need that has been demonstrated but there are also improvements that create new opportunities. One of these being considered is a fishing pier along the channel off of Breezy Point Drive. When looking at demonstrated needs we have many times exceeded the existing capacity of picnic tables, trash containers and park benches in City Park.
This has been identified as a need that the Park and Recreation Committee has addressed. They have recommended that four picnic tables, two trash containers and a park bench be purchased for an expanded area of City Park. The City Council concurred with that purchase and these have been placed on order. The low quote for these purchases was $4121.28 which includes freight. Keep in mind park equipment needs to be far more durable than household use so products are more expensive than you may think. The city did receive 4 quotes with the highest quote for the same equipment being approximately $7600. Given that range I think the value for dollars spent is high.
The city hopes to see the new equipment delivered in the near future.
Funds have been budgeted for capital purchases on an annual basis. This doesn’t mean that funds are spent in the context of use it or loose it. Capital funds that are not expended are placed in the Revolving Capital Fund. This provides for and allows the city to purchase or make improvements to the park system that may exceed the annual budget.
One goal of the Park and Recreation Committee is to make improvements on an annual basis. These improvements would hopefully be in keeping with need that has been demonstrated but there are also improvements that create new opportunities. One of these being considered is a fishing pier along the channel off of Breezy Point Drive. When looking at demonstrated needs we have many times exceeded the existing capacity of picnic tables, trash containers and park benches in City Park.
This has been identified as a need that the Park and Recreation Committee has addressed. They have recommended that four picnic tables, two trash containers and a park bench be purchased for an expanded area of City Park. The City Council concurred with that purchase and these have been placed on order. The low quote for these purchases was $4121.28 which includes freight. Keep in mind park equipment needs to be far more durable than household use so products are more expensive than you may think. The city did receive 4 quotes with the highest quote for the same equipment being approximately $7600. Given that range I think the value for dollars spent is high.
The city hopes to see the new equipment delivered in the near future.
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