Moratorium task force takes on varied concerns

Landscape buffers, property setbacks and building standards are items the Highway 371 commercial development moratorium task force expects to examine.

Task force members Thursday were still trying to identify their roles as they looked at the Highway 371 commercial moratorium.

Crow Wing County Board Chairman Terry Sluss said the Unorganized Territory Comprehensive Plan is in place now, but ordinances need to be made. Consultant George Orning said he wanted to bring the group up to a basic understanding of the existing comprehensive plan and the why behind the language.

Commercial development is largely limited to Highway 371 and Highway 25. Getting a grip on the general commercial standards is expected to be the group's biggest test, Sluss said.

Dan Witt, property owner on Highway 371, questioned what specific concerns led to the moratorium.

"The plan was not implemented, it was just adopted," Orning said of the comprehensive plan guidelines, noting standards were not set. Orning said the task force will concentrate on the Highway 371 corridor but it will affect other parts of the county and neighboring zones.

Witt said standards have to be livable for development.

Crow Wing County Commissioner Ed Larsen said he receives comments from people who want high standards because they want their own investment protected.

The group is working toward a May 9 recommendation deadline. Members requested more visual information with zoning maps, overlays and photographs and members of the task force and its advisory groups are set to meet again in two weeks.