Crow Wing Township supervisors voice concerns over proposed annexation

BARROWS -- Crow Wing Township supervisors are hoping to have a say into a petition from Lively Auto/Mills to annex 640 acres of land from the township into the city of Brainerd.

Meeting Monday at Crow Wing Town Hall, township supervisors and Brainerd City Council members were given an overview of what could happen with the Lively Auto/Mills property, which abuts the south border of the city of Brainerd.

Lively Auto/Mills representative Tom Green gave a brief history of the land, which Mills bought several years ago from Potlatch. Green said the company wants the land annexed into the city and then intends to sell it to a developer. He said with the Highway 371 bypass Mills wouldn't be putting a store on that land and he believes the developer, whom he didn't name, would want to put residential development on the land.

"We'd like to bring it into the city so we can have it watered and sewered," Green said. "We don't think residential land that close to the city should be without sewer and water."

Township supervisors let council members know a number of their concerns with the proposed annexation, including how property taxes would be phased out from the township to the city, how much park land would be set aside, how increased traffic would be addressed, how setbacks to wetlands would be handled and if Brainerd's wastewater treatment plant could handle 640 acres worth of new residential property.

"We want to see how it affects the adjoining area, what's going to affect the people that live close," said Crow Wing Township Supervisor Scott Pakarinen. "We've got to protect our people."

Mark Platta, also a Crow Wing Township supervisor, said unlike past annexations, which have been contentious, the Lively Auto/Mills petition isn't as much of a concern because a large portion of the land is abutting Brainerd and Mills wants to be annexed.

Green noted no plans for developing the land have been made by the developer, nor has any time frame been set for the construction of the development. The land would have to be annexed before it is sold, he said.

Brainerd council member Bob Olson suggested Crow Wing Township supervisors put their concerns in writing and submit them to the city before the city council's April 18 meeting. Council President Kelly Bevans suggested township supervisors read Brainerd's ordinances to determine what the city can and cannot stipulate in development. Council member Mark O'Day suggested the property developer attend such future meetings to answer questions.

"You people would like to have some input and we're willing to listen, we want to hear your concerns ... and come up with the best possible usage for that land," Brainerd Mayor James Wallin said. "You people are our neighbors. We need to work together."

Oak Lawn Township Supervisor Mark Haglin reminded the Crow Wing Township Board that once the land is annexed, the township had no say in how it is developed. Haglin also asked if Crow Wing Township had thought about providing sewer and water for the Lively Auto/Mills property. Platta said he was hesitant about the township getting into cluster sewer systems.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.