PUD moratorium extended one week

BAXTER -- Baxter's moratorium on planned unit developments, due to expire May 16, has been extended one week.

The Baxter City Council Tuesday unanimously approved extending the moratorium until May 23. Council member Mark Cross was absent.

City Planner Greg Wagner requested the extension to allow the final version of the planned unit development ordinance to be finalized before the moratorium expired.

Wagner said changes to the proposed ordinance were made April 12 and there wasn't enough time for both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the city council to review, adopt and publish the ordinance before the moratorium expired.

The purpose of Baxter's draft ordinance is to establish provisions for a planned unit development in which there is more than one principal building or use for a lot -- essentially cluster development -- as well as set standards for such developments.

Baxter placed a six-month moratorium on planned unit developments Nov. 16. Since that time the city has held several joint city council and commission meetings.

In other action, the council:

Heard a presentation from Col. Rich Weaver, Camp Ripley post commander, on Camp Ripley's activities for the coming summer and other events and improvements.

Awarded the bid for the 2005 Cherrywood Drive area, Section 6 and Northwood Estates Improvement projects to Tom's Backhoe for $1,211,094.

Heard from Baxter GIS/IS Coordinator Todd DeBoer that Baxter's Web site has been redesigned. The Web site can be viewed at www.ci.baxter.mn.us/.

Denied a conditional use permit application for outdoor sales and expansion from Menards. Wagner said Menards lacked parking spaces and stormwater retention for expansion.

Set interviews of applicant for the Community Development Director for June 4 at Hawthorne Inn and Suites. City Administrator Dennis Coryell said there are 25 candidates for the position.

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