Baxter takes up concerns with planning, zoning panel

BAXTER -- The Baxter City Council on Wednesday addressed concerns about the Baxter Planning and Zoning Commission.

The council recommended Baxter Mayor Gary Muehl-hausen and City Administrator Larry Kruse discuss proper commission procedures with members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and for council member Mark Cross to be the temporary council liaison at the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The recommendation follows several meetings in which the regular council liaison to Planning and Zoning, Craig MacDonald, had been trying to get property he owned rezoned, and was upset at the treatment he received from Planning and Zoning commissioners.

Some, including Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Ron Matich, have said that MacDonald's presence as liaison to the commission was a conflict of interest. Matich previously had said that some members of the commission had behaved inappropriately toward MacDonald and his request.

In other action:

The council set a council retreat for 8 a.m. Dec. 9 at a location to be announced.

The council approved sending an invitation to Brainerd to discuss a service merger study. Time and place are contingent on a response back from Brainerd.

Council members approved a preliminary plat on the JMS Addition, located off Excelsior Road. MacDonald abstained.

Council members approved a change order of $56,857 to Randy Kramer Excavating for the Parkwood project.

The council approved pay estimate of $529,995 to Randy Kramer Excavating for the Parkwood project.

Council members accepted the layout for the preliminary plat of Bitterroot project.