Becker COLA Supports Conservation Sub-division Oridinance.

To read etter to County Commissioners, clik on the following link:

August 13, 2007 Zoning Ordinance Support Letter

The Environmental Concerns activity of COLA has expanded at the invitation of the County. It currently includes membership on several Committees involved with lakeshore development and the regulations governing shoreland management. As such, in order to adequately provide the time and commitment required to represent COLA interests and the Lake Association constituency, the Environmental Concerns functions are assigned to several volunteers.

Pre-application Review: Land owners and/or developers are required to present conceptual plans for shore land development to a technical panel prior to making a formal application for land subdivision. The panel, which includes a COLA representative, uses a set of criteria to review the physical and topographical features of the land. Environmental concerns are identified and mitigation alternatives are recommended to the owner/developer. The panel can also recommend preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). Tom Riedman will represent COLA on this function. He can be reached at 218-532-2034, Email triedman@smurfit.com.

Environmental Review: An Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) can be initiated by recommendation of the Pre-application technical panel or by a Citizen Petition.
In either case, the developer is required to submit the formal EAW documentation to the County, which is reviewed by the EAW Committee. The committee, which includes a COLA representative, may request clarification or additional data but ultimately accepts the documentation for an analysis of the environmental impacts and mitigations. A public review period is then provided. At its conclusion, the committee makes a formal declaration to the County Commission. In addition, the committee may recommend stipulations in a subsequent public hearing to the Planning Commission. Clark Lee will represent COLA on this function. He can be reached at 612-963-9155, Email c1ark@leebrokerage.com.

The County provides COLA with Public Hearing notices along with associated data, drawings and site information on all Variance Applications and Subdivision Plats. These are subsequently distributed, along with comment, to alert the respective Lake Association of possible environmental concerns. If it is deemed appropriate, the Lake Association may decide to take a position on the matter and consult with the COLA representative for information and support in testimony before the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission or County Commission. Bill Sherlin will handle this function for COLA. He can be reached at 218-439-3151, Email bsherlin@loretel.net.

Ordinance Advisory: The County has established a standing committee, which includes a COLA representative, to address problem areas in the management of shore1and development. The committee reviews case specific information, the current regulations and ultimately develops and recommends revisions to update standards or remedy obsolescence within the County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. John Postovit will serve on behalf of COLA in this function. He can be reached at 218-847-1165, Email johnandandardis@msn.com.

The interest of shoreland preservation, while accommodating reasonable development or redevelopment, is a multi-faceted matter. These individuals will do their best to represent the Lakes Associations in the public arena and your support is invaluable. If you have an area of concern or a specific case in question, please contact the respective volunteer on matters related to their representation or any member of the Environmental Concerns team.