6/19/12
Need more rules? Apparently the planning commission and the council think so.
In last week's joint meeting the council and the commission discussed establishing something called "zoning permits." The idea is that just having rules about where one can put things on one's lot aren't enough and one should really go to City Hall to pull a permit (at $25 or similar cost). So, what would need a permit?
Permits would be needed for patios, driveways, sidewalks and fences as well as other items yet to be specified. The notion is that by getting a permit the property owner would become enlightened as to the rules about where such items could be located and eliminate nasty surprises after the fact.
Zoning permits were considered by council two years ago and the idea was dropped due to lack of interest with some council members citing a desire not to enlarge government involvement. Of course, with the "new" council anything that was not approved in the past seems to be a target for approval now.
Blog readers: do you want more government?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
The most bothersome phrase is "items yet to be specified." What would those be and would they be left to the discretion of the building spector and city planner? If so, be afraid. Yes. To much control.
ReplyDeleteInsider: You should have linked to the planning commission minutes where this was discussed, it gives you credibility and educates the readers on the facts:
ReplyDeleteMinutes are at: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=159689&page=1&dbid=0
Readers: See pages 6-8. How does this sit with you? And it gets worse: a commissioner wants to require permits to cut trees on our own property.
Staff doesn't enforce the rules we currently have, so why add more?
ReplyDeleteIn April 2010 Nielsen proposed requiring permits for every shed, fence, retaining wall and above ground cooking facility or fireplace.
ReplyDeleteNow, here's a historical moment ... Zerby agreed with Woodruff regarding the size of government and the burden this would place on the City and the fact there are already rules in place -- and was not in favor of a zoning permit process. Ref. City Council minutes: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/weblink8/0/doc/147814/Page1.aspx
Now, in May 2012 Hotvet, with no background on the issue, states "there is a point when there is enough permitting and regulation" ref. Planning Commission minutes http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=159689&page=1&dbid=0
So, who exactly is driving this issue? Is it a staff agenda?
Hm. What issues DOES Hotvet have background on? Any at all?
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