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City panel to meet with Oak Lawn Township about street extension BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL Staff Writer In an attempt to work with Oak Lawn Township on the Wright Street extension, Brainerd officials will meet township officials address township concerns.
The Brainerd City Council on Tuesday unanimously decided to set up a committee - made up of council member Mark O'Day and Bob Olson and City Administrator Dan Vogt - to meet with Oak Lawn Township supervisors within two weeks. City Planner Mark Ostgarden also suggested that a member of the Planning Commission take part in the meeting.
The city wants to extend Wright Street and utilities to Plastics Plus. To do so, it would need an easement agreement from Crow Wing County to pass through the north section of the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds.
A tentative agreement was reached this past fall between the city, Crow Wing County and the Crow Wing County Fair Board. However, the county board tabled action on the agreement after concerns were raised by Oak Lawn Township.
In an attempt to bring resolution to the matter, the county in December set up a joint meeting between all parties involved and a consensus for the extension was reached.
However, after receiving petitions from surrounding businesses, the Oak Lawn Township Board on Jan. 2 decided not to ratify the agreement.
Mark Haglin, an Oak Lawn Township supervisor, on Tuesday said the township didn't ratify the agreement because of a petition received by neighboring businesses, including Shipman Auto Parts, TCBX and Thelen Heating and Roofing, who were opposed to the extension of Wright Street because it was believed the city would then force annexation of those properties from Oak Lawn Township.
City Administrator Dan Vogt said the agreement between the city, the county and the fair board was for a roadway and utility easement, not annexation. He said the county could grant the easement without township approval.
An initial motion by council member Lucy Nesheim to appeal to the Crow Wing County Board was defeated by a 5-2 vote, with Nesheim and council member Kevin Goedker voting in favor.
"If road and utilities are not put in there, it could jeopardize 104 jobs," Nesheim said, referring to Plastics Plus. "I think it just makes sense to do it."
Council member Bob Olson supported setting up a committee to meet with Oak Lawn Township because he said there was enmity forming between the city and surrounding township.
"Before we do anything, we're going to have to settle these issues," Olson said. "If we approve (Nesheim's) motion, all we're doing is widening the drift between us."
Several members of the Thiesse family, who own land adjacent to the fairgrounds, spoke in favor of the Wright Street extension. Gary Thiesse said he would one day like to develop his property and wouldn't want Oak Lawn Township telling him what he can and cannot do. He also said he would like to see that the adjacent businesses opposed to the extension not be annexed if the road goes through.
City Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick said the city has the right to use eminent domain to acquire the easement, as long as there is a public need and that need is greater than Oak Lawn Township's need.
Ostgarden asked that the committee use the land-use scenario established by the Planning Commission when meeting with Oak Lawn Township.
MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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