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Thursday, August 14, 2008
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ZONING CHANGE County Land Services Department to conduct on-site reviews before issuing land use permits BY AMY FREDMAN Staff intern The Crow Wing County Land Services Department has announced that beginning on Sept. 2 officials will start conducting on-site reviews before issuing land use permits.
Mark Liedl, the county's Land Services director, said his goal is to minimize miscommunication between property owners and the county and result in "fewer hurdles along the road."
Currently, property owners take applications for land use plans to the Land Services Department, and permits are issued or denied at the counter.
With the new plan, after applications are briefly reviewed at the counter, landowners will be put in contact with a land service specialist who will visit the property before issuing the permit.
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Crow Wing County Land Services Department Director Mark Liedl described the new zoning ordinance that requires on-site visits before issuing permits. Brainerd Dispatch/Amy Fredman
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A news release from the county said that before site visits owners must stake out the proposed building site to show the size and location of proposed structures.
"It's a win-win situation," Liedl said of the new zoning ordinance, referring to the benefits for landowners, the county and the environment. "We need to provide better service. And we have an extraordinary natural resource here that is the lifeblood of our economy. We need to do a better job of protecting that resource and promoting wise land use."
Liedl became the Land Services director in April. Before that he spent three months hired by the county to examine the current zoning ordinance and research zoning ordinances of Stearns, Cass and Itasca counties.
"We're trying to provide a service to the landowner," Liedl said. "Customer service is meeting with the landowner, being willing and able ... to help them through the process, make sure that all the questions are answered and make sure that what they're proposing makes sense."
There will be three land service specialists assigned to specific areas in the county. "Specialists who know their regions and are working directly with citizens and local officials to address issues where they arise just makes good common sense," Liedl said.
Employees were reassigned to fulfill the new positions of land service specialists. Liedl also said that issued permits are down about 30 percent from last year.
The ordinance allots a 10-day review period for permits, but Liedl said that a 2- to 5-day period is achievable. In the future, he expects to have options for submitting applications by mail or Internet. Liedl also encouraged landowners to contact their region's land service specialist even before beginning the application process.
The ordinance requires permits for the construction and placement of structures on property and additions or changes to existing structures. Decks, garages, mobile homes, storage sheds, septic system installation and repair and some dirt-moving activities within 1,000 feet of a lake also require permits.
Some stairways and patios may require a permit, and campers and RVs placed on property for seasonal use may also require a permit.
The Land Services Department may be contacted with questions or concerns at 824-1125.
AMY FREDMAN may be reached at amy.fredman@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5866.
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