BAXTER-Lutheran Social Service requested and received a rezoning to provide a resiliency program for children at a residential property in Baxter.
Along with the rezoning came a request for a planned unit development for the Baxter House Kids Resiliency Program, a learning center and training program for 10 to 12 children ages 10 to 14. The city's planning commission agreed there was an adequate buffer to support the rezoning. The city council concurred.
Children in the program are there by referral and will be driven to and from the Birch Drive site in a 12-passenger van. During the school year, the program will operate from 3-7 p.m. and from noon to 4 p.m. during the summer months. During the planning commission hearing on the proposal, a neighboring resident was concerned about the rezoning and potential use in the future. The planning commission noted any change in operations to add children or add overnight use, would need to come back to the city for approval.
In other business, the council:
Approved the the 2015 financial statements and the 2015 CliftonLarsonAllen audit and findings. Recently the city received the 2015 audit report form CliftonLarsonAllen. Doug Host, CliftonLarsonAllen principal, reported in his career there have been seven times when there were no findings on an audit report. Three of those times were in Baxter, Host stated. The city was awarded the certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for 2014 financial statements. Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek and Assistant Finance Director Susannah Jensen were praised for their work and cooperation during the audit.
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Approved the WSB feasibility study proposal for the 2016 Elder Drive and Glory Road improvements, not to exceed $7,500. Recommended changes for Elder Drive include restriping it to include a continuous center left turn lane from Forthun Road to Garrison Road. Another recommendation is to create right turn lanes at Forthun and Garrison roads and the entrance to the planned new retail center by HJ Development.
Approved the Oakwood Drive bike and pedestrian trail crossing near the Whipple Beach recreation area next to Oakwood Drive and Clearwater Road. The city noted its comprehensive plan outlined a future bike/pedestrian trail next to Oakwood Drive south through the Whipple Beach rec area.
Accepted the assessments for the 2016 mill and overlay projects. Council member Todd Holman abstained as he lives in the area.
Heard, last month from Dave Schonrock, Fairview Road, who spoke to the council presenting a complaint on noise levels. He said the sound level in the city is out of control. He also expressed concern about lowering the speed limit on Fairview Road.
RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz .
