County approves slight changes to zoning regulations
Little by little changes are being made to the county's zoning regulations.
Marion County Commission approved a portion of proposed changes to the county's zoning and subdivision regulations Monday.
The changes included single-family dwellings on legally-created lots no less than three acres that either have a residential structure existing as of Nov. 1, 2005, whether habitable or not, or have been the site of a residential structure.
Any lot created after Nov. 1, 2005, having less than 40 acres must comply with the applicable lot split requirements.
When housing development is requested on lots on rural secondary roads, there will be no road assessment. For lots on gravel or non-rural secondary roads, an assessment of $500 will be made.
For lots on dirt, non-rural secondary roads, $500 plus an additional $500 for each quarter mile to be graveled will be charged. The amount will not exceed $3,000.
Discussion was heard regarding other issues related to county zoning regulations.
County commissioner Randy Dallke said he didn't think the current system for assessing land was fair because the assessment only applies to small parcels.
County zoning administrator said there were case laws and the regulations were defensible in court.
Dallke said if the county really wanted to save farm land, the LESA (Land Evaluation and Site Assessment) system needed to be applied to larger parcels.
"It was another finger of control added by the county planning commission," said Dallke. And whether the regulations are defensible is not the issue.
"We want it to be fair for everyone," said Dallke.
The process is not applied to new home sites.
"Most of the county is zoned agriculture," said Brazil, and that is its primary purpose. Ag means $84-$85 million to our county."
Brazil continued that if Marion County wants to be a commercial or residential county, we can be that.
With planning commission members Eileen Sieger and Bob Maxwell in attendance, the commission asked if the planning commission would consider a density of 12 houses per section of land instead of the proposed 16. The planning commission will take it under advisement and discuss at the next meeting March 23.
In other business:
— Bids will be sought by Brazil for a high-pressure washer and garage doors at the transfer station.
— Brazil requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— County clerk Carol Maggard reported a resolution was approved in May 1948, to form the lake board. Each commission appoints two members from his district to serve. The board meets at least once each quarter.
Commission chairman Dan Holub said he will attend the next meeting to discuss adding a lake resident to the board.
The commission also will discuss the matter with lake superintendent Dale Snelling.
— As of Feb. 28, the county has $8,214,932 of cash on hand. Of that, $1,748,426 was in the county's general fund, and $1,631,211 in road and bridge.
The treasurer's department has sent 455 letters to personal property owners who have not paid their property taxes. Since then, 208 have paid, and 247 warrants were issued.
— Holub requested and received a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday in the commission room.
Commission calls special meeting
A special meeting was called by Marion County Commission at 6 p.m. March 8 with planning and zoning discussion as the agenda item.
The commission entered a 30-minute executive session to discuss personnel with county zoning administrator David Brazil.
A second 30-minute executive session was entered with Brazil for the same purpose.
The commission re-entered the public meeting and made no decisions.
