The Clear Lake Township Board discussed a request to purchase their parcel on Long Lake, a county zoning amendment and various road projects during their meeting on May 17.

 

Wes Scott approached the board requesting to purchase the township’s lot on Long Lake. He owns the property next to it and wants to improve it, as currently it doesn’t meet the state’s 25% impervious requirement. He proposed granting the township a permanent easement on the lot for drainage.

 

Supervisor Gary Gray informed attendees one of the reasons the township purchased the lot was to create a buffer zone for water to drain into and be cleansed before it hits the water, which helps in the long term care of the lake.

 

Asked what the lifespan for the drainage work was, Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk, replied it would need to be bailed due to the sediment accumulation at a 10 to 15 year frequency.

 

Scott stated if he granted the township a permanent easement, the township would need to maintain it.

 

“Selling township property to fix an individual’s issue sets a precedent,” said Supervisor Gray. “And if we’re going to sell something we’re not going to maintain it.”

 

Scott disagreed with the board on the issue of maintenance, and offered a price for the lot much lower than the $52,000 the township had originally paid for it.

 

A motion was made to keep the parcel, and the board advised Scott to speak with the zoning dept.

 

Last month Engineer Vander Eyk reported the county board had rejected their paving projects. He canvased the board chairs requesting permission to proceed with new bids for Clear Lake, Palmer and Becker townships, which he received. He estimated Clear Lake Township’s portion would be $50,960. Bid letting will be at the Becker Town Hall May 24 at 6 p.m.

 

Gray informed the board the ditch on the field side of Long Lake Lane is inadequate for proper drainage. Engineer Vander Eyk will look into the issue, and if it’s on the township’s right of way the property owner has stated he has no problem with increasing the ditch capacity.

 

Tom Green from Socore Energy approached the board to explain their position on amending the county zoning ordinance in regards to solar farms. Currently the zoning ordinance states IUPs (interim use permits) can be terminated if zoning changes, Green said they’re asking language to be included that states solar farm IUPs cannot be terminated if this occurs.

 

“The problem I have is with the county,” said Gray. “They’re going to end up spot zoning for a specific interest. They should maybe change it so it’s not specific for solar, because it may set a precedence in the future.”

 

The board had no issues with the change, but will include in the comment form they don’t believe it should only be for a specific industry.

 

Supervisor Gray asked the board if they wanted their attorney to start drafting up an agreement concerning their annexation with the City of Clear Lake.

 

“It’s going to happen one way or another sooner or later,” he said. “This basically gets the ball rolling.”

 

The board agreed and approved the motion.

 

Vander Eyk was selected to fill in for Roger Neils on the Sherburne County Planning Commission to represent Clear Lake township. The county board of commissioners approved the appointment.

 

Supervisor Gray reported the fire dept. is getting their new grass truck for the cost of $65,000.

 

Supervisor Stimmler reported the fire dept. had a burn at the township park and requested $40 to purchase flowers for the park, which has approved.

 

The board reviewed the cost share agreement with Sherburne County regarding the new election equipment and decided to pay their portion in one allotment. The township’s cost is $3,463.

 

The sheriff informed the board there has already been 100 traffic related fatalities this year as of April 28, with distracted driving the cause for many of them. He reported there were 88 calls for service in Clear Lake Township for the month of April; 44 of which were traffic related. 

 

The township meeting will be on June 21 at 7 p.m.