Minutes of the Tuesday September 8, 2015

MINUTES OF THE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2015

PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING - 7:00PM

The Kandiyohi County Planning Commission met on Tuesday September 8, 2015 at 7:00PM in the Commissioners Room at the Kandiyohi County Health & Human Services Building located at 2200 23rd St. NE Willmar, Minnesota. Members present were John Dean, Harlan Madsen, Ronald Peterson, John Hauge, and Doug Hanson. Also present was Zoning Administrator, Gary Geer.

Chair Dean opened the meeting at 7:00PM.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as mailed.

Chair Dean opened the discussion of the continued public hearing on the adoption of the Kandiyohi County Floodplain Ordinance. Geer reviewed the memo to the Planning Commission dated August 18, 2015 that answered the questions of the Planning Commission from the August 10, 2015 meeting, concerning if the ordinance and maps are not adopted by the deadline, and what are the ramifications of not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. Geer also stated that staff had meet with DNR staff today and were updated on how amendments can be made to the maps, and reviewed our specific areas of concern, namely, Regal, Raymond, Green/Jesse Lakes, and the SE quadrant of the county. Peterson asked for clarification regarding the amendment process. Geer explained the amendment process, reviewing the procedure for the Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), the Letter of Map Amendment – Out as Shown (LOMA-OAS), and the Letter of Map Revision (LOMAR). John Hauge expressed his concern about having to adopt the maps even though we have areas of concern. Madsen responded by explaining thelocal ordinance adoption process. Hanson stated he is much more comfortable with the ordinance and map adoption now that he knows there is a free process for landowners to amend the maps, (the LOMA-OAS). Madsen stated that he still has some concerns over future regulations, but the best we can do is to proceed and trust the process, noting that he believes the Planning Commission can’t vote on subjective information.Motion to close the meeting by Peterson, second by Hauge, motion carried. Motion by Hanson, second by Madsen to adopt the ordinance and map as presented with the following findings as proposed by staff:

Findings:

The Planning Commission recommends approval of the proposed Kandiyohi County Floodplain Ordinance. The Planning Commission finds that the proposed ordinance serves the interest of the County and the public and further enable orderly administration of the Ordinance so that public health, safety, and welfare are protected. The Planning Commission finds that no public testimony has been received that leads them to conclude that the proposed ordinance will be injurious to any individual or other entity or are otherwise inappropriate for passage.

The Planning Commission unanimously recommends the Board of Commissioners approve the Kandiyohi County Floodplain Ordinance and maps based on the findings as stated herein. Motion carried.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.