LWV Observer:Â Marcia Walters
One would think that a request to change the zoning from Agricultural to Limited Industrial for which the Planning Commission recommended denial (7-0) for a fireworks testing and warehouse located within the statutory boundary of Big Woods State Park would receive a quick no vote from the Rice County Commissioners. Not this time.
Jim Brown reminded his fellow commissioners several times that this rezoning request was not about a particular business, in this case Hollywood Pyrotechnics, but about the opening up of this 55 acres to any future use that falls under the Limited Industrial category.
After much discussion, including a rambling account from Commissioner Gillen in which he said that the fireworks came from China on a boat and then were transported on semis and if they hadn’t blown up by the time they reached this location they probably wouldn’t, this item was postponed until a ruling from the county attorney’s office clarified whether this was spot rezoning. This will be back before the board on February 12.
The board also rejected a request to partially fund infrastructure improvements in downtown Faribault. Instead they offered the city a loan in the amount of $800,000 to be repaid over three to five years at four percent interest rate. Faribault city officials had said the money should be given to sidewalks and utilities upgrades because it was paid into a tax increment financing district by downtown property owners.
The Economic Development Director, Charlene Coulombe-Fiore, requested an amendment to the Job Opportunities Building Zone (JOBZ) for Upper Lakes Foods. This distribution center would move into the location of the former College City Beverage facility. Upper Lakes Foods is making a capital investment of $4.1 million for the building; $1.2 million for building improvements and $2 million for trucks and warehouse equipment.
A discussion of the 2008 work plan for the SE Minnesota Water Resources Board was postponed because its director was unable to attend due to the weather.
