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The outlying area surrounding  the current boundary of Lindstrom or its “extra-territorial” land mass,  has been under review -- and last week the Lindstrom City Council unanimously  established subdivision procedures for the future of that area.  

The extra-territorial review was set in motion November of 2019. A moratorium halting new development was part of the process and was set to expire in August, and extended to this month in order to complete the analysis and study.  When the newly amended subdivision ordinance is published the moratorium is lifted.

Lindstrom’s planner/consultant Rita Trapp explains that the extra-territorial review is authorized under a state statute.  For reasons of promoting efficient growth, protecting natural resources and for infrastructure and utilities planning, cities are  given the ability to halt developments in adjoining areas to study surrounding territory for these purposes.
The Lindstrom Council had Trapp and her colleague Beth Richmond, work with the planning commission in setting some basic standards for this territory.  The public hearing was November 5.

Trapp told council the recommendations include a 10 acre minimum be the standard for dividing lots on land outside of where the city  is realistically going to extend services.

There’s a maximum size for the area expected to see services relatively quickly, she continued.  This maximum is designed to promote small lots necessary for continuity of urban density in being annexed into the city.  Lots don’t need to be large because they will attach to municipal sewer and water.  These lots are limited to 12,000 square feet in size.  
(See map, red is dense area and orange is 10 acre area.)

In other matters:
Newly-elected Scott Hildebrand was sworn-in for the special vacant seat election from when AnnMarie Brink resigned.  Katie Roche had been appointed to fill the post until the election.  Roche ran for county commissioner instead of filing for Lindstrom council.  Two on the regular ballot for council (Linda Merkel and Laurie Burington) and the mayor will take their oaths of office in January.

~ Council certified approximately $56,000 in delinquent sewer and water bills to taxes.

~ An undersized lot on Mentzer Trail on South Lindstrom Lake, received variances for setback, roof standards and lot coverage for a year-round home to replace an existing cabin.  The builder is incorporating a partial “green roof” and permeable driveway material to address run-off concerns.  The shed and cement slab currently within the ordinary high water zone must be removed as part of the authorization.

~ The firefighter annual payout at retirement was increased. The city is at $2,900 per year of service and the fire department benefits director Ryan Peterson said investments are sufficiently 110 percent and over what’s required, to support an increase.  The new payout as of 2021 will be $3,100.  The benefit helps attract volunteers and is a nice incentive for retaining limited personnel, Peterson said.

 

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