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The thoroughfares along Elm and Maple Streets in North Branch that were made stop sign-free during Highway 95 reconstruction this summer will see the return of signage that existed before the detour.  Council members in North Branch were considering whether to leave the east-west streets as express lanes or put the stop signs back up, and based on survey results and direct citizen feedback council voted September 24 that the stop signs were preferred.

Public Works Director Shawn Williams noted the removal of stop signs during the project “worked well” but public consensus is that traffic controls should come back.

In another road-related action, council approved the final layout for the CSAH 30 improvements, between south of town up to Maple.  This includes North Branch’s hefty share of a round-about proposed near the library, where a new housing plat is going in on the west side of #30  and the city dedicating Safe Routes to Schools grant funds of $366,000 to developing a trail along the east side of CSAH 30.  The trail will be turning eastward along Maple, to create a walkway to the schools on Grand Avenue.  

Finance Director Sharon Wright reminded council members the city had been committed to funding the trail plus its half of the county road project over two years ago.  

Mayor Kevin Schieber remarked that he had highlighted this item on the consent agenda,  because he wanted to make sure the council understood the obligation.

The project bids will be opened this month.  Chisago County is the lead on the trail and related roadwork on the 2025 plan.

In other business, final approvals were given 5-0 with Council member Robert Canada participating remotely, to the LIUNA training facility, north of town  east of #30 around 415th.  

This site will have work stations for underground pipe laying, trenching, public works skills,  a full size wind turbine, solar panels and assorted heavy machinery operations that construction or public works type staff might require for training. (Press stories Aug 22 and July 25) There will be  a new building for instruction and parking for 25 vehicles.

North Branch is also preparing for an influx of population by contracting with an engineering consultant firm for a wastewater treatment study and future plan.  Williams advised council it is never too early to start planning for the several hundred new homesites and potential commercial parcels expected. The WSB analysis should run about $145,000 and will come out of the sewer enterprise account, self-funded by user fees.

Cannabis sales are also being planned for.

While the State of Minnesota handles licensing, each city or zoning jurisdiction will need to confirm when a cannabis business meets land use standards.  

Acting City Administrator Linda Woulfe cautioned council that under state law the city can not “zone them out.”  But can put standards for hours of operation, siting and other parameters.

Key conditions include:  the retail recreational cannabis stores need to be 1,000 feet from each other.  Distances are also spelled out from schools, but council felt the 500 feet suggested to be the limit from city parkland was unnecessary because North Branch already has a no smoking law for public spaces like parks.

An offer from Sunrise River Commons LLC to purchase two lots that North Branch acquired as tax forfeit from the state (county) was extended. The original agreement expired at the end of September but the future enterprises are still being finalized by the would-be developer.  The lots are between Holiday and the Cartful store west of the freeway.

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