Caledonia Argus

Subdivision added to Money Creek

Posted: 11/11/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Another subdivision will be added to Money Creek.

The Houston County board approved Phil and Cindy Niesenís request to rezone agriculture land near Gates Coulee Drive to residential for the purpose of building a subdivision at its Tuesday, November 4 meeting

The subdivision would be within half of a mile of a feedlot and consist of three lots. Assistance Zoning Administrator Bob Scanlan noted that Niesenís application had been considered by the feedlot advisory board and recommended for approval by the planning commission. The subdivision joins several other recent subdivisions that have been built in the last several years. ìIt would be within a two mile radius of Money Creek,î said Scanlan.

The land being sought for redevelopment is currently on CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) so that farmland is not being affected. The lots have been perk tested and are above the 100 year flood line.

Comments from neighbors at the planning commission meeting included concerns about there being dust on the road and more traffic on a public road.

Dog business denied

The county denied an application by Wade and Les Snuggerud for a dog kennel business just outside of Hokah on Cty. Rd. 21 after complaints of excessive noise and of dogs running loose.

Scanlan explained that the application had been turned down by the planning commission because the Snuggeruds had not been meeting the requirements of proper care and general welfare of the dogs.

The Snuggeruds had been given 60 days to make a plan for how they were going to control the dogs and during the planning commission meeting, neighbors complained and the permit was denied.

After being denied, a person must wait one year before reapplying for the permit.

Final platte approved

Scanlan showed commissioners the final platte that had been done of the lay-out of Joe McNamerís lot set-up. Permission had been granted earlier this summer to rezone his lot from agriculture to residential for the purpose of building another house.

The final platte located in Money Creek township was approved.

County considers alternative recycling methods

Commissioner Kevin Kelleher and Houston County Zoning and Solid Waster Officer Rick Frank visited Monroe County last week to view a recycling compactor also called a materials recovery facility, which sorts out recyclable materials.

Currently, Houston County has five drop off sites where recyclable materials are sorted. Also, cities have programs for consumers to sort their recyclables and leave them out on the curb. The recyclables are then taken to the recycling center in Houston, recycled, and then sold.

But, because the market for recyclable materials are drying up, Houston County is considering other more cost effective options.

Houston County could potentially take its recyclable items directly from the curbside to the recycling compactor in Monroe county and save money on the labor costs associated with sorting at the recycling center.

Frank said he could see a problem with Monroe Countyís present situation because the compactor is not being housed. ìThe compactor is in the wide open,î he explained.

Commissioner Dave Corcoran explained that Monroe County is purchasing things for its recycling center one step at a time, which is why they donít have a building yet.

Frank estimated that it would take 15-20 trips per week for Houston County to haul its recyclable material on a 20 mile round trip to Monroe County.

Corcoran noted that instead of putting out three or four recycling bins on the curb this would mean putting out only a few.

No-shows at dental clinic questioned

The board approved an agreement with Dr. Michael T. Flynn to act as the dentist of record to oversee the dental records that are kept for the free dental clinics. His Minnesota Dental license number is also used for billing medical assistance for the dental services.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kelleher questioned the low attendance rate at the last dental clinic in September.

The dental clinic is free for children between the ages of 1-21 years of age who do not have dental coverage.

Houston County Oral Health Specialist Darla Zahn, expressed her disappointment, stating, ìI contacted all the patients by myself and arranged for rides and they still didnít show up. I took it personally.î

Zahn explained that Houston County is not exclusive to having a high no-show rate for dental care.

However, if the parents have a sponsoring agency and do not show, it is documented, she said.

Airport update

Commissioner Ann Thompson spoke to other commissioners about a sample contract with the city of Long Prairie and the county of Todd, Minnesota for the joint construction of an airport.

She said it was an example of a contract that the county should look at if it is considering sharing the costs of the airport with the other cities in the county.

Thompson also noted that an airport meeting between the cities in the county was scheduled for Monday, November 10. The meeting was to include some people from the state who would provide information on more funding that is available for private airports.

She also asked that the board to continue to consider its vision of an airport committee. ìWhat responsibility would be given to it and who would be on it?î

Commissioner Corcoran commented that there needs to be ownership in the airport.

Thompson said she supports maintaining the airport to a basic level. ìMost people would just be happy if we just maintain it,î she said.

Top of Page