Posted: 8/2/05
City to counter offer to compensate for erosion
City to counter offer to pay for erosion
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The Caledonia City Council has agreed that it will not pay $8,400 to Hillary Allen to compensate for erosion on his land, and will develop a counter offer.
Allen has contacted the city on several occasions to complain that development to the north of his property has caused erosion to land he farms south of Main Street. In earlier discussion with Allen, he indicated that he would consider $8,400 to be fair compensation based on two acres at $4,200 per acre. The drainage area consists of a strip of land that is approximately 50 ft. by 900 ft.
At the council meeting of July 25, Councilman Paul Fisch commented that ìI believe the water has been running there for years. Anyone that has an outfall will want compensation.î
Fisch said that the best the city can do is to maintain the land to the best of its ability and control erosion. Some remedies that have been suggested, he said, would result in the problem being moved down the road to someone elseís property.
A committee of the city council will meet with City Attorney Tim Murphy to draft a counter offer to Allen.
Public hearings held
The council conducted two public hearings at its July 25 meeting.
The first public hearing was to rezone two parcels of land from residential (R-2) to Highway Business District (B-2).
The parcels are at 614 Wewst Washington and 611 West Main and are owned by Michael and Bernie McCormick.
The McCormicks said that they have no immediate plans for building on either of the parcels.
There were no comments from the public. The rezoning was approved.
In another matter, the council held a public hearing on several variances requested by Dan and Jeffís Repair.
The zoning application is for a 11 x 40 ft. addition to an existing building at 405 South First Street which will be located 1-ft. from the south property line, 5-ft. from the east property line, and 15-ft. from the west property line.
Don Burroughs, who owns property adjoining the lot, said he had no objections to the requests. He mentioned that the parties planned to have their lot surveyed to determine where the property lines are.
Council member Randi Vick said that she would feel more comfortable approving the variances if the property lines were already determined.
The council agreed to table the variances until the survey is completed.
In other news from the city, the council approved a zoning application from ISD #299 for the construction of a concession stand. All applications submitted by a governmental unit are subject to approval by the council. The application was approved.
Pool improvement discussed
In another matter, Councilman Fisch suggested that a grassy area be added to the Caledonia pool. He said he had talked to Tony Klug of the water department about it, and Klug thought that it could be accomplished without a lot of expense. The area would be located within the pool fence and offer a spot for pool patrons that is off the cement.
The city will explore the idea further and get cost estimates.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com