Posted: 9/18/07
Public hearing set for Oct. 8
on proposed zoning change
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
The Caledonia City Council has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, Oct. 8 to solicit public testimony on a proposed change in a current zoning ordinance. During the Sept. 10 council meeting, which was continued to the following evening, the council reviewed the proposed changes and called for the public hearing.
The change in the current zoning ordinance would restrict the amount of buildings and impervious surfaces (concrete, blacktop) to 55 percent of any lot in an R-1 or R-2 residential area. This would include the newer lots in Caledonia that are 10,000 square feet and the older 7,200 square feet lots.
"I really donít feel this will cause a hardship in most cases," City Administrator Bob Nelson said. "The only time when we might have a problem would be if someone purchased one of the smaller lots and wanted to build a new home, with a large garage on it. If a problem like that would surface, the council could deal with it on a per request basis.
The council felt a change in the ordinance was needed, since there was no limit to how much of a lot in a residential zoned area could be covered with buildings and impervious surfaces.
In other council action
FEMA trailers in Caledonia?
Nelson informed the council the city received an inquire of whether or not Pine Estates, located along Gjere Avenue on the west city limits could be re-zoned for manufactured homes if the property was purchased and used for temporary housing for trailers authorized by FEMA for flood victims.
Councilman Paul Fisch stated he felt anything the city could do to help flood victims should be pursued. He wondered if the city could re-zone the property on a temporary basis and have a time limit.
Nelson said he would investigate the issue, possibly contacting Jack Edwards, who owns the property, and report back to the council.
Pager purchase approved
Caledonia Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom brought a request to purchase seven new pagers for the ambulance service to conform to new frequencies. His department had received a memo from the Houston County Sheriffís Department requesting all ambulance services in the county begin using the fire frequency for transmitting and receiving from portables and ambulance units. The request involves changing Motorola Minitor pagers II, IV, and V over to fire frequency.
Tornstrom was able to secure a price quote from Communications Services, Inc. of La Crosse for $377 per pager.
EMT instruction books
Tornstrom informed the council he is planning on offering an EMT refresher course later this year and would like to purchase 12 EMT training books at $61 each. He added the state would reimburse the city for the cost of the books once the course was completed.
Computer replaced
Tornstrom also informed the council the Ambulance Serviceís computer was damaged by a lightning strike. After having a computer technician examine the computer, it was determined the mother board was destroyed.
Tornstrom got a quote of $675 for a new computer tower from Affordable Technology Solutions of Caledonia. The price quote included new software.
EMTs needed
Because it has been becoming more difficult to have EMTs on call during the weekend hours, Tornstrom wants to recruit three more persons by placing ads in local publications. Persons must be at least 18 years or older. His request was approved by the council.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com