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County asks for a third extension on 22.5 acre land purchase option
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Stating it didn’t make good fiscal sense to purchase the land without first having a storm water run-off study in place, the Houston County Board decided to ask for another extension of the option to purchase 22.5 acres of land on the west edge of Caledonia. The action, taken at the June 3 board meeting, took place after a 30-minute discussion.
The county first signed an option with Ma Cal Developers to re-locate the County Highway Department in August of 2007. The agreement was contingent on the site being suitable to locate a large office building, maintenance building, and salt storage shed, the city approving any zoning variances required, and if the city’s infrastructure was adequate.
During the past 10 months, the county has asked and received two extensions on the option. Now all of the hurdles have been cleared with the exception of the storm water run-off issue.
A storm water run-off study had been conducted 12 years ago by a consulting firm that was bought out by QED Engineering of Rochester. Although the city had made a number of requests for a copy of the study, neither the developer or QED has been able to come up with the study.
During a special public hearing on May 19, the county asked the city to assume all responsibility, including the costs of upgrading the storm water run-off system in the event the drainage ditch and holding pond, located on the east and south sides of the property was undersized. The city took over ownership of the drainage ditch and pond several years ago in order to maintain it. But without having the results of the study to review, the city refused the county’s request.
The city council decided to hire Davy Engineering of La Crosse to conduct a new study to see if the current system, which includes a drainage ditch and pond on the east and south sides of the 22.5 acre tract, as well as a pond on the Caledonia Area Schools property, and a third smaller pond on the east side of Warrior Ave. is adequate to handle a two-to-five-year rain event. According to Mike Davy, most systems are designed to handle that type of rain event.
“We have no idea how long it might take for the city to get the new study completed,” Tom Molling of the highway department told the county board. “Our current extension runs out June 9. How do you want to handle this,” he asked the board?
Commissioner Dave Corcoran felt the county needed to pursue a water study, but let the current option expire on June 9.
“I really don’t know if that is a good idea,” Commissioner Tom Bjerke countered. “We already agreed on a price last year. Why not ask for another extension? If someone knows we really want something, the price could go up. I agree we shouldn’t purchase the land until we have the water study issue settled, but why not ask for another extension?”
Highway Department Engineer Marcus Evans said the county could always let the agreement expire and re-negotiate if and when a study comes back with a positive finding.
Commissioner Larry Graf pointed out that real estate hasn’t been a hot commodity as of late. Maybe the asking price would be less.
“I just don’t see any harm in asking for a three month extension. I think we need to salvage this instead of dumping it right now,” Bjerke added.
Corcoran, who had originally made a motion to call for a water study, but let the agreement expire, amended his motion to approach the property owners to see if they would agree to another extension until a study was completed. The motion was seconded by Bjerke and unanimously passed.
In other action:
Bridge project awarded
Even though the low bid was 14 percent higher than the engineer’s estimate, the board approved a bid of $427,430.25 to replace a bridge and culvert on County Road 31 in Winnebago Township. The low bid was submitted by Brennan Construction. Minnowa Construction also submitted a bid, for $442,209.25. The engineer’s estimate was $373,294.33.
When asked why the bids were so much higher than the engineer’s estimate, Evans replied that increased fuel costs have driven everything up.
“It would be one thing if we could wait and see if prices are going to drop, but this bridge is in tough shape. We need to get this done now,” Evans said.
Zoning requests approved
After receiving positive recommendations from the County Planning and Zoning Board, the county board approved one variance and two conditional use permits (CUP).
The variance was for Curtis and Karen Myrah, of Wilmington Township, who wanted to construct a new home on an existing basement on highway 44 between Spring Grove and Caledonia. The existing basement is 120 feet from the highway. The zoning ordinance calls for a 130 foot setback. After reviewing the plans, the board went along with the P&Z recommendation and approved the variance request.
The board approved a CUP for Jeremy and Amy Lee in Spring Grove township. The Lees plans call to tear down an existing house and build a new one in the same location. A CUP was required because they would be building a non-farm dwelling in less than 40 acres. The plans meet all setbacks and other zoning issues.
After several months of discussions and much negotiations, a CUP to expand a rock quarry and to do mineral extraction in an ag district was approved for Curt Roverud. Roverud wanted to expand the rock quarry located along highway 44 between Spring Grove and Mabel. But issues with blasting and setbacks for a new home an adjoining property owner planned to build had to be settled first.
According to Zoning Administrator Bob Scanlan, Roverud and the property owners were able to work out the various issues and came to a compromise that is workable to all parties.
“Even though this took some time, I appreciate the fact that everyone involved was able to work together to come up with a workable compromise,” Commissioner Ann Thompson said.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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