A majority of the brief amount of time that elapsed during the regularly scheduled Canton City Council meeting on July 12 related to the topic of a variance permit for a privacy fence desired by Nicholas and Kayla Nichols.
The wish for the fence, anticipated to enclose the entire yard, is said to have stemmed from Kayla’s plans to open a daycare in the near future. However, after marking out what the current zoning ordinance would allow, the individual expressed discontent, feeling that the expanse would fail to be big enough and leading her to fill out the application for a variance.
Nonetheless, after reviewing the particular details relating to the filing of such, councilmembers felt as if enlarging the encompassed area did not come up to the established standard or enabled it to qualify for a variance due to it not being a “hardship.” Quite simply, all believed that those involved would not be barred from using the property by adhering to the current ordinance.
In addition, with plans of the fence to measure around six feet tall and be constructed out of solid wood, worry was evident regarding possible problems with visibility at the nearby intersection, with some dubbing the barrier a “public hazard.”
Furthermore, with the request being interpreted as incomplete due to it failing to include the prerequisite drawing plan, the matter was tabled, with Mayor Donivee Johnson suggesting that through further communication it be recommended that the couple stake out the perimeter of the fence to give a more comprehensible idea to the city and public.
With both Public Works Director Jon Nordsving and Councilmember Jim Davis absent due to a seminar in Rushford, Mayor Johnson took it upon herself to articulate of the plan to hire the township, anticipating that this would be the most effective route, to create a ditch along East Prairie Avenue. With new fiber optics being installed, the ditch will function similar to a waterway, with hopes to increase its depth eastward to allow for drainage out of town. The topic will be later discussed following the availability of more information made by Nordsving.
Revisiting the source of a fair amount of discussion of last month’s meeting, those present were informed that the Hudson family agreed to move their family reunion to follow the Canton Day Off breakfast to enable each to use the town hall. Approving a proposal by Mayor Johnson, it was unanimously decided that all rent owed by the Hudson family will be waived.
Nordsving is also currently in the midst of getting measurements for the purpose of a chip seal coating application around town. With a little under $30,000 budgeted, more particulars will be clear upon calculations being finalized.
The Canton Manor is presently working on repaving certain sections of their parking lot. Therefore, residents will be parking on Prairie Avenue until the project, which is projected to take around a week, is complete.
Postcards can be soon expected from Minnesota Energy Resources explaining various kits offering water and energy saving products.
A meeting including the Mabel-Canton School Board, Mabel City Council, and Canton City Council is set to occur at the Mabel-Canton School Library on July 24 at 6 p.m.
As a reminder, filing for the general election will take place between July 31 and August 14. Members also provided answers to a few specific questions involving such, of which confirmed that if an individual is filing for himself or herself, a witness will need to sign off, though the process continues to remain strictly confidential.
The council additionally authorized a resolution stating the intentions of the city relating to the tax-forfeited property previously belonging to Dwayne Hall are that it be named for public auction.
The meeting closed with Councilmember Charlie Warner opting to compliment Nordsving and Davis on a job well done on ridding the alley near the city’s car wash and laundromat of potholes.
The next Canton City Council meeting will be held at Canton Town Hall on August 8 at 7 p.m.
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