At their August 1 meeting, the City of Rushford Village, Minn., set a public hearing about the possibility of demolishing the Village Road Bridge. The CRV and the county were intending to do some repairs on the bridge, but needed easements from three property owners. One of the three has refused to grant an easement on his .03 acre. He had wanted a guarantee that the road would remain blacktopped, which the CRV couldn’t do. He also was concerned about traffic past his property. The intent was to place riprap along the road near the bridge to protect from flooding. The schedule for completion of the project was fall of 2024.
In order to proceed, the city could pursue an eminent domain claim which would add up in legal fees. Alternatively, Fillmore County is willing to pay to remove the bridge entirely. This could, however, cause some safety issues. Access to city services such as snow plowing would be eliminated for residents living on the Yucatán side of the bridge. The CRV set a required public hearing on the issue for September 5 at 6:15 p.m. Citizens are asked to attend the public hearing to share their views.
Planning and zoning issues
Corey Guyer spoke during the public comment period about getting a building permit for a property on which he has already moved in two buildings without a permit. A building is in front of the dwelling, which caused a denial of a permit due to non-conformance with zoning regulations. He is now applying for a building permit for a home, a 32-foot by 48-foot structure, which he stated will cost $10,000. This would be built in front of the other buildings and would be the second dwelling on the property.
Guyer has been told he cannot apply for building permits on the property since he does not legally own it. He was advised that his next step would be to come to a Planning and Zoning meeting along with the current owner to discuss the permit issues. Attorney Joseph O’Koren pointed out that Guyer could get a power of attorney from the property owner and then apply for permits himself.
P & Z Administrator Jon Pettit updated the council on the issues so far. Guyer was fined and was asked to come up with a sewer permit for the larger building which is technically a dwelling. He has already put water in it. Pettit noted that with two non-conforming structures on the property, he wouldn’t issue a permit for a third structure.
To rectify the situation, Guyer would need to move the shed that is in front of the dwelling and get a sewer permit for the dwelling. Pettit commented, “It all happened because he put the horse before the cart.” He noted that there are already rafters on the property to construct the building that has not yet been permitted nor received a sewer permit.
Peterson property
Rick and Louann Bjorlo, owners of the former Peterson property on Highway 30, want to sell the property in two separate parcels. While they can do this, the purchasers cannot subdivide the properties and sell home building lots. The Bjorlos are having the property surveyed to be sold.
In order for a purchaser to subdivide their property, they will need to go through the proper procedures. They would need to go to Planning and Zoning, conduct a survey, and a public hearing would need to be held.
Regular council business
City Clerk Mary Miner told the council they should start working on what they were going to budget for 2024. LGA for next year will be $75,216, up around $10,000–$11,000 from last year.
The MN Energy Ordinance #14 renewal was discussed. Attorney Joe O’Koren has been directed to contact MN Energy to iron out a few details and add in League of Minnesota Cities language to the contract drafted by MN Energy.
The CRV council approved a Consolidate Energy Propane Pre-Pay 2023–2024 contract; the contract will be for 700 gallons at $1.54 per gallon.
The next CRV council meeting will be August 15 at CRV Hall Office at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and a citizen comment period is provided. The public hearing for the proposed bridge demolition will be before the September 5 meeting at 6:15 p.m. The public is urged to attend and share their views.
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