Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
At the October 20 meeting, the Rushford Village Council discussed several items including an application process for the splitting of parcels. The issue is in the forefront due to several rural property parcel splits recently discussed. The Planning & Zoning Board and the council asked city attorney for recommendations.
Attorney Joe O’Koren suggested an application process for parcel splits. He cited several reasons why it helps the process, including the fact that an application triggers a zoning request and the 60-day timeline in which Planning & Zoning must come to a decision. It also puts in writing what the applicant is looking for. Lastly, it covers administrative time that goes into it, so the village can charge the applicant to recoup costs.
“This gives the county notice, too,” said Mayor Dennis Overland. “Perhaps we can let the county know we have this now and maybe they do a split without us.”
O’Koren noted that from what he’s seen, Fillmore County has not sought municipal approval on parcel split requests, despite doing so about three years prior.
Following review from the Planning & Zoning Board, the council approved final edits to the application. These included removal of sections from the original document, which dealt largely with water and sewer, since not everyone in the village has those services. Other non-applicable sections dealt with access to city streets and other frontage. O’Koren did note access is needed to a split parcel, whether through an easement or other method, and cities often request that so there is not a landlocked property issue. He further suggested Planning & Zoning avoid cartway petitions. The applications will be conditional on meeting all zoning requirements, including legal criteria on access.
In other news, Trout Spring Lane and Tower Ridge Road are officially opened after being closed since the heavy rain event September 18-19. Village representatives attended an Emergency Management meeting recently and were notified it takes 30-60 days for formal declaration of a disaster event. Public Works Supervisor Darrin Dessner stated that if moisture conditions improve in the roads, he will continue more work. Aspen Road and Ekern Road are the only two roads not fully maintained this fall, as he is waiting for contracted work to be completed.
Dessner also updated the council on details of the septic tank and drain field conditions, following pumping and cleaning. The tank condition was inundated by roots from three nearby Silver Maple trees. After discussing it with STS Plumbing & Heating, Dessner indicated they provided two options – get rid of the source of the issues or start looking for a new tank. There was no time frame provided on the life expectancy of the system if the council takes no action.
“If we get rid of the tank, we’ll still have the source,” he added.
“I want to do something, but I want to look at it, to see what options they have. It might be the only option, but it’s hard to picture,” said Councilor Travis Link.
Public Works will scope the drain field with a camera to determine conditions further.
“Did we catch it soon enough? Is what’s there going to be usable?” asked City Clerk Mary Miner.
The council tabled the issue until more information is gathered
The council received a Community Economic Development Associates’ (CEDA) update. CEDA submitted an application on September 29 for a large generator for the village. They’ve also been in contact with Renee Ritter and the group of residents working to revitalize the South Rushford Park and will meet with them soon.
There is no council meeting November 3 due to the general election. However, the council scheduled two full-council budget meetings in November. The discussion will be focused on the budget only.
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