Pay to Play?

The Fish Lake town board has many unwritten “policies.” One includes the arbitrary solicitation of “donations” from developers. More specifically, persons developing land located near town board members’ homes have been required to “donate” an impact fee of $1000 per lot to the township. Developers who refuse to “donate” are subjected to strong-arm tactics. The “donation” is allegedly intended for repairs, improvements and maintenance of township roads adjacent to the corresponding new development. Previously affected developments include Prairie Ponds ($23500), Goose Lake Meadows ($9000) and Pheasant Crest ($30000+).

Township road repairs and improvements were recently completed on 437th Street, the site of the new Andrews Acres development. Although 437th Street was not included in the fiscal 2007 township road maintenance plan, Fish Lake taxpayers have paid a private contractor $7600 for “necessary” repairs and improvements. The total cost to the taxpayers actually exceeded $9000 including gravel and roadbed matting supplied and delivered to the site by the township. Considering Andrews Acres’ close proximity to Fish Lake Township Supervisor Carter's home, why wasn’t its developer required to “donate” $1000 per lot to the township to pay for these timely road repairs and improvements?

Higher Taxes for Fish Lake Township?

The Fish Lake town board has been paving the way to establish a township planning and zoning commission. They first announced their intent in the March 2007 township newsletter; “At a minimum, the Township is going to organize a planning commission.” They “tested the waters” at the March annual township meeting by raising the issue. The public responded with a resounding “no” to “redundant government.” Although the idea of creating and establishing a township planning and zoning commission did not rise to the level of a public vote that night, the town board never-the-less forged ahead spending time and taxpayer dollars without providing due process to the public.

Since the annual meeting, individuals have been solicited by the town board to provide “testimony” at monthly meetings to document and support the establishment of a planning and zoning commission. Why hasn’t the town board advertised and conducted a public informational hearing to request input from everyone?

An experienced local attorney warns it will be “very expensive” to create a township planning and zoning commission. Our town board purports the costs would be a “wash” because they would be recovered in the form of “fees.” What exactly would it cost Fish Lake township taxpayers? How much would the township pay the new, full-time “Planning and Zoning Director” to administer the plan and the new, full-time “Compliance Officer” to enforce the plan? What job qualifications would the township require in order to apply for the new positions?

Chisago County already provides the opportunity and requests input from affected townships as a routine part of due process. In such a capacity, the county is frequently sued over their planning and zoning decisions. Why would Fish Lake taxpayers want to accept the immense risk and cost of liability for a township planning and zoning commission? How much would such a commission actually cost taxpayers in the long run?

New Beginnings

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