After 15 work meetings beginning in April 2014, Cook County has released the draft update of the County Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan. The land use plan, which along with other documents including the water and energy management plans will form the county’s comprehensive plan, is now available for public review and comment.
Last updated in 1997 the Land Use Guide Plan provides direction to the Cook County Commissioners, planning commission, and staff. The plan is intended to be a living, effective document meaning a number of questions are asked each time the county makes a land use or development related decision.
According to Cook County Planning & Zoning Director Tim Nelson, “Just as the 1997 version built upon the original 1980 plan so does this 2015 iteration start with the 1997 plan. But it is much more than a simple update of the facts and some action steps.
“This new document reflects an enhanced concern for economic development and sustainable livelihoods, affordable housing, county-specific land use regulations, balancing of individual and community rights, and sub-area desires. Core community values and desires for the future of the county expressed in the 1980 and 1997 versions are carried through in the proposed update but amended where deemed appropriate to account for changes which have occurred over the past two decades,” explained Planning Director Nelson.
The public is invited to participate in a meeting to review and comment on the draft Land Use Guide Plan to be held Monday September 14, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais.
Information on the planning process including copies of the proposed draft plan and background materials can be obtained at the County Planning and Zoning office or at its website (www.co.cook. mn.us).
Members of the Plan Update Committee are: Shari Baker, Jim Boyd, Heidi Doo-Kirk, Donald Fehr, Janice Hall, Marland Hansen, Jerry Hiniker, Charles LaBoda, Bill Lane, Gary Maciejewski, April McCormick, Tina McKeever, Frank Moe, Tim Nelson, Mike Schelmeske, Tom Dwyer, Kristin DeArruda Wharton, and Kim Wolff. The public is encouraged to contact members to share their thoughts regarding land use and development or to contact the County Planning and Zoning office at (218) 387-3633 or email Planning Director Nelson at tim.nelson@co.cook. mn.us.
The County has retained the consultant team of John Powers of Applied Insights North and Tony Kroska of Community GIS, both of Duluth, to assist with the development of the updated plan.
Under the county’s land use plan, the following questions should be addressed each time the county makes a land use or development related decision:
. Does this action affirm why we live here?
. Will this action sustain our desired Sense of Place?
. Does this action help shift the reality of Cook County
in our intended direction?
. Will this action help achieve the desired future condition?
. Does this action adhere to our guiding principles?
. Does this action appropriately balance the rights of
individuals with those of the community as a whole?
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