There have been a number of contentious issues facing the Cook County Planning & Zoning Commission in recent years—use of recreational vehicles for living quarters, establishment of dog sled kennels, placement of communication towers and more—and the planning commission relies on the Cook County Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan for direction. At the January 21, 2014 meeting of the Cook County Commissioners it was decided that it is time to update that guidebook.
Planning Director Tim Nelson told commissioners that the original plan was adopted in 1980, with updates taking place in 1995 through 1997. He said a small committee existing of Commissioners Jan Hall and Heidi Doo-Kirk, two planning commission members and two Planning & Zoning staff members started meeting in July to review the land use guide and agreed that the Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan is in need of an update.
Nelson said, “There have been a significant number of issues that haven’t been adequately addressed, as this board is aware.”
Nelson said the committee decided that the updating process should be contained to one year. He said the committee recommends retaining an outside consultant to assist in the process and the drafting of the plan update, to ensure that the public knew there were no “agendas” going into this process.
Nelson said the committee wanted to ensure that the updating process involves the local population as well as seasonal residents.
Nelson said there was consensus to form a larger committee of about 15 members, making a good cross-section of interests within Cook County and said it could include: two county commissioners, two planning commission members, three township representatives (one from each township), one Grand Portage Tribal representative, one Coalition of Lake Association representative, one Realtor, one Chamber of Commerce representative, one general contractor, one septic contractor, and two county planning staff members, serving ex officio, and two general residents at-large.
A motion was made by Commissioner Doo-Kirk to accept the recommendations of the current Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan committee to establish a larger committee and to authorize Planning Director Nelson to seek proposals from a consultant to facilitate the process.
Commissioner Sue Hakes said she was opposed because there was no specific representation from the Hovland area. She noted that the majority of privately owned property is in Hovland.
Doo-Kirk amended her motion to state that the at-large person should have a strong association with the east end if necessary to provide that geographic diversity. After considerable discussion about ensuring geographic diversity, the motion passed, with Hakes voting nay.
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