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1 | Page <br /> <br />Planning and Zoning Department <br />Year End Review <br />Highlights for 2014: <br />Downtown Plan Update – The Planning Commission spent considerable time <br />reviewing the earlier drafts and presented the City Council with a revised Downtown <br />Plan that outlines strategies and actions since revitalization of the downtown area is <br />critical to the long-term financial health of the City. <br /> <br />Street Criteria Committee – The City Council appointed a committee to create <br />street rehabilitation criteria to aid in determining priority for road enhancement and <br />reconstruction. <br /> <br />Ordinance Amendment – Building Height – The definition of “Building Height” was <br />amended to measure from the average base grade. <br /> <br />Ordinance Amendment – Dynamic Sign Displays – With input from citizens and <br />City Council Members, the Planning Commission devised an ordinance that kept the <br />spirit and intent of the Comprehensive Plan while permitting dynamic displays in the <br />Downtown Mixed Use Zone. <br /> <br />Direct Sale of Tax Forfeit Land – The City agreed to classify a 9-foot wide parcel on <br />the west side if Sibley Lake to Non-Conservation so that it could be sold to an adjacent <br />property owner by Crow Wing County. <br /> <br />Wilderness Resort Review Committee –The City Council appointed a committee <br />to meet onsite with the Wilderness Resort Villas developer to monitor the removal of <br />trees and vegetation. <br /> <br />Ordinance Amendment – Vegetation Removal, Clear Cutting – Staff found the <br />definitions for “Vegetation Removal, Clear Cutting” and “Vegetation Removal, <br />Intensive” were reversed in the City Code. Amending the definitions and permitting in <br />more zoning districts allows more flexibility for property owners that wish to <br />responsibly harvest timber from their land, ensuring the “up north” character of the City <br />is maintained. <br />