Zoning change under scrutiny
By Sara QuamFor the second time, the city of Luverne was criticized for how it handled the overall city rezoning last year, which was done after the Comprehensive Plan was passed in 2004.The first criticism came when Fledgling Field was the site named in a request to construct Dingmann Funeral Home. People in that neighborhood said they weren’t aware that it had changed from a low-density residential zone to Downtown Zone, which would make a funeral home permitted use of the land.The second criticism of the city’s handling of the zoning came from auctioneer and real estate broker Yvette Van Der Brink.She met with the Planning Commission to ask it to more clearly define business practices in the Community Commercial Zone, which has a building she wants to write a purchase agreement for.But the conversation turned to how that property was rezoned (from Commercial) without property owners or real estate businesses being personally notified.Van Der Brink said, "For a small town, I think it should have been better addressed."The zone in this case was just renamed, but the permitted uses stayed the same as before, when it was called a Commercial Zone.Commission Chair Pat Baustian said the entire city was rezoned, so public notices were published, as the law requires. Individuals are notified only when small-scale rezoning or permitting is done and affects just certain properties.Baustian said the entire city wouldn’t get letters in this case.Baustian said people, especially those with business interests, have to take some responsibility for being informed.City Administrator John Call said, "Like Pat [Baustian] said, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink."When the meeting went back to the zoning definitions Van Der Brink wanted clarified, the Commission said an auto repair business would be a permissible use in the Community Commercial Zone, on the west side of Highway 75 where the former Align Tech and Tire is located.The Community Commercial Zone, for example, permits minor auto work, not major.Van Der Brink said she hoped businesses in the future wouldn’t be scared off by vague definitions in the zoning ordinance.