5.7 PCSR 07-25-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Population growth exceeded 12 percent for Otsego: Unplanned Growth • all 12 cities and townships since 1970. Only one city The experience of Otsego illustrates the effects of poorly managed growth. A lost population in the township until 1990, the city is struggling with the financial and environmental 1970s, and no cities or problems resulting from unplanned residential growth. townships lost population in the 1980s. Source:U.S. Before passage of the Wright County comprehensive plan in 1978, Otsego Town- Census ship was developed in a shotgun manner, with small clusters of one-and two-acre residential lots interspersed within agricultural areas. Uncontrolled development ■ Population increased poses significant financial and environmental problems for Otsego. Rapid urbani- nearly 157 percent, from zation resulted in serious flooding and drainage problems requiring the township 15,832 in 1970 to 40,713 to issue more than $450,000 in bonds to remedy these troubles. in 1990. Source:U.S. Census • Sewage treatment remains a paramount concern of local officials. The permeable ■ Housing units in the soil conditions, relatively high housing densities and proximity of wells to on-site Mississippi Corridor site sewage systems in northeast Otsego heighten the threat of ground-water contami- increased almost 50 nation. However,payments for a municipal sewage treatment system would equal percent in the 1980s. nearly a third of the city's annual budget. Sewage treatment alone would require Source: U.S. Census about a 50 percent increase in township taxes, on top of a one-time utility assess- ment. Assessments would be high, given the relatively large road frontages of the • Sherburne County one- and two-acre lots. approved an average of nearly 275 permits for new Otsego shows what can happen when growth occurs without planning or any homes every year since attempt to preserve farmland. The costs are often felt decades later. Even when 1986. The county has good planning is applied, it can be too late to check the environmental problems issued more than 700 and prevent the high costs of remedial action. building permits for new 41) homes in Big Lake Township alone since 1981. Source:Sherburne County farmland and environmental protection scarce financial resources. In addition, regulations. Disparities still exist, how- growth management and enforcement ef- ever, between the status and level of forts are often frustrated by official and planning and zoning in the area.As in the public opposition to land-use controls. Lakes site, enforcement of land-use and Public pressure to preserve development environmental protection controls varies. rights, for example, led Sherburne Enforcement is often lax because of County to scale back provisions to pro- tect agricultural land in its new land-use plan. Mississippi Corridor Site: Change in Housing Units 1980— 1990 Managing growth on the edge of urban areas is a major challenge for local gov- ❑ ernments. Poorly planned or COUNT- uncoordinated development has led to environmental problems in townships that cannot afford to correct them. Nearby cities may have the necessary re- WRCHTrrIII sources, but often are unwilling to bear couN the added cost. For example, a mobil home park that lies in the city of Mon- 00 0° ticello and Monticello Township has { 10% to 50% been cited frequently by the Minnesota 507 to 00% J % to '63% Pollution Control Agency for inadequate • and faulty sewage treatment. City and .i Source:U.S. Census township officials say that a solution is unlikely in the near future. The city is 10 A QUESTION OF BALANCE