6.4. & 6.5. SR 04-16-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Minutes January 23, 2001 Page 4 have been built. Mr. Benson stated that, due to past discussions with City representatives, the County was under the impression that the City felt the Highway 10 frantage property was better suited for commercial/industrial purposes, and that expansion of the Caunty offices would be better suited south of their existing site. He agreed that the County does not need the visibility Highway 10 provides, if they were to expand. Mr. Benson stated that they are looking at acquiring land for future expansion at this time, due to the rising costs and demand for land. He noted that they have no plans at this time to expand, but the way the County is growing, they need to plan for the future. Mr. Benson explained that the County would first expand up one level on the northwest portion of the building, but then they would be out of vertical space to expand and they would not have any additional area for parking. Mr. Benson stated that it has been the ongoing desire of past and present County Commission Boards to keep all County services on one campus. He stated that if the surrounding property were agricultural, they would purchase outlot F and continue to have the property farmed. But since the surrounding property is zoned business park, they would have the area landscaped and create and walking path and a lunch area for the County employees. Mr. Benson stated that the jail is serving the taxpayers well, and that the County has no desire or need for any additional jail space. Chair Mesich asked where the prisoners would go when the jail is filled. Mr. Benson explained that first and foremost obligation of the jail is to serve the County. The County was able to build and finance the jail with some federal assistance by housing federal prisoners, but as the County's need for jail space increases, they will be able to utilize the additional space and will not need to expand the jail. Chair Mesich asked if the County has pursued purchasing the property to the east and west. Mr. Benson stated that he has spoken with Mr. Gagne (property owner to the east) about one year ago, and that when they spoke with the Wilson's regarding the property to the west, they were not interested and the piece immediately adjacent to the County's property has since been sold. Chair Mesich asked if the would have any assurances that the County would use the property themselves and it would not be sold for business park use. Mr. Benson stated that he cannot guarantee what a future County Board may decide to do. Mr. Benson stated that there are currently 450 County employees at this time and they are continuing to grow and provide additional jobs for the area. He noted that they are considering moving the Public Works offices to Becket, along with their maintenance facility. He stated that the County's purpose in acquiring this property is for the ability to expand their office space in the future. Ms. McPherson asked why the County wishes to rezone the property at this time, rather than in the future, when they have a plan for development of the property. Mr. Benson felt it would be bad policy to acquire property that is zoned improPerly and then to come back and request a rezoning when they are ready to expand. He stated that the County would be coming to then with any development plans anyway, and they would be willing to comply with any special conditions that may be appropriate at that time.