Committee forwards Town of Apple River ordinance changes to county board with recommendation

Staff presented proposed amendments from the Town of Apple River that include creation of an additional district, revisions to shoreland permit language and edits to public-nuisance and enforcement provisions. Committee members raised concerns that some language (notably the use of conditional phrasing such as "if") could create confusion about when a county shoreland permit is required versus a town permit.

Kim O'Connell and others pressed staff for clarification; staff and counsel had reviewed the draft and did not identify provisions that would conflict with the county's comprehensive land use ordinance, but acknowledged the language could be clarified to avoid confusion about whether a town permit substitutes for a county shoreland permit. Logan (staff) and counsel were cited as having reviewed the submission.

After discussion the committee voted to move the Apple River amendments to the county board on the consent agenda with a recommendation that staff prepare a resolution and note the areas staff identified for clarification. The committee recorded the action by voice vote and indicated staff would follow up with suggested wording clarifications for shoreland permit language prior to final county-board consideration.