---

BACKUS - Cass County Commissioners granted two exceptions Tuesday to the board's policy of requiring county land use permits in all jurisdictions in the county.

Maple Township objected to requiring people to obtain permits from both the township, which has its own zoning, and the county. The board granted Maple an exception to the county-wide requirement and will permit Maple residents to obtain only a township permit on the condition the township ordinance continue to be more restrictive than the county's.

The second exemption from county zoning will be commercial properties in Sylvan Township, which also is more restrictive than county regulations. Residential properties in Sylvan will require county permits.

Environmental Services Director John Ringle's report to the board on permits the department has issued and fees collected indicate that, while the number of land use permits issued for new construction is up slightly this year, but projects are smaller.[[In-content Ad]]

The county issued 841 land use permits in 2008, 716 in 2009 and 727 in 2010 through September. Fees collected, a reflection of the size of permitted project, ran $224,150.27 in 2009, $186,360.58 in 2009 and $177,635.60 in 2010 through September.

Fees are higher for new homes and businesses than for garages, additions or decks. The fact that more new construction likely involved additions to existing buildings rather than whole new buildings can be seen in the rise in requests for variances. Through September, there were 65 in 2008, 66 in 2009 and 89 this year.

New developments have stagnated. There were 11 minor subdivisions in 2008, four in 2009 and three in 2010. Two new plats were filed the first three quarters of 2008 and 2010 and one last year.

New construction continues to be most active in lake country areas of southern Cass and of the Backus to Walker areas.

Second publication rights after Brainerd Dispatch.

---