Council Action Requested:
To unify the planning services and code enforcement requests from the Town of Heath Springs via the attached ordinance.
Points to Consider:
History: County Planning staff provided planning and zoning services to the Towns, including Van Wyck, as they do to unincorporated areas of Lancaster County until May 2021, when County Administrator Steve Willis issued a memo to Rox Burhans that discontinued the provision of planning and zoning services to all the municipalities, based upon changes in Van Wyck.
The memo noted that the County would continue to provide building code services and stormwater management services to the Town of Van Wyck, “as they lack certified staff.”
This ordinance sets the intergovernmental agreements between Lancaster County and the Town of Heath Springs into code. An accompanying ordinance addresses the Town of Kershaw and staff will evaluate if any changes are warranted for Van Wyck, understanding they are providing their own planning and development services.
Funding and Liability Factors:
Funding: cost to enforce codes and regulations for the two towns in addition to current work load. There is an additional charge identified for County staff time that goes beyond the basic services outlined to be provided by the County.
Liability: Without a properly executed agreement, Lancaster County staff cannot enforce land use laws within town jurisdictions.
Recommendation:
Approve the Ordinance.