Despite some misgivings, the Morton County Commission declared a moratorium on new multi-lot developments through the end of 2008 or at least until comprehensive and land use plans can be updated and adopted.

The moratorium was the recommendation of the Morton Planning and Zoning Commission and presented to the Morton County Commission at its Tuesday meeting. A hearing on the plans will be held at the next meeting of planning and zoning at the end of May.

Auditor Paul Trauger said he feels the work can be done quickly, pointing out that they have the comprehensive plan which was created in 2001, but never formally adopted by the county. He also said that the draft of Burleigh's comprehensive land use plan is out and Morton may be able to draw from that.

"Basically, a comprehensive plan updates some of the history, the population growth and so on. The main thing is it provides criteria for subdivisions through goals and objectives,"Trauger said. "We started updating in 2001, but we got hung up on the language and plans, so it got dropped. Basically, our plan is eight years old. It provides a lot more information than the one adopted in 1984. We've got to update the language and have it adopted."

Planning and zoning commission members Mike Kemnitz and George Sakosky strongly recommended that a moratorium be established.

"We need to take a time out and get the process in place that people can see step by step what they need to do, so when they come to planning and zoning, those steps are completed," Kemnitz said. "I don't know if we can get it done by the end of the year or shorter. But if we hurry the process, the product won't be right."

But businessman Clint Feland, who lives near New Salem, chastised the commission for considering the moratorium, arguing it was sending the wrong message to developers.

"Why fix something that's not broke? What you're doing is sending a bad message; not to build in Morton," Feland said.

Feland said that where he lives, no county services are provided, and should people decide to live in similar areas, they have to understand that the county doesn't provide service.

"You're the exception, not the rule," commissioner Jim Boehm replied. "People want school buses; they want gravel; they want snow cleared; they want law enforcement. They expect these things."

Commission chair Dick Tokach said that it's gotten to the point where the county can't afford to take care of people living in remote sections of the county.

"We've heard some good ideas and have a good starting point," Sakosky said. "One thing we seem to be having a problem with is the word moratorium. We just want to slow down and stop to reorganize. Perhaps call it a reorganization, instead."

Sakosky said that in 1976, there were no rules regarding development, but a lot has changed since then. Not everything planning and zoning has done was always right, and Sakosky said he believes the comprehensive plans and land use plans need updating, giving planning and zoning a new start.

"The moratorium is not to stop subdivisions; it's just there to give us enough time to get our feet back on the ground," Sakosky said. "Mistakes were made in the past. When we lift the moratorium and the plan is adopted, we can say we won't make those mistakes again. We'll be following new rules and those mistakes made in the past will be just that, in the past."

Commissioner Andy Zachmeier made the motion to implement a moratorium on all new multi-lot subdivisions until Dec. 31, or until the new comprehensive and land use plans are implemented. Commissioner Mark Bitz seconded and the motion was approved on a 3 to 2 vote, with Tokach and Matt Erhardt in opposition.

The commission then unanimously approved Zachmeier's motion to hold a public hearing at the planning and zoning meeting on May 28.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)