A Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Smiley Township
2016
Township Board of Supervisors
Kenneth Geske
John Rouland
Maren Molskness
Comprehensive Plan Ad-Hoc Task Force Members
Scott Mostrom
John Rouland
Myles Olson
Vern Cleven
Gene Kayppila
Phyllis Koropatnicki
Leon Iverson
Tammy Pesch
Bill Barthold
Barb Nelson
Faye Auchenpaugh
Linda Helgeland
Township Staff
Clerk: Faye Auchenpaugh
Treasurer: Linda Helgeland
Thanks to Faye Auchenpaugh for compiling the Township History
Planning Consultants
Northwest Regional Development Commission
109 S. Minnesota St.
Warren, MN 56762
Legal Authority
The authority to develop and execute a comprehensive plan for the Township of Smiley by the Smiley Township Board of Supervisors is granted in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462.351 through 462.356. This plan is the first Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Smiley Township.
Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan
The Smiley Township land use plan is a township document which acts as a planning tool to aid in future decisions about the physical growth and development of the township. The plan has set forth the objectives of the township with respect to land use.
The comprehensive plan itself is the first stage of the planning process that a community undertakes. Following the adoption of the land use plan, Smiley will adopt a zoning ordinance to enforce the plan. The difference between the land use plan and a zoning ordinance is that the former sets forth the goals and objectives of the township with respect to land use, while the latter enforces the land use plan through regulatory measures.
The Smiley Township land use plan is broken up into four main areas. First, there is a brief history of the Township. Second, an inventory and analysis of land use characteristics is discussed. Third, there is a goal and policy statement, and fourth, a procedure for plan implementation is provided.
Zoning is established by dividing the township into various zone districts. A zoning ordinance identifies what uses are permitted in each zone district, as well as those uses which are permitted only pursuant to a conditional or special use permit. Each zone district will have its own acreage and setback requirements. Ideally, as is the case here, first the land use plan is developed and approved by the township and then the zoning ordinance is adopted.