Pictured: Collin Wernimont (bottom left) speaks with the Carroll County Board of Supervisors about his concerns with Carroll’s two-mile zoning district.
During this (Monday) morning’s Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting, a local landowner and young entrepreneur approached county officials in search of a solution for zoning issues that have challenged the construction of a new, small-scale welding shop just northeast of the City of Carroll. Earlier this year, Collin and Dick Wernimont attempted to secure a building permit for a new building on their property near the intersection of Noble Avenue and 170th Street. The land in question is outside of city limits but is still zoned by the city due to an agreement between city and county officials created more than 30 years ago. The contract gives Carroll control over zoning and construction within a two-mile radius of the city’s borders. Collin Wernimont says this agreement leaves residents in this area without proper representation.
In April, the Carroll City Council approved an ordinance amendment creating a special use permit for the Wernimonts to proceed with construction, but they say that permit limits any potential future growth. The board was receptive to their concerns, but Board Chair Stephanie Hausman says it will take some time to determine what options are available.
Under the current arrangement, the Carroll County Board of Supervisors appoints two members of the nine-person Carroll Planning and Zoning Commission. However, the final say on disputes still falls to the Carroll City Council. District 2 Supervisor, Mike Andersen, says he’d like for the county to have more say in the issues affecting the two-mile zone.
The supervisors did not take formal action following Monday’s discussion. The board did indicate they would be willing to bring the issue back for further consideration after consulting with County Attorney John Werden, city officials, and local planning and zoning staff. Video from this portion of Monday’s meeting can be found included below.
