Chapter IV

County Land Use Goals, Objectives, and Policies 

The State of North Dakota allows counties to establish and enforce zoning regulations for the purposes of promoting health, safety, morals, public convenience, general prosperity, and public welfare. The zoning regulations must be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan. The purpose of the comprehensive plan is to establish standards for the county by setting forth explicit goals, objectives, and policies. 

To guide decisions on planning and zoning matters; goal statements identify conditions that are desired in Morton County. Objectives comprise rather general avenues of approach which, when satisfied, will lead to ultimate achievement of the goal statements. Policies are specific guidelines for action to help meet the objectives and thus get closer to achieving the goals. All decisions made regarding planning and zoning should be made with consideration of these goals, objectives and policies.

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Goal 1:

Protect and guide the development of nonurban areas.

Objectives 

1.a            Discourage incompatible land uses from locating in close proximity to one another and implement buffer zones when appropriate. 

1.b            Support adequate and proper enforcement of existing zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and building codes by the County Zoning Compliance Officer. 

1.c            Encourage the development of the flood plain for parks, recreation and agricultural use and discourage residential development there.  

1.d            Encourage nonfarm, residential growth and development to occur within designated rural-residential growth zones.  

1.e            Provide that designs of roads and streets allow for extension to existing roads and streets and that future developments comply with the county’s standard design and construction specifications.  

1.f            Encourage designs for water and sewer systems that allow for extension to existing and future developments within the growth corridor and that comply with current design and construction standards.  

1.g            Assure minimum front, side, and rear yard setback requirements for the purposes of: allowing for a safe separation between the home and traffic, for allowing cars to park in driveways without blocking sidewalks, for allowing future widening of the roadway, for allowing adequate room for snow removal, for allowing space between buildings for access by fire equipment, for airflow and sunlight, space for building maintenance, open space and privacy.

1.h       In accordance with modern and evolving principles of subdivision planning and development, promote flexibility, economy, and ingenuity in the location, layout, and design of subdivisions.

1.i            Promote proper design, construction, and maintenance standards through the comprehensive subdivision plat review process.

1.j            Promote an increased awareness among subdivision residents of their covenants by supporting acquisition and distribution of covenant information.

Policies

 1.a            Evaluate new development and zoning proposals for conformance with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Morton County Comprehensive Plan.  

1.b            Review the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Regulations, and Zoning Map on a periodic basis.  Make revisions and updates as needed to keep in pace with progress and changing circumstances in the County.  

1.c       Create new zoning districts and revise existing zoning district definitions to establish a clear understanding of the allowable uses within each district.  

1.d            Establish clear procedures to be followed in carrying out the enforcement of zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and building codes and the prosecution of violators.  

1.e            Encourage developers to prepare subdivision master plans for areas to be developed incrementally.

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 Goal 2:

Conserve and develop natural resources and restrict uses adversely affecting air quality, water quality, land quality, noise levels, and aesthetics.

Objectives

 2.a            Maintain adequate levels of water quality and availability throughout the county.  

2.b            Prevent rural areas from becoming dump grounds for uses not wanted elsewhere.  

2.c            Prevent soil erosion and save topsoil by encouraging: stormwater management plans for subdivisions; stormwater facilities of adequate size and design; establishing vegetation in bare areas, disturbed areas and drainage swales; and through the implementation of other appropriate land management practices.    

2.d            Ensure the preservation of rural water table by discouraging high-intensity non-farm development and water usage in agricultural areas.  

2.e            Promote the establishment of rural water distribution systems in the county.  

2.f            Lessen the chance of groundwater pollution or excessive nutrient enrichment by requiring that lots, unable to be tied into sewer and water facilities, be in compliance with local and state codes.  

2.g            Develop reasonable zoning regulations to guide the development of proposed animal feeding operations and expansions of existing animal feeding operations to insure compatibility among adjacent land uses and to preserve water quality.  

2.h            Encourage enforcement of the existing weed controls and regulations.  

2.i            Enhance the attractiveness of residential areas by preventing junkyards, other unsightly industries and incompatible uses from locating in or near such neighborhoods. When necessary, use buffer zones or barriers to separate existing conflicting uses.

Policies   

             Evaluate proposed developments and changes to existing developments by asking the questions . . .  How will the proposed change affect the following vital environmental concerns: 

1)  Water quality?

a)     Will the change generate discharges?

b)     Will the change use groundwater, how much? 

2)     Air quality? 

a)     Will the change generate emissions?

b)     Will the change generate odors?

c)      Is the change located near existing odor or emission producing land uses? 

3)     Topsoil preservation?

a)     Will the change result in erosion?

b)     Will measures be taken to prevent erosion? 

4)     Noise? 

a)     Will the change create noise or vibrations?

b)     Is the change located near existing noise producing land uses?

5)     Aesthetics?

            a)     Will the change detract from the surrounding view?

b)     Is a barrier or screening needed?  

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Goal 3

Plan and provide for needed public facilities and services in order to promote public health, safety, and welfare including provisions for emergency management.

Objectives

3.a             Prohibit uses which threaten the physical well being of residents due to flood hazards, fire, erosion, subsidence or other avoidable areas.  

3.b            Require that storm drainage structures and flood controls (such as detention ponds and drainage ways) be constructed where needed to prevent damage from flooding, stormwater runoff, and snowmelt.

 3.c            Assure that utilities meet established health and safety standards.

 3.d       Make sure access points on major roads are limited and spaced properly so as to not create interference with traffic flow by encouraging the construction of frontage roads where appropriate.

 3.e            Maintain clear driving sight lines.

 3.f            Provide sufficient off-street parking.

 3.g       Heavy industrial or commercial developments should be encouraged to locate on primary roadways.

 3.h            Develop and maintain a roadway system that minimizes barriers to the movement of agricultural equipment or products.

 3.i            Protect residential areas from heavy through traffic.

 3.j            Promote consolidation of city and county contractual services as much as possible.

Policies

            Evaluate proposed developments and changes to existing developments by asking the questions . . .

3.a       Will the proposed change endanger, in any way, the physical well being of citizens due to floods, fire, erosion, subsidence, or other avoidable dangers?

3.b       Is the proposed change in compliance with the County Flood Plain Regulations? (Article 12 of County Zoning Regulations)

3.c       Will the proposed change intensify traffic in a manner which results in congestion and traffic hazards?

3.d       Will the impact of the proposed change increase the burden and cost of local government (i.e. sewer and water, police and fire protection, schools, street and highway maintenance) without an equivalent increase in revenues?

3.e       Is there adequate, all weather, and emergency access to the site for public and private use?

3.e            Develop a transportation plan for the county to be done in conjunction with existing municipalities within the county (update annually).

3.f            Promote joint review by city and county of any proposed development within cities’ extraterritorial zones.

3.g            Promote shared use of utility locations by providing a copy of proposed plats to each utility (i.e. rural water, power, TV cable, gas lines, phone lines).

3.h            Develop a (five-year) county capital improvement program to be updated annually.

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Goal 4 

Provide adequately for meeting the recreational and leisure time needs of the public.

Objectives 

4.a            Preserve and enhance the historic, scenic, recreational and valuable natural and wildlife areas in the county.

 4.b            Develop recreational areas which are accessible by the entire public including the elderly and the physically handicapped.

 4.c            Promote tourism by enhancing local features of interest and conserving the natural beauty of the area.

 4.d            Encourage special provisions for the acquisition and protection of scenic easements within the county.

 4.e            Develop public access to rivers and lakes.

Policies

 4.a            Provide for adequate recreation areas, and open space by including park or playground dedications for subdivisions (land or fees in lieu of land transfers) after careful consideration of the suitability and long-term maintenance of the site.

4.b            Evaluate proposed developments and changes to existing developments by asking the following questions:

 4.c       How will the proposed change affect scenic areas?

 4.d       How will the proposed change affect historic sites or landmarks?  

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Goal(s) 5

Protect the economic base of the county through the retention and expansion of existing businesses.

Continue to encourage diversification of the economic base by attracting new primary sector businesses.

Objectives

 5.a            Maintain cooperation with and enhancement of the energy industries.

 5.b            Promote the protection of agriculture and the development of value-added agricultural products industries.

 5.c            Promote the expansion of existing manufacturing.

 5.d            Promote the development of exported services businesses such as telemarketing and data processing.

 5.e            Promote expansion of the tourism industry.

Policies 

5.a       Work with economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and other business people and groups to identify locations and areas suited for proposed developments. 

5.b       Assist developers in liaison with business and property owners in finding properties and locations suited to their plans. 

5.c       Within the scope and confines of this plan, encourage and assist in the location and development of businesses which offer new, well-paying jobs to the people of Morton County.  

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Goal 6

Promote greater participation by the general public in the decision making process.

Objectives

  6.a            Maintain a continuing program of public information in order to keep the planning goals of the county constantly before the eyes of the public.

 6.b            Continue to solicit public input and involvement regarding land use decisions and in plan or ordinance preparation or update.

 6.c       Make all important documents available for review by the public.

 6.d            Develop clear and understandable procedure for changes and amendments to plans as well as ordinances.

Policy

            Make sure all proceedings follow the required publication and hearing processes.