The following is deemed to be a summary of this ordinance suitable for publication pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 375.51.

Removal of the A-2 General Agricultural zoning district; incorporation of various provisions of the A-2 district into the A-1 Agricultural Preservation District; transfer of properties currently zoned A-2 into the A-1 district; establishing residential density options in the A-1 district; amending permitted uses in the A-1 district; amending the conditional uses in the A-1 district; providing for temporary second dwellings in the A-1 district; providing for the size and number of accessory buildings in the A-1 district; amending the site development regulations in the A-1 district; creating a conservation subdivision article that includes terms, definitions, development standards, open space requirements, utility (well and septic) requirements, lot and building design requirements, buffer zone requirements, street requirements, subdivision procedures, permitted uses, accessory uses, design standards, setback and area requirements, landscaping requirements and off street parking requirements; creation of an article allowing the conveyance of development rights and defining the procedures and requirements for transfer; creation of a cease and or abate ordinance enforcement process in addition to current enforcement remedies; increasing the misdemeanor fine to $1,000.00; modifying height regulations in article 3.10; removing the general ground coverage limitation in article 3.13f.; redefining destruction of nonconforming structures; creating an amortization period to bring nonconforming signs into compliance; re-defining requirements for land use permits, conditional use permits, variance permits and temporary land use permits; re-defining the findings required for issuance of a conditional use permit; re-defining conditions that may be imposed on a conditional use permit; establishing time limits for decisions on applications for conditional use permits; establishing conditions for re-applying for a conditional use permit; establishing time limits for making decisions on variance requires; amending the appeals process for administrative, board of adjustment or county board decisions; establishing time limits for appeals; amending findings required for re-zoning or ordinance amendments; establishing time limits for re-zoning and ordinance amendment applications; adds and amends requirements for preparation, submission and review of site plans; adds ability to require performance bonds to ensure compliance with a site plan; re-defining and adding conditional uses in the R-1 Suburban Residential District; re-defining and limiting the number of accessory uses in the R-1 district; re-defining side yard setbacks in the R-1 district; re-defining and adding conditional uses in the R-2 Rural Residential District; re-defining and limiting the number of accessory uses in the R-2 district; re-defining the side yard setbacks in the R-2 district; re-defining permitted uses in the C-1 Commercial District; redefining the conditional uses in the C-1 district; re-defining accessory uses in the C-1 district; re-defining the side yard setbacks in the C-1 district; re-defining conditional uses in the C-2 Neighborhood Commercial District; re-defining the side yard setbacks in the C-2 district; re-defining permitted uses in the I-1 General Industry District; redefining conditional use in the I-1 district; re-defining side yard setbacks in the I-1 district; creating and defining a classification called natural sensitive lakes and listing lakes in that classification; listing lakes that are designated natural environment lakes; listing lakes that are designated recreational development lakes; listing lakes that are designated general development; creating and amending lot area width standards for sewered and unsewered lakes; establishing docking, mooring and over-water storage of limitations for controlled access lots; amending setbacks for dwellings adjacent to public waters; providing for restoration of shoreland vegetative screening; providing restrictions on excavation in bluff and shore impact areas; providing restrictions for riprap along shorelines; incorporating MN Rules 7020.2005 relating to restrictions imposed on animal feedlots in Shoreland Management Overlay District SM-O; establishing accessory building size limits; amending exterior storage performance standards, amending fence performance standards; re-defining and amending the performance standards for home occupations; amending performance standards for individual sewage treatment systems; amending land alterations, grading and filling performances standards; redefining "manufactured home"; re-defining and amending the performance standards relating to nuisances and related violations; requiring land use permits for all permanent signs and billboards and setting minimum standards therefore; exempting authorized or recorded drainage systems from surface runoff performance standards; amending performance standards for temporary buildings and uses; amending performance standards for vegetation established adjacent to highway right-of-way; establishing standards for vegetation removal in the CVO district; amending the performance standards for mineral and material extraction; amending performance standards for hot mix plants, aggregate washing, concrete manufacture and concrete and bituminous recycling; amending requirements for a second dwelling for a caregiver; adding performance standards for cellular communications and personal communication services towers and facilities; amending article 23, Definitions, by adding new terms; re-defining current terms and removing terms; adding an article allowing the purchase and transfer of development rights pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 394.25; adding an article establishing interim use permits that provides when they can be issued, the conditions that may be placed on them and the procedures that will be followed in applying for and considering an application; as well as adding and deleting headings, correcting typographical and grammatical errors, renumbering provisions and other minor housekeeping items.

The effective date of the Ordinance is July 27, 2001. Copies of this ordinance are available for inspection and purchase at the Office of the County Auditor and Zoning Administrator, Meeker County Courthouse, Litchfield, Minnesota, during normal business hours.