by Nancy McGill, The Milford Times

    The Pleasant Dale Planning and Zoning Commission still isn't sure what's ahead of them concerning the village's comprehensive plan.
     At the village board's regular meeting Feb. 8, Planning Commission Chair Scott Cornish said he doesn't know what's being asked of the commission. The commission met Jan. 16 to discuss recommendations on cattle feeding operations and zoning of multi-family dwellings.
     On Jan. 11, Cornish asked the board for written instructions as to how the board should proceed regarding the issues because they do not have updated maps. He was promised the maps, but did not receive them. The maps are still not updated.
     The cattle feeding operation refers directly to Aaron VanAndel's cow/calf operation on the northwest corner of Pleasant Dale.
     A special meeting was held in November to address VanAndel's operation. His plan was to have approximately 300 cow/calves, according to the minutes. He said he had checked to make sure his operation was within the law and if permits were required.
     VanAndel also said he had a survey and asked how far the fence needed to be placed off the boundary line between his property and the village, which adjoins the corporate limits on the northwest corner of Pleasant Dale.
     There was no decision made on record at the special meeting.
     According to reports from the commission, VanAndel has begun his operation. VanAndel was asked to submit plans to the commission two to three months ago and there was no response. A letter sent Jan. 29 by the commission has also received no response.
     Residents were concerned about the operation at the village's regular November meeting. One of the main concerns was the operation may be too close to the village's west well.
     In November, Vern Lemmert, then village chair, said the issue should go to the planning commission for review. At a public hearing for the comprehensive plan Nov. 16, Lemmert said the operation was the subject of the special meeting Nov. 20, but after listening to VanAndel, the board did not take a formal vote.
     In January, the commission was supposed to review the operation and make recommendations; however, they're not sure why because VanAndel's operation is already up and going.
     "We need to know what it is we're looking into," Cornish said at this month's village meeting.
     "We will do the best that we can to give you the material you need for your next meeting," Village Chair Mike Reed said.
     The planning commission was to meet Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
    Comp plan controversy
     Part of the controversy centers around Hannah-Keelan Associates, the firm hired by the village to rework the comprehensive plan. The firm's proposed plan, which was to be done in 2004 and had not been approved by the end of 2006, not only contained misspelled words and grammatical errors, it was also just plain wrong.
     In one instance, Hannah-Keelan called Pleasant Dale "Garland" and in another, stated the village had one well when it had two. The commission had more than 30 changes to the firm's plan.
     The firm also recommended zoning for multi-family dwellings on the east and south side of the town square and down Walnut Street, which leads farther east of the square. But the people of Pleasant Dale are opposed to more multi-family dwellings in their hometown. The planning commission and residents seem to agree that either the square be zoned commercial or single-family.
     For example, people are asking why a permit was given to build a duplex close to the town square, when instead, the finished structure was built to townhouse specifications. At the time the permit was issued, the comprehensive plan did not include regulations for townhouses.
     They voiced their concerns at the public hearing in November of last year. Under pressure, the board voted to change the proposed zoning to single-family and corrections were needed on the maps, maps the commission has still not seen.
     At the January village board meeting, Cornish requested the board provide the maps, along with the new plan in time for the commission's Jan. 16 meeting. He had no idea what the board approved or didn't approve because the commission has not seen the final results.
     The maps were promised to Cornish at the meeting, however, the commission did not have them in hand for its meeting. At that time, the village clerk, village attorney, a planning commission member and Seward County's planning commission were still in need of comprehensive plan books.
     A compact disc with the plan and maps was given to a member of the commission for printing, however, the disc did not contain the updated information. The disc was made prior to the board's approval of the plan.
     At the Feb. 8 meeting, Reed said the firm's responsibility to the community had been filled and they were paid in full.
     "Hannah-Keelan never would show up to meetings," Boardmember Leroy Trease said.
     "Once they were paid for, we were sunk," Boardmember Bob Hays said.
    Publication discussed
     In other business, the publication of the 2006 minutes was discussed. Village Clerk Kathy Allen said she thought the issue was taken care of. Although the village did publish its minutes and claims earlier this year, it did not publish village employee job titles and the annual, monthly or hourly salaries of those job titles. By law, the village should have published the information between July 15 and Aug. 15 of 2006.
     Nebraska State Statute Sec. 19-1102 dictates: "Each job title published shall be descriptive and indicative of the duties and functions of the position."
     Descriptions of job titles, specifically, the village maintenance department came into question at January's meeting. A number of Pleasant Dale citizens are confused as to why certain board members are performing maintenance duties and getting paid and what the actual maintenance department is doing.
     Hays said it's illegal for board members to pay themselves for maintenance duties. He had contacted the League of Municipalities for advice.
     Past village attorney Robert Blevens also said it was illegal. Reed said the village does not want to break the law.
     "We want to be compliant," he said.
     Hays was still asking about former board members Kevin Cline and Vern Lemmert being paid more than $700 in the last quarter of 2006 for maintenance.
     In January, Hays said, "You call 'em time sheets, I call 'em crime sheets."
     Lemmert was at this month's meeting, but Cline wasn't. Lemmert is now working for the maintenance department. His last meeting as village chair was in December. Lemmert agreed to compile a list of his work and time.
    Parking problems
     Another hot button issue was the semi tractor-trailers parked overnight at the Pleasant Dale Quick Stop inside the village's corporate limits. Reed said the board needs to re-evaluate an ordinance.
     Village residents are concerned that: 1. Ordinances are not enforced and 2. Allowing semi tractor-trailers to park at the Quick Stop means the trucks will park on the village streets as well.
     Reed said the problem is most likely an issue for the Seward County Sheriff's department. Village residents and board discussed the problem at length, however, nothing was decided.