The Lincoln City Council held a hearing on a comprehensive plan that has been developed over the past year but fell short of adopting it, with further changes to be made.

The plan had been tabled last month because of some concerns, and they were furthered by local developers at Thursday's council meeting.

A question arose on whether, if adopted, the plan would be passed onto the planning and zoning committee, and whether the policies were just an encouragement or a mandate.

Harlan Heinsohn pointed out that Burleigh County may spend as much as a $100,000 to professionally develop its comprehensive land use plan, while Lincoln's plan has been done on a volunteer basis by interested community members with little significant dollar investment.

Mayor Glenn Christmann, who sits on planning and zoning, said the plan, once adopted, is something the city wants to adhere to as close as possible.

Heinsohn is concerned about language that appears to require new sidewalks be included in areas of new development. Lincoln has few sidewalks and it doesn't make sense to the developer that new sections around the community's fringe would have sidewalks that wouldn't lead anywhere.

Council member Bob Johnston said the language could be included, but in no way had to be binding.

"Why develop a plan if you're not going to at least lean toward putting them in," council member Jon Wagner said.

Lincoln's legal counsel, Stan Boehm, noted that the plan was more of a goal for the city and nothing appears written in stone. The plan is more of a guideline as Lincoln moves into the future.

Mike Heinsohn said that councils change and what may be recommendations to one council could be read differently by the next.

Wagner agreed that the language regarding sidewalks appeared to be a mandate and he was in favor of changing it. The council approved that the plan will "encourage the development of a citywide sidewalk plan."

Wagner also questioned the plan calling for advertisement of professional appointments every time a position expires.

"If we're happy with what we've got, why would we want to go out and advertise?" Wagner said.

The council agreed and removed the language.

Bob Harms, along with the Heinsohns, also questioned a map that is included with the plan which recommends various zoning for part of the city. They made some recommendations for changes which the council accepted.

Auditor Melanie Chaska suggested that the requested changes to the plan be made before final adoption by the council. The council agreed, tabling the issue.

In other action, the council:

- Approved a three-year contract with Burleigh County, to provide Lincoln with assessing services. There was some discussion on whether the assessing could be done by hiring a person as in the past for less than the county was asking. But council members decided that having the county handle the work would provide stability.

- Adopted the finalized version of the 2007 budget.

- Heard that Waste Management is looking to raise garbage rates by 60 cents, which will bring the monthly charge to $9.60.

Renae Beeter, of Waste Management, also inquired about whether the community will be interested in a citywide fall clean up day. The city already has a spring clean up day which is part of its contract with Waste Management.

Beeter said the city could either pay a lump sum for the additional fall clean up and Waste Management would send trucks through all the city streets to pick up refuse. Or individuals could contact the company for pickup, all on a specific day, and the homeowner would be billed directly.

The council took no action on either garbage rates or a fall clean up.

- Heard that Kaleena Bucholz will represent Lincoln at the Miss Teen North Dakota pageant. The council will provide a resolution of support for Bucholz.

- Held a second reading and adopted an ordinance which prohibits accumulation of certain items in yards. It is particularly aimed at junked vehicles and other eyesores.

- Discussed adding a $1 charge to monthly billings which will be put in a street construction fund.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)