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Bill limiting land use moratoriums to get hearing

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Jan 30, 2012 at 1:38 pm

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A bill that would limit the ability of Minnesota counties, cities and townships to impose moratoriums on land use decisions gets a hearing Thursday at the Legislature.

The bill made little headway in past sessions, but its sponsor, Rep. Michael Beard says he thinks the proposal stands a better chance this time around. The Shakopee Republican says the central issue is property rights, and he's hoping to work with local governments to overcome their opposition.

Critics say the bill would interfere with local control over land use decisions. The League of Minnesota Cities and the Association of Minnesota Counties are against it.

Bobby King, an organizer with the Land Stewardship Project, says the bill would have prevented three southeastern Minnesota counties from imposing effective moratoriums against frac sand mining.