A public hearing was held by the Fillmore County Planning Commission on April 8 for a conditional use permit application for a country inn/retreat.
Derrick and Christine Hongerholt own the Bluff Country Retreat located in section 10, Holt Township, in the Ag District about a mile east of Whalan. The property offers 4,500 square feet for a group retreat. There is a single-family home with an attached three-car garage. In addition to the house there is a bunkhouse; both the house and bunkhouse are available for rent for larger groups. There is a crafting room with 10 tables for crafting groups.
The retreat is on 80 acres of woodlands and native grasslands with mowed trails throughout the property. The home and/or bunkhouse is rented to crafting groups, single families visiting the area, and other groups. No food or entertainment is provided. It is not a Bed and Breakfast. Typical rentings are for two or three nights and group sizes range from four to 12. The inn is licensed with the Minnesota Department of Health.
There was no comment from the township or the public.
Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins noted that there are two compliant septic systems, one for the main house and the other for the bunk house. Regulations will be printed on the back of the conditional use permit.
The CUP was approved unanimously and will now go to the county board for their consideration.
Board of Adjustment
As this was the first meeting of this board this year, the first order of business was to elect a chairman and vice-chairman. Steve Duxbury was elected chairman and Andy Bisek was elected vice-chairman.
A public hearing was held on the application submitted by John and Deborah Sustrick, section 16 of Holt Township. The property is located in the Ag District, southeast of Whalan. The requested variance was for a five foot variance from the required setback from the centerline of the road (CR 23) to construct an addition to their house. The Fillmore County Ordinance 604.05 (2)(b) states “no structure shall be allowed within 73 feet of the centerline of a public road.”
There were no comments from the township or public. The variance was approved as requested allowing construction 68 feet from the centerline of the road.