At the March 3 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, a petition with 245 signatures was submitted to the board concerning amendments made to zoning ordinance sections 27.3 and 27.815 in March 2025. The signers of the petition are requesting that the amendments be reverted to their original form as intended when the ordinance was adopted in 2014. According to the petition the changes made last year “effectively removed all provisions that limited mine density.”
During public comments, Houston County resident Cynthia Cresswell-Hatleli, who owns property next to the proposed Olson mine, reviewed the timeline regarding sand mine density standards that were changed in March 2025. She also stated that the neighbors of the proposed Olson mine should have received notice of the main amendment hearing held on February 27, 2025.
According to the March 18, 2025, Board of Commission minutes the commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Commissioner Cindy Wright and seconded by Commissioner Greg Myhre to approve a G-Cubed text amendment to zoning ordinance for sections 27.3 and 27.8. G-Cubed suggested the text amendment to make the rules clearer. The update would also be consistent with what the surrounding counties of Winona and Fillmore County had in their ordinances.
Other county residents shared their opinions with the board highlighting the county’s natural beauty, the health of Houston County residents, harm to county roads, water pollution, decrease in tourism, the availability of sand, and the board’s fiduciary responsibility.
“This is a beautiful, pristine county,” emphasized Anne Yakle, a resident of Houston County since 1988. She asked commissioners to try to find a way to compromise that preserves the quality of the county’s natural environment, including the karst region, pristine springs, water resources, while balancing economic decisions that have to be made. Yakle believes that keeping a half-mile between mines is a realistic compromise.
Donna Buckbee, a transplant from the Twin Cities, shared that 50 years ago she drove down into the Root River Valley, laid eyes on the beauty of Houston County, and fell in love. “This is the most beautiful place on earth. Why not preserve this scenic beauty? I have good authority that there are plenty of places to get sand, if needed. I am not saying don’t mine, but you don’t do it in the most beautiful place on earth. Because once it’s ruined, it’s ruined forever.”
John Haines said he learned throughout his lifetime to avoid making decisions that are irreversible.
Action Items
A $100 donation from the Winona Community Foundation on behalf of the Fastenal Blue Team 2025 Angel Giving Tree fund was accepted by the board. The donation will be used for Houston County’s foster care children.
The board approved a purchase contract for mosquito abatement services with the Driftless Region Vector Control LLC. Public Health Supervisor Jordan Knoke noted that there were no changes to the contract.
The board tabled the airport lease agreement with the city of Caledonia to give County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski time to get answers to the commissioners’ questions regarding the city’s rules for using the courtesy car. Pogodzinski explained that the county cannot provide insurance because it is not allowed by the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust, which does not allow it, and Pogodzinski had no luck with private insurance companies. The League of Minnesota Cities covers airport courtesy cars; therefore, the city is carrying insurance on the car. The county will provide a vehicle and be responsible for maintaining the vehicle.
The board approved Pogodzinski’s request to hire one student to assist the highway department with staking on two highway projects. The position is classified as a temporary seasonal employee and will work roughly eight hours five days a week for three months for just over 67 days. Parker confirmed that the position would be advertised.
Since there were no questions for Finance Director Carol Lapham, the board approved paying the bills.
Leave a Reply