A handful of Houston County residents voiced their opposition, and one supported the proposed rezoning of an agricultural protection district to a highway business district in Caledonia Township and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request from Joseph Rud and Craig Helke, at the August 9 meeting.
Chuck Schulte explained that the lack of building sites in Caledonia and the increase in county revenue and jobs from new and expanding businesses as reasons why commissioners should vote in the affirmative.
Rick Frank highlighted the importance of land use as a tool in Houston County for good solid planning. He explained, “That is where the board comes in as being in charge of that plan making sure that ordinances are adopted to support the plan. In the ag districts, we have what is called the agricultural protection districts that have always been supportive of basically helping the farmers out and protecting them to raise their crops and protect their feed lots from what we would consider scattered non-farm growth. What we have here is exactly that. What you are doing is taking good tillable soil that is being presently cropped.”
Other concerns include where the rezoning is for 6 or 14 acres in the middle of an ag district. Residents also wondered how the board could decide without information addressing residents’ concerns.
Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson were all present.
Environmental Services Director Martin Herrick presented a request to rezone an agricultural protection district area to a highway business district in Caledonia Township. Herrick read outloud the eight conditions added by the planning commission. Approved 3-2 with commissioners Severson and Burns voting no.
Commissioners passed the motion 4-1 with Burns, the lone voter, to approve a CUP for Joseph Rud and Craig Helke to operate an agriculture-oriented business in a highway business district.
Houston County property owner, Johnny Micheel, appears before the commission to voice his family’s opposition to the CUP request from Karen Lawstuen, recommending that she consider placing the cabin on the northern end of her property. Commissioners approved the CUP 4-1, with Burns the lone voter. Lawstuen plans to put a 14’x32’ primitive cabin in the Black Hammer Township ag district. In addition to the usual conditions, Herrick noted that one condition was added by the Planning Commission that the cabin is used exclusively for family use. For example, it cannot be used as an AirBnB or Vrbo. There will be a porta-potty but no electric or plumbing. Herrick confirmed that all setback requirements were met.
In other business, the board:
•Approved a CUP for Edward and Janice Hammell. The permit allows the Hammells to operate an agriculture-oriented business in the ag district of Jefferson Township. Herrick noted that the Planning Commission did not add additional considerations to the requirements. It was pointed out that it is a one-employee welding shop, and the existing building is 40’x60’;
•Approved Resolution No. 22-39 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid;
•Approved an EDA Revolving Loan for $15,000 at the 2022 set rate and terms (2.25% for 10 years) to The Butcher Shoppe, LLC for equipment and operating costs for a new business in Hokah, Minn.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, August 23, at 9 a.m. in the County Commission Board Room 222, located on the second floor in the Historic County Courthouse, Caledonia, or via the county conference call line (312) 626-6700 enter ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.