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 Properties involved in Proposed Zoning Changes

Owner Parcel Number Acres Current Zoning Proposed Zoning

Cluever Construction Inc 99250533 2.44 RR 2.5 Commercial District 2
Crow Wing Coop Power & Light 99250538 5 RR 2.5 Commercial District 1
Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church 99250535 4.43 Commercial District 1 No Change
Kyar, Judith 99250532 4.89 RR 2.5 Commercial District 2
Mecl, Wayne 99250517 9.99 RR 2.5 Commercial District 1
Pelican Place LLC 99250516 7.41 RR 2.5 Commercial District 1
Pelican Place LLC 99250537 16.62 Commercial District 1 No Change
Sorenson, Glenda & Bobst, Spencer 99250505 2.44 RR 2.5 Commercial District 2
Trepl, Joshua & Amanda 99250501 6.29 RR 2.5 Commercial District 1
West, Matthew & Brittney 99250518 9.99 RR 2.5 Commercial District 1

NOTE: Properties listed as “No Change” under the “Proposed Zoning” column will not change to a different zoning
district because the existing land use zoning of those parcels is already commercial.
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

# DATE NAME COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS

1 2/28/21 Paul & Judy Juske From: Paul Juske <pauljuske@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2021 4:16 PM
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us>
Cc: Rosemary Franzen
<Rosemary.Franzen@crowwing.us>
Subject: Public comment on proposed
amendments to the Land Use Map
Thank you for your comments.
Concerning the types of commercial uses that would be
allowed under Commercial 1 or Commercial 2 zoning, those
uses are listed within Table 10.3 (p. 39 & 40) of the Land Use
Ordinance, which can be found by either clicking the link
below:

https://www.crowwing.us/DocumentCenter/View/5397/Crow-
Paul & Judy Juske Wing-County--Ordinance--Final-Version?bidId=
16207 Wilderness Way
Brainerd, MN 56401 Or, by accessing www.crowwing.us/ordinance and then
clicking the “Crow Wing County land use ordinance (PDF)”
February 28, 2021 link.

RE: Comments on proposed amendments to
the official Land Use Map
Based on the information we have been able
to obtain:
Concerning building (land use) permits, the Land Use
Ordinance states that permits are valid for two (2) years from
the date of approval.

The area in question seems to be primarily

residential along Pine Beach Rd. and has
been long before these new commercial
properties.

There is no indication as to what type of

commercial industries would be allowed or
not allowed on these properties.

The person in charge of the highways has

told us that Pine Beach Rd. is very busy. We
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

agree since we live right off it. Why, then,

would you want to further increase traffic by
adding more commercial property?

We are only given partial information and

have to find out from other neighbors
affected that even more commercial
development (Pratt, B-Dirt) has already been
approved that has not yet taken place. Why
would you approve building permits for
more commercial development and allow
them to take 5+ years to complete that
construction?

We feel that the county has not looked out

for the health and welfare of the residents in
unorganized Crow Wing County. What
consideration are you giving for health,
environment and quality of life for those
currently living in residential zoning near the
proposed zoning changes? The quality of life
for these residents will be negatively
affected.

Is this part of a comprehensive plan for the

county that will improve the environment,
the health and welfare of its residents and
improve or at least maintain residential
property values? This is what is needed.

For these reasons, we do not approve of the

proposed zoning changes.
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

2 3/3/21 Brian & Rhonda From: Rhonda Thank you for your comments.
Smith Smith <rhonda.smith00@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 6:44 PM
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us>
Subject: Land Use Amendment for Pine Beach/CR
77

March 3, 2021

Dear Crow Wing County Planning Commission,

I am writing to you today in regards to the

proposed Land use map amendments. We have
lived on Blue Heron Drive (just off of CR 77) for the
past 35 years. While it is nice to see changes
coming to the area, this is one that we do not want
to see take place.
Rezoning this area to make it commercially
designated is not in the best interest of the
residents. Those residents being both human and
the natural wildlife that live in in the wooded areas
along CR 77.
The already busy road will become even busier, and
much more dangerous for the residents that live
and walk on side of the road. This designation
takes away from the natural beauty that is still left
there, as so much commercial encroachment has
already been allowed.
You state in your letter addressed to the residents
that you are “committed to providing excellent
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

customer service while helping landowners make

wise choices that protect Crow Wing County’s
extraordinary natural resources.” Is this really
making good use of our natural resources to allow
commercial usage to this designated area? We
think not.

Sincerely,

Brian and Rhonda Smith

15844 Blue Heron Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401

3 3/04/2021 Loren Beilke/White Please find attached comments letter Thank you for your comments.
Sand Lake
Association Best Regards Concerning stormwater runoff, all commercial uses that
-- involve a land use permit application requires a storwmater
Loren Beilke management plan to be submitted to the Coutny and approved
Owner, USAMDT of NW Minneapolis, by County staff that are capable of safely passing a 100 year-
24-hour storm event. Those plans must be consistent with the
Minnesota
most current version of the Minnesota Stormwater Manual.
O: 763.458.0421 | C: 218.454.4008 | F: And, such plans must be designed for permanent on-site
218.454.3140 treatment of one inch of stormwater runoff on all impervious
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy surface coverage on the lot. The plans must be effectively
implemented by expiration of the land use permit (2 years) or
See Letter 1 attached upon substantial completion of the project, whichever is
sooner. These stormwater management requirements are more
stringent than residentially zoned properties because
stormwater management plans are only required on residential
properties if the impervious coverage exceeds 15% on a
particular property.

Concerning septic systems, any and all septic systems

proposed to be installed, including those for commercial uses,
must be designed, inspected, and installed by licensed septic
professionals through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

4 3/04/2021 Karen Taverna
5 3/04/2021 Philip Hunsicker
2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments
(MPCA). A well designed and maintained septic system will
effectively protect groundwater resources.
From: Karen Taverna <kmtaverna@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 4, 2021 3:54 PM Thank you for your comments.
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us>
Subject: Ordinance
I’m writing to express my opposition to the
rezoning of the properties along the Pine Beach
Road to commercial. This area is 2 miles off the
commercial corridor of Hwy 371 and is a
neighborhood where many families have lived for
decades. This is currently zoned Shoreland with
much of the property between two lakes (Carlson
and Red Sand) resulting in a lot of wildlife in the
area. A change to the use of this land will have a
negative impact on the peace and privacy of the
residents and on the habitat of the abundant
wildlife. Please reconsider this proposed change.
Karen Taverna
From: Philip Hunsicker Thank you for your comments. Concerning stormwater
<philiphunsicker44@gmail.com> management, see staff responses to comment #3, above.
Sent: Thursday, March 4, 2021 8:05 PM
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us> Concerning commercial lighting and other commercial
Subject: rezoning on north side of Red Sand Lake standards, all commercial uses must adhere to Article 16 of the
land use ordinance, which specifies requirements for lighting,
parking, screening to residential uses, and other commercial
Dear Members of the Planning Commission and
performance metrics.
the County Board,
I live on Red Sand Lake and was recently
informed of the proposed zoning changes that
would convert properties located within the
shoreland zone to Commercial District 2. The
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

shoreland zone was created to protect our

county's rich water resources, and any
development happening within that zone must
adhere to stricter standards to protect water
quality. Creating commercial development
opportunities within the 1000-foot shoreland
protection zone would significantly increase
development pressures on Red Sand Lake,
especially stormwater management and loss of
the night sky with the installation of
commercial lighting along Pine Beach Rd.
These things matter to those of us who live on
the lake. Red Sand Lake, which is a DNR
Sentinel Lake and is studied with rigor, is a
shallow lake, and as such, it is sensitive to
stormwater increases/fluctuations that will
occur with an increase in nearby impervious
surfaces like large commercial buildings,
expansive parking lots, etc. Within the last few
years, significant rains and the resulting
stormwater runoff from adjacent lightly
developed rural residential properties have
raised the level of Red Sand Lake and
neighboring White Sand Lake into which Red
Sand flows. Properties on White Sand Lake
experienced historic flooding, and a channel on
the northwestern side of Red Sand Lake - not
too far from where you now propose a change
to Commercial District 2 - had to be reopened
to save the significant investments of White
Sand homeowners. Any increase to stormwater
runoff would be catastrophic for those
homeowners.
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

Some light commercial development on the

north side of Pine Beach Rd., which we are
already seeing with Mike's Tree Service, a
small strip development, and a church, might be
acceptable, depending on the development
standards put in place. Commercial
development on the south side of Pine Beach
Rd. would not be prudent. That is the buffer
area to protect the lake and its sensitive
shoreland from any development that might
occur on the north side of Pine Beach Rd.
Red Sand Lake residents hope the county will
listen to us, and value our opinions, our
properties, and our peaceful lake retreats before
making any substantial changes to the shoreland
zoning district.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Philip Hunsicker
15243 Garrett Lane
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-825-9215
philiphunsicker44@gmail.com

6 3/05/2021 Rod & Jennifer From: Jennifer Skorich <cddonuts@gmail.com> Thank you for your comments.
Skorich Sent: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 6:00 PM
To: Jacob Frie <Jacob.Frie@crowwing.us>
Subject: Zoning Change on County Road 77

Good afternoon,
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

Our names are Rod and Jennifer Skorich our

address is 15905 Red Sand Lake Road
Brainerd, MN 56401.

We received a copy of the letter dated February

8, 2021 about the proposed amendment changes
for County Road 77. At this time it will not
directly affect us but we do know how the
system works. We are opposed to any changes
that would affect the peaceful neighborhood
and quality of life that we have at this time. I'm
afraid of what will be coming down the road as
far as city water, sewer and annexation. I guess
to make a long story short
PLEASE PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE!! Do
the development within the city.

Thanks for reading this. We appreciate all that

you do for us.

Rod and Jennifer Skorich

7 3/05/2021 Brian Twamley
Brian Twamley
From: brtbrt@charter.net <brtbrt@charter.net>
Sent: Friday, March 5, 2021 2:39 PM
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us>
Subject: Proposed Zoning changes - Pine Beach
Road
Thank you for your comments. Concerning water quality,
County approved stormwater management plan are required to
be implemented for all commercial uses on commercially
zoned property. See staff response to comment #3, above.
Also, all commercial development that requires a land use
permit are subject to County septic requirements – see staff
response to comment #3, above. Other requirements which
have potential influences on water quality must be adhered to
as well including maximum impervious coverage, well
locations (Minnesota Department of Health), setbacks to
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

public watercourses, and other commercial requirements

This email is in reference to the propose zoning (Article 16 of the Land Use Ordinance).
changes for the area along county road 77 (Pine
Beach Road).

As a resident on Patterson Road on the NW shore of

Red Sand Lake, this change is more than a bit
concerning. Given that the area being proposed for
changes is existing wetland, lowland and already
designated Shoreland, I'm not seeing the benefit or
rationale that would support such a change.

Red Sand Lake and White Sand Lake residents have

been dealing with unusually high water levels with
little ability to control. One big concern is
commercial development, if it happened to be in or
near the areas where our watershed is affected,
could make those problems worse. Water levels and
water quality impacts would need to be considered.

Changing the areas south of Pine Beach and the

areas north of Pine Beach around Carlson Lake
since those are in close proximity to Carlson Lake
and Red Sand just seems like a dangerous and
unnecessary risk.

If I had to vote, I would not vote for these changes,

as the vision and necessity of this change is unclear.

8 3/05/2021 City of Baxter
2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments
Thanks, Brian Twamley, 15685 Patteron Rd,
Brainerd, MN 56401
From: Bradley Chapulis
<BChapulis@baxtermn.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 12:40 PM
To: Jacob Frie <Jacob.Frie@crowwing.us>
Cc: Tim Houle <Tim.Houle@crowwing.us>; Tim
Bray <Tim.Bray@crowwing.us>; Aric Welch
<Aric.Welch@widseth.com>; Brian Ross
<Brian.Ross@widseth.com>; Trevor Walter
<TWalter@baxtermn.gov>
Subject: City of Baxter Response Letter - Proposed
County Land Use Ord/Map Amendments
Mr. Frie:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the
proposed amendments to the County’s Land Use
Ordinance and Map. Attached is a letter outlining
the City of Baxter’s comments/concerns on the
proposed changes, particularly those along County
Road 77. A hard copy of the letter was sent via
USPS this morning. Should you have any questions
or would like to discuss the items outlined in the
letter, please do not hesitate to call me.
Thanks.
Brad
Thank you for your comments. Crow Wing County shares
your concerns regarding surface and groundwater influences
as a result of potential developments on properties in Crow
Wing County. That is why Crow Wing County’s Land Use
Ordinance includes enhanced performance standards for both
residential and commercial properties alike in order to protect
the County’s water quality. These increased standards include
stormwater management requirements (see staff response to
comment #3), septic system requirements (see staff response
to comment #3), and other provisions. Before land use permits
are issued, staff performs site visits to properties to ensure
setbacks and other ordinance provisions are adhered to prior to
approving the land use permit. We look forward to ensuring
that the County’s high standards of protecting our natural
resources, including surface and groundwater quality, is
placed at the forefront of decision making while also
considering future land use planning concepts that are
reasonable and prudent to well-ordered developments in Crow
Wing County.

9 3/05/2021 Janine Letendre
2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments
Bradley Chapulis
Baxter City Administrator
13190 Memorywood Drive
Baxter, Minnesota 56425
218-454-5105
bchapulis@baxtermn.gov
See Letter 2 attached
See Letter 3 attached Thank you for your comments. Concerning taxes, property tax
assessment valuations of properties are based on the use of the
property, rather than its current zoning district (i.e.,
commercial vs. residential). If the use of a commercially
zoned property remains in residential use, then the assessed
value will be for that type of use.
Concerning actual taxed paid, the spending decisions of local
governments – County, Cities, Townships and School Districts
– determine whether tax rates go up or down. For example, if
the assessed value of all properties in Crow Wing County
went down equally by 10 percent, property taxes could still be
higher if the budgets of local governments were higher.
Assessment valuations are determined without regard to tax
rates, but according to comparable sales values as discussed
above for comparable properties and uses. The tax rate is
determined at a later point, based upon the level of spending
approved by local elected officials at the County, City, and
Township and School District levels. Local units of
government determine how much they need to run their
operation – values are only used to determine how big a share
of that spending each property has to pay.
 2021 Proposed Zoning Change Public Comments

Concerning standards that apply to commercially zoned

properties, please refer to staff responses to comment #3 and
#5.
10 3/05/2021 Karyl Smith See Letter 4 attached Thank you for your comments.
11 3/05/2021 Zach Grunst See Letter 5 attached Thank you for your comments.
12 3/05/2021 Joseph & Renae See Letter 6 attached Thank you for your comments.
Czeczok
13 3/05/2021 Van Sickle See Letter 7 attached Thank you for your comments.
14 3/05/2021 Karl & Marlene See Letter 8 attached Thank you for your comments. Concerning assessed
Smith valuations of property and property taxes, please see staff
response to comment #9.
15 3/05/2021 Gary & Cindy Finch See Letter 9 attached Thank you for your comments. Concerning assessed
valuations of property and property taxes, please see staff
response to comment #9.
16 3/05/2021 Signed Petition See Petition AGAINST REZONING Pine Beach Thank you for your comments.
Road Properties from Residential to Commercial
Letter 1
Letter 2
Letter 3
Letter 4
Letter 5
Letter 6
Letter 7
Letter 8
Letter 9
Petition
 By Kirstin Lindbery at 2:03 pm, Mar 22, 2021

Kirstin Lindbery

Subject: FW: REZONING PROPOSAL ALONG COUNTY ROAD 77

From: danberg56472@yahoo.com <danberg56472@yahoo.com>  
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2021 10:27 AM 
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us> 
Subject: REZONING PROPOSAL ALONG COUNTY ROAD 77 

To whom it may concern:

I am writing in reference to the rezoning proposal along County Road 77.

I would never have bought property here had I known it may someday be rezoned to commercial. It seems very unfair
that a board of elected officials , that we elected to look out for our best interests, would consider doing this.

Rosemary, when you were last running for office, you and I had a long conversation about the traffic and speed on this
road and you agreed it was a problem that should be addressed. You brought up your own street and the problem with
people speeding on it. After you were reelected I sent you an Email asking if we could get a sign posting the speed limit,
and signage to tell people not to pass on the shoulder. You said that shouldn't be a problem and referred me to Tim
Bray. Tim informed me that the county doesn't post speed limit signs on county roads or signs that tell people not to drive
on the shoulder. When I pointed out that there was a sign just west of the Gull River, on County Road 77, telling people
not to drive on the shoulder, the sign was removed.

People dog walk and ride bikes on this road and adding more traffic will make that more dangerous. Allowing Land Werks
to put their business on this road has already added more noise and truck traffic. Changing this area to commercial will
ultimately lead to more traffic and more noise and our property values going down.

Is Crow Wing county willing to compensate the property owners, many of whom have lived here for a long time and can
no longer enjoy their homes and have decided to move, for their property being worth less money?

I am a disabled veteran on a fixed income. I have no way to make up taking a loss on my property value. I sincerely
hope the board considers the impact this could have on the property owners and taxpayers involved.

Thank you for your consideration,

Ardan Z. Berg

Contact information:

danberg56472@yahoo.com
Phone number: 218-513-7000
5001 Pine Beach Road
Brainerd, MN 56401

1
 By Kirstin Lindbery at 3:55 pm, Mar 30, 2021

Kirstin Lindbery

Subject: FW: Planning commission city rd 77

  
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ 
From: Dale Bosch <dalebosch218@gmail.com>  
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2021 3:01 PM 
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us> 
Subject: Planning commission city rd 77 
 
My name is Dale Bosch a residence at 15755 Patterson Rd., Brainerd, MN we live on the north west corner of red Sand 
lake. I am very concerned about the runoff issues into Red Sand Lake , the amount of sodium ( road salt) that is running 
into the lake from the roads and quite frankly the businesses on the west side of 371 is changing the make up of our 
lake.  Rezoning the length of 77 will not improve this, especially if more impervious surfaces are put in on the south side 
of 77 between 371 and Patterson rd Dale Bosch  
 
 
Sent from my iPhone 

1
Date April 6, 2021

To Crow Wing County Board

On March 30, 2021, I attended a virtual Crow Wing County Planning Commission meeting.
One of the meeting topics was a proposal to rezone land on the north side of Red Sand Lake
along Pine Beach Road (Hwy 77). The properties currently zoned as part of the Protective
Shoreland District would be rezoned to Commercial District 2.

I listened carefully. What I learned about the process, however, disturbed me. No one at this
meeting spoke in favor of this zoning change. No part of the documents I received identified
any benefit of this change. Everyone (virtually) present spoke out strongly against the
change.

My read? Even though the proposal seems wildly unpopular, it made it this close to the
approval stage. All of the preliminary steps appear to have been left out. I'm offended by
the lack of transparency. There appears to be a process that represents the unstated goals of
parties that are not identified.

I am concerned that several details are missing:

County staff informed us that the rezoning idea was initiated during a working session
involving the Planning Commission, the County Board, and County staff. They did not
identify:
 When the session occurred
 Who was in attendance?
 Who initially floated the idea?
 Who spoke in favor of it? Who was against?
 How does the proposed change advance the common good?
 If there was a vote to adopt the proposal, who favored it?
 In short, were meeting minutes generated and posted?

At some point the Crow Wing County Planning Commission met and accepted the
working session's recommendation and distributed materials to the public for the
hearing which occured March 30. Are there minutes from this meeting?

I have not seen the minutes from the March 30 meeting of the Crow Wing County
Planning Commission.

I have not seen the zoning change recommendations from the March 30 meeting of
the Crow Wing County Planning Commission.

I vigorously oppose the rezoning of shoreland properties to commercial properties along the
south side of Pine Beach Road. I understand that land use policy always involves competing
interests. I find it unacceptable, however, to consider commercial rezoning of land within the
footprint of a Protective Shoreland District. Finally, the process used and the communication
of details is glaringly deficient.

Sincerely,

John Hoffman
15880 Blue Heron Drive
Brainerd, MN
 By Kirstin Lindbery at 12:05 pm, Mar 23, 2021

Kirstin Lindbery

Subject: FW:

 
From: Brian Rinio <rinio787@gmail.com>  
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2021 8:53 PM 
To: Landservices <Landservices@crowwing.us> 
Subject:  

Brian Rinio 15970 Red Sand Lake Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401

I do not agree with turning this residential area into a commercial district. The area highlighted to be changed to
commercial to the south of 77 is completely residential and should remain that way. Residents down redsand
lake road have agreed to this. We want to know what the reasons are behind this and why it has even been
brought up. Changing to a commercial zone affects (in a negative way to us) our building permits and set back
requirements for any future plans that we had and any others may have had in this area. It restricts the
improvements and uses that we can make on our properties.

We are looking for the answers to the following questions:

•What impact will it have on our taxes with changing to commercial zoning?

•What is the difference between commercial district 1 and commercial district 2 zoning?

•What is/are the reason/reasons for changing this area to a commercial zone?

•Are there tentative plans that have caused this zoning issue? Example:Are there large businesses planning on
building here, commercial buildings being constructed in place of homes that are already there?

•Are there any foreseeable road assessments with this zoning change?

•What will be the affect on land value?

•Who proposed this possible change to commercial zoning?

In conclusion, residents in this area feel this change is unnecessary, unexpected and concerning for the families
that have built their homes here and for future families moving into this area.

1
March 30, 2021, Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment
Proposed Land Use Map Amendments – County Road 77

Discussion began with Frie explaining the history of this proposal. In late 2020, early 2021, there was a series of Work
Sessions with the County Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission / Board of Adjustment Members, and Staff. As
a result of those discussions and work sessions, and per direction, we prepared a proposed list of fifty-one (51) individual
properties along a 1.5 mile corridor on either side of County Road 77 (Pine Beach Road) – from the City of Baxter area
and State Highway 371 to the East, and to Patterson Road to the West. This list of parcels is proposed to possibly be re-
zoned from Rural Residential 2.5 (RR2.5) or Shoreland District to Commercial 1 or Commercial 2 zoned properties. As
part of this proposal, 38 of the 51 properties listed would be proposed to change zoning, and 14 properties would stay the
same (in this instance - a majority of a parcel must be zoned the proposed zoning class in order for the parcel to be
considered Commercial).

A Public Comment Period was opened on February 5, 2021, and was closed on March 5, 2021. A total of sixteen (16)
comments were received, one of which consisted of a Petition of twenty-six (26) individuals in opposition of the proposed
zoning change. In total, fourteen (14) comments were received from individuals, one (1) comment from White Sand Lake
Association, and one (1) comment from the City of Baxter. These comments can generally be considered unsupportive of
the proposal. We have received four (4) additional comments since the end of the Public Comment Period – two (2) of
which are included in the online packet, and two (2) that have been emailed and printed for Board Members tonight. All
Board Members acknowledged they had received and read all comments. Responses to all comments received during the
Public Comment Period are also included in the online packet of information.

Frie then explained the proposal. Hales asked if the Board Members had questions at this time. No questions raised.

Hales then opened the Floor to Public Testimony. Numerous meeting attendees, neighbors, and property owners
provided testimony via videoconference or phone, and that testimony can be characterized as generally unsupportive with
numerous concerns raised. Those who provided Public Testimony included: Jerome Urbaniak, Loren Beilke, Phil
Hunsicker (not representing the DNR), Lisa Meachum, Dale Bosch, Bryan and Rhonda Smith, Brian Wallace, Bob
Hanson, Brian Twamley, Jeanine Latond

Concerns included water quality and pollution; preservation and protection of water and natural resources and the
environment with numerous lakes and wetlands in the area; there is no inlet/outflow into or out of Red or White Sand
Lakes; stormwater issues and watershed; light pollution and losing the rural nature of the area – “losing the night sky”;
shoreland protection zone concerns about commercial development so close to lakes; increased traffic with Commercial
businesses in residential areas; increased traffic could potentially result in increased run-off, road salt and contaminants;
broad range of potential commercial businesses could be located in these areas. Specific areas around the nearby lakes
were singled out and property owners around those lakes are concerned and unsupportive - concerned most about losing
the peace, tranquility, and ‘quietness’ of this area. Noise pollution is ‘creeping in’. Numerous questions were raised which
included property tax implications and valuations – property tax is determined by the USE on the property, not the zoning
classification); advantages to having Commercial property – broader range of uses; issue of loans was presented also,
commercial vs residential? City water and city sewer possibilities and implications were also questioned – we are not
aware of any request from the City of Baxter to annex at this time. Septic will be addressed with ISTS and individual wells.
Lake water level concerns were also expressed. Commercial permits were discussed – without researching our permit
records, we do not have an answer to the number of permits or pending permits along this corridor.

Frie showed the Ordinance Land Use Tables, and named a number of types of businesses which could potentially be
located within each of the districts. The proposed Land Use Amendment is being considered at this time due to a number
of re-zoning requests that have been located along County Road 77. Commercial Uses along this corridor are becoming
more abundant, and the Boards have tried to discuss and strategically look at rezoning requests that are becoming more
frequent in this area.

Discussion commenced. Preferences and alternatives were posed. Properties North of County Road 77 and not so far
west could be those proposed to be rezoned. Planning Commission recommends that the County Board take public
concerns and comments into consideration with this proposal. Reconsideration of a more broad reclassification along this
corridor could be discussed as a future possibility.

5
March 30, 2021, Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment
Decision:
Motion by Skogen; supported by Yliniemi, to make a recommendation to the County Board of Commissioners to
approve the following amendment to the Official Land Use Map:

Properties zoned Rural Residential 2.5 or Shoreland District be re-zoned to Commercial 1 or Commercial 2, on
the North side of County Road 77 only, from State Highway 371/City of Baxter line West to Wilderness Road.

No changes to parcels located South of County Road 77 are proposed; property ID numbers within this area and
new proposed zoning maps to be determined by staff per guidelines proposed, prior to County Board
presentation.

Roll call vote: Skogen, Maske, Best, Yliniemi, Hales – all voting "Aye"; Unanimous; Motion for amended
recommendation of Approval, Carried.

Recess: 6:55 PM

Reconvened: 7:02 PM