Okay. Nope. One, two. That one's on time for a while. That's perfect. Did you hit record? I did. Okay. Did you hit record? I did. Okay. Did you hit record first? Yep. Okay. I'll do that. So do I call the record? I do. Okay. Perfect. Just waiting for nine We'll call the meeting to order. Please join us for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call. All the commissioners are present today along with several staff members.
Our first item is to approve the agenda. Are there any changes or additions, Sean? Not that I'm more open. Motion to approve the agenda as written. I have a motion by Commissioner Springer, seconded by Commissioner Powers to approve the agenda as presented. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Our next item is staff updates. There are no staff updates. Okay. Administrator updates? We have a couple anniversaries we're going to share today. The first one is for Eric Passi. He works for the highway department. Eric has been with the county for ten years.
He grew up local in Kellogg. He worked for his dad, LJ Passi, and grew up around heavy equipment, so he was a natural fit for our highway department. He is a dedicated, great employee. He he has a good work ethic. I wish he were here today. We could give him a round of applause, but he's not. Very dependable, loyal, and we're very happy to have him work for us. Good. And then Jacob. I'm not gonna go to the microphone. I think I'm loud enough. We have Tina Wallerick here today. She's celebrating fifteen years with Bobcat County. She's an eligibility worker in our income maintenance program.
We're just super pleased, for the fifteen years that Tina has spent. Tina is one of those people where you never have to ask twice and usually don't have to ask once, very self motivated. Does a lot of work with our childcare program. A lot of people in the community struggle finding childcare, struggle paying for it. And the person they usually connect to is is Tina. And she's able to help people through, you know, the tough time, get them connected. And then she also, works very closely with the sheriff's department in the fraud prevention program. And without that, that's I mean,
you know, the amount that it saves everybody in the room and and and just, the accountability that that we have in Longchai County that starts starts with Tina. And I'm just super happy with the work that she does. For me as the supervisor, for all of you here in the room as Bottomshire County residents, and and we really wouldn't be in the spot that we're in and be as successful as we are without without workers like Tina. So thank you all. Thank you, Tina. Thank you. Thank you, Tina. Our next item is the,
public forum. And it appears, mostly you are here to speak on the Cornerstone Development except for, Terry Peters. So, Terry, do you wanna come up first? I don't know if you wanna hang around for everything else. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Terry Peters from the Wabasha, Maryland Water Conservation District. Just, update on a couple things, and I'll be brief because it looks like you have a lot of people that wanna talk today. So, our annual tree sale is kinda wrapping up, and, our pickup day is planned for April 25. We'll still continue selling trees that we have some available.
This year, we've worked with a local resident who bought trees in the past, but, had a lot of walnut seedlings and was wondering if he could sell them through us. We worked with him to get a, he went through MDA to get a nurse certificate. So Stacy Miller is where we're getting our local walnut trees. Also, we've been working on a market study and wage analysis and some HR things. And I will say, Sean and Katie have been super helpful, and we really appreciate the county partnership on that.
Last thing, I had sent, Bob a message yesterday. I've talked a little bit about the potential for the, regional Southeast regional groundwater protection and soil health program that would, imitate Olmsteads. And the Olmstead legislative aide has been taking that through, the bill through the house. There's going to be an a hearing at the Ag Committee tomorrow, and it sounded kind of promising. She'd asked for a letter of support from us, and I had included Bob when I let my board know. And, he's interested maybe in talking to you about,
letter of support from the county, which, if I have it by tomorrow or Jennifer does, she could deliver that to the, committee. And, if there's any questions on that, please let me know, and I can forward any relevant information. Would you have a template, Terry, that we could follow? Yep. I sure do. I'll forward that. Is there interest or support from the board of signing a letter of support for this program? I think so. Yeah. K. Right. Thank you. Should she send the letter to you?
Or You can send it to me, and I will get, all the board members to sign it. Okay. Perfect. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. So everyone else on the public forum is going to speak to the cornerstone development. So I would give you a choice. If anyone has to leave, you can speak now. Otherwise, we'll have a public comment when we get to that item on the agenda. So anyone wish to speak now, or do you all wanna wait? We'll wait. We'll be there fairly soon. So our next item is our consent agenda, which consists of the minutes from March 18,
the claims per diems, the meal vouchers, from the highway department, accept an award bid to Minnewaha Construction, From public health approved the tobacco license. Also public health approved purchase of carts and equipment for our radiation reception center. Public health, avoid opioid settlement funds to Lake City Ambulance. Also from public health, avoid excuse me. Approve opioid settlement to funds to Steve Rummler Hope Network. Approve opioid settlement funds to Recovery is Happening,
and, approve opioid settlement funds to Wabasha County Jail. Madam Chair, I'll move on the consent agenda. We have motion by commissioner second, seconded by commissioner Wakas to approve the consent agenda as presented. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Okay. Onto the action items. Our first item is consideration of the Cornerstone Ridge preliminary plat. Joe, do you wanna come up and give us synopsis, and then we'll let the public speak? Morning. Morning. Joe. On 02/20/2025, a preliminary plat application was submitted by Brent Beck of Cornerstone Real Estate to plat
Cornerstone Ridge. The subject properties are described as Wabasha County parcels R 09.002750 and R09.00272.24 located in Section 27, Township 109 North, Range 14 West, Mazeppa Township on approximately 109 acres in the Agricultural Urban Fringe District or A3. Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on 03/24/2025 to hear any testimony related to the request. After considering the testimony, Planning Commission on a vote of five to zero recommends that the proposed preliminary plat
of Cornerstone Ridge be approved. Thank you. We do have an email that was submitted to us by a constituent and Sean is going to read that into the record. I request you please read this letter during the public discussion in your meeting regarding the Cornerstone Real Estate LLC preliminary plat in Mazeppa Township, April First Twenty Twenty Five, as I am not able to attend in person due to work obligations. My first three concerns are reflected in the county engineer's Dietrich Flesch public email regarding this plat from the planning commission meeting attended by Commissioner Powers and Wabi.
I spoke to Mr. Flesch in his office 03/28/2025 and he has not approved the proposed roads and agreed to let me use those points from his email to express my concerns. Number one, the subdivision ordinance requires provisions for stormwater runoff including drainage and culverts. No stormwater runoff or control information was included in the submittal. This is critical to determine what effects this proposal may have on water runoff to other local properties with possible impact on private wells,
local wetlands and the Zembro River. Number two, a portion of proposed Road A appears to be within bluff land setbacks. The setback ordinances state 30 foot setback of this road from private property. Subdivisions regulations state road minimum width of 30 feet and right of way of 66 feet. If this road is to be built to Wabasha County ordinances, it does not meet code in this section. Also, there is an ordinance that states roads, driveways, and parking areas must not be placed within bluff impact zones when other reasonable and
feasible placement alternatives exist. Number three, there is no road horizontal or vertical curve information, no road grade information, and no detail of proposed access onto County Highway 21. The subdivision ordinance requires less than maximum road grade, a design speed, and minimum curb design for streets within subdivision. Proposed road A is along a slope that does not meet current maximum street grade of 10%. This is critical for emergency medical services access. Number four,
the proposed roads are public. The maintenance of the roads are to be designated to the homeowners association and will not be maintained by the Mazeppa Township. There are no homeowners associations that maintain public roads in Mazeppa Township and possibly all of Wabasha County, especially when there are already concerns for slope and proximity to the bluff. Number five, right to farm. There are several local farms that would be impacted by this development. If this development is approved, some of the farmers would publicly stated that they will cease to farm.
Furthermore, according to crop equivalency ratio, proposed lots are in areas where CER is 75 or greater, which should be preserved for agriculture according to Wabichuk County. Number six, several of the lot size for the preliminary plat do not meet the requirement of two dry buildable acres, as you cannot place a building or structure on a bluff or a bluff impact zones. Thank you for reviewing these concerns to ensure this development is built according to Wabasha County ordinances and protect the safety of current and future residences. And this was submitted by John Erickson.
Thank you, Sean. For those of you who are gonna speak, please come up to the microphone and state your name, your address. And we do have a three minute time limit on our public forum, so please try to adhere to that. Anne Helsen. Anna Grossback. Hi. Good morning. My name is Anna Grossback. I live in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. I am, reading this on behalf of my mom, Irene Grossbach, and aunt Janet Grossbach. My mom owns and rents her land and a farmhouse, which is in close proximity to the proposed development. My aunt owns and lives on the property next to the proposed development.
My mom grew up on the Grosbach farm. I grew up frequently visiting this farm as a child and have been part of this community all of my life. We ask that you do not move forward with this development. We want to convey our strong opposition to this development for multiple reasons. This high density development in the area totally changes the physical landscape, results in a major increase in traffic and excess noise. The development raises serious concerns for safety, privacy, and quality of life. The projected increase in population and vehicle traffic would drastically change the nature in this rural area,
and it brings the likelihood of, one, significantly more traffic on both public and private roads increased risk of speeding and unsafe driving behaviors, especially if roads are not adjusted and enforced to these residential safety standards higher noise and traffic levels from parties, gatherings, or multiple people occupying these single residences disruption to local farming operations and danger to travels unaccustomed to navigating mixed use rural roads the farmers who farm this land are at peril on the roads as they presently exist and this would make it worse
disrespect to private property, farming crops and livestock, negative impacts to well waters that each dwelling on our properties are entirely reliant upon, and the potential ruin of a nearby natural water spring. Specifically, my mother is very concerned for the safety and well-being of the farmhouse and land renters, relatives, neighbors, and friends living nearby as multiple new owners, renters, and their friends may not be caring, respectful of neighboring private properties, and may also create unsafe situations. Specifically, the woods and trails on her land could easily become targets for unauthorized use by
residents and guests unfamiliar with or indifferent to the boundaries of private land. Unauthorized use undermines her rights as a tax paying land owner who has invested her time and money to keep up her land, but it could also compromise the safety and well-being of the people living and working in that area. She rents farmland and is concerned about people who are indifferent to farming considerations, example, corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and would damage crops and or harass innocent and valuable livestock, animals, and people. Overall, we believe it's important to preserve and protect the existing country landscape
multi generational farms and long standing property owners. The density and scale is completely out of step with the surrounding land. The area should remain open space. This is not the right location for high density development and to improve it would be to ignore and disrespect the deeply rooted history, families, and future of this land. This message and others like it were presented at last Monday's Wabasha County Zoning Committee meeting and were met with a disrespectful and frightening lack of care, transparency, and accountability. Before any building project is approved, there need to go through,
due diligence. There's a basic duty of officials to uphold the standard. Ordinances need to be adhered to, due diligences need to be done, and laws and rights like the right to farm and riparian water rights need to be honored. The voice of the community must also be sought, considered, and collaborated with for any sort of building activity. Therefore, thank you for your attention to this matter. We respectfully and firmly ask that you do not move forward with Cornerstone Ridge. Thank you. Thank you. Scott Nelson. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Can I just I'm gonna
talk about those a little bit? You can maybe pass them around. Good morning. My name's Scott Nelson. 57734400 And Sixth Avenue, Mazeppa. I, I've lived across from the proposed development for thirty five years. I enjoy the area, the uniqueness of it. There are a number of houses in the area, most of them situated in close proximity to the river, and they've been there for a long time. I'm lucky to have the natural resources of a pond and, the Zumbro River in the back of my property.
I'm also very lucky to have woods, wildlife, natural vegetation, and farmland right across the road. I grew up on a farm and enjoy watching the whole farming process. The woods, wildlife, natural vegetation, and farmland are in danger of disappearing if this development is passed. Another big concern is water runoff and drainage. All the water that comes off the hill of this potential development eventually comes and runs into my pond. All of it. A development like this requires a lot of disruption to land and potential erosion proper,
and who knows what's gonna end up in the in my pond. As much as I enjoy the water, there have been times in our neighborhood when we've had, too much. And we've experienced numerous flooding, including the flood of two thousand ten, which I'm sure all of you are know about. The water that comes off that hill right now is is considerable. With a development like this, with the hard surfaces, the roads, driveways, any cement slabs, tar, and then the culverts that are gonna direct the water and send it
send it down the hill, all coming through the Ryan's into my pond. Something like that, the the additional, water runoff in a time when it's when it's flooding, which is, you know, the river floods or where sure. That's the probably the main source, but something like this would add to, would add to the flooding problem immensely in a hard rain. Being flooded is is a nightmare, and and and I I I hope I never have to go through it again.
But I feel very strongly that a development like this, I'm not gonna say it's gonna be the main source of the problem, but it certainly is gonna make it worse. These, this is this is the road going down into Max there. And and you can see off to the side, that's the water coming off off that hill across the field. And that's what it looks like. Thank you for your time this morning. Thank you. You bet. Joe Rodriguez. Excuse me.
I have a copy of my handout for you. Cherish each and every word. Thank you. Thank you. My name is Joe Rodriguez. My address is 57950 County Road 21. We have lived in this house since I think about 2011. Nope, it's going to be 02/2009. We experienced that flight in 2010, it was right afterwards. Trying to get there just to check out my place was hard. So let's go to these remarks. I've got questions about a lot of things.
Number one, acres and deed restriction. We pointed out at the meeting for planning and zoning that this was shy of required acreage. And I'll tell you according to Mr. Kaltenbach's calculations, we have 109 acres total in this development. But if you're taking out the eleven point one two and twenty three point three seven acres that are associated with two lots, that leaves us a remainder acreage of 36.72 lots for eight lots,
but those have to have 10 acres each associated with them. And my math here says there's 109 acres and you're taking away 34.49 acres between lots one and five, that gives us 74.51 acres. That's not enough, we need 80, we're shy, that's one. This does not include the acreage that are required for the length of each road and the width and right of way, which is requiring 66 feet. And I've cited the article where I found this information as required.
Now according to Cornerstone's first division preliminary plat, these lots right here are considered well, take for instance, Lot three has 6.61 acres, but it's noted on the plat, it states that there is 1.24 acres that are developable, okay, that's great. Now on Chapter six, you have a definition of what buildable is, on the plan it says developable. I'm confused and I think many of us are.
You can see right there in the Wabasha County Planning subdivision rules Article II, Section II, Subdivision III and it states when a buildable lot area is required. I'm interested. So according to Minnesota, statutes and these are condensed from two sections. Buildable acreage is defined is a municipal term defined municipal defined term. Developable acreage is defined as areas unsuitable for development due to topography or environmental reasons. Now, according to the Wabasha subdivision regulations,
we're asking buildable acreage, what is buildable. So I went back to the video and I listened to the question posed to the Board. And what response was the ordinance does not define dry, but can be interpreted as a flood plain and I believe Mr. Kahlenberg you stated that. Buildable is not defined by ordinance, okay. But then Mr. Kahlenberg said at twenty six point one zero of that video, I don't know what is meant by buildable. So then what is the definition of this ordinance?
That's a big question here. Secondly, water runoff, where is this addressed? Water runoff is there's not a plan for culvert, drainage or ponds. As Mr. Nelson stated, that generally ends up in his pond. In fact, many of us get our water from that same aquifer that feeds that pond. There's been a wetlands reported down there or I'm sorry, a spring. All right. So right here, Wabasha Subdivision Regulation Section two states that no plat shall be approved that does not contain adequate provision for stormwater runoff.
If required, no plat should be approved without stormwater management plan reviewed and approved by the Wabasha County Soil and Water Conservation District. I haven't seen this, okay? So then what effect are we going to have for this on our well water? We don't know. But I will say that according to ordinance that we are to be assured that effective protection is given to the natural resources of the community, especially groundwater and surface waters. So grades of road have not been addressed,
radius of the road has not been addressed in these preliminary plots nor has the horizontal grade of road been addressed. So in summary, we're missing a few things here. The total acreage and deed restricted land issues are not resolved. We have a definition of what, buildable acres or developable acres, what is it, Okay. Do we have water runoff planning? I haven't seen it. Grade, radius, right of way road construction not included. So in conclusion, the Mazeppa County Township Board I'm sorry,
the Mazeppa Township Board has relinquished permitting, planning and zoning to your boards. They just said, I give up. This is your decision. The proposed development though is the first that I'm aware of, of what I am certain to be many developments in the coming years. Destination Medical has taken over our part of the world. As commissioners, I believe it is paramount for you to enforce proper oversight and administer all of the published applicable ordinances
for each proposed development. Concrete sequential planning with a vision for future development in the westernmost part of this county is critical to maintain a balance of growth and the retention of natural habitat that county residents value. I'm urging you to reject this plan. And thank you very much for your time. Thank you. Joel Larson. Sarah Erickson. Same. Tracy? Here. Hello. How are you doing? I don't like to talk out loud in front of people,
but could you just state your name, please? Tracy Mulholland. Four one seven six six County Road eighty five Mazeppa. Okay. Everyone said it's the piece is so nice and elegantly. Okay. I'm not elegant. So I have a lot of problems with this, which Don knows. I've emailed all of you, I think. And a lot of it is ground pollution. A lot of it is like they're septic tanks. Come on. Two septic tanks for for my 10 homes.
And it's the runoff. It's the neighbors. Okay. I'm just gonna say it. Someone was bought off. That's my only thought. And I'm not saying you guys. It started with it's our township, which I'm going to deal with soon. But I just no normal person with an average thought pattern would think that this is a good idea. Because if you go down, there, it floods all the time and it's run up.
And I'm kind of a thing about ground water, you know, I like to keep it clean. But anyways, it floods and it's just disgusting and then if you put these homes and these septic tanks again, the raw sewage is gonna come up, it does. And I just think this whole planning thing was, like, whacked down and not really thinking it through. And you have to think about the people that live there, the people that serve there, the people that have been there for generations.
Someday, my boy is going to get the farm because that's important to me, but if we have these these little houses just popping up and and it's not feasible, and as everyone said, you know, it's not feasible. It's not workable. It's it's you that you just can't do it. We have to save the farmers. We need to save is our families. Joe's, everyone's families around there, Scott's, because we're neighbors and we're a family,
and to have some person come there thinking this is a good idea and the road, you know, it's just it's it's not feasible. I think you need to go there and look at this and look where it's at and go through their plot, you know, and you're gonna see. It's the people around there are gonna get hurt. Scott's land is going to keep flooding, which but, you know, and then Ryans are gonna have these roads right against, their, it's all of their,
house, and then there's a septic's right back there. You know, why should they get burdened with all this stuff? Because they're just hard working class people and someone decides, oh, piece of land. No. You have to save it. Just go there and look. Just physically go there and look and you will see everyone's problems with this. It's just common sense, but I'm sorry that it was nicer prepared. But anyways, that's how I feel, and I'm not trying to abuse anyone here or say anything wrong,
but there's a love of the land and the farmers, the generations are right here, and they're and they're hurting and they're sad, and they can't sleep at night because they're worried about their futures, the futures of their family. Because these people have been out here for generations. Now I live. Me? I'm a new one, so I don't really count, but it's my boy is the second, and then it's my I hate to say this. Grandkid will be the third.
You know? I wanna have that. I wanna preserve the hardworking farmers. Thank you. Thank you. Jane Rodriguez. Morning. My name is Jane, maiden name Schneering from Wabasha, Rodriguez, Joe's wife. We've owned the land for sixteen years. I've spoken at three meetings now. The Mazeppa Township, the board, and now this one, which tells you, and and many of us have spoken, which tells you the intensity of feeling we have about this proposal. It's not only a technical, issue, many technical issues,
but an emotional issue as you heard Stacy state. Judging by the attendance at these meetings, you can you can understand how heartfelt our, thoughts and feelings are about this proposed development. And, you know, there's great opposition. A few points, because I spoke at a board meeting, more than a year ago, and those are all recorded as well. But to reiterate a couple things, just because something is buildable or developable or whatever semantics you use, it doesn't make it right. You can build in a lot of places,
on a wetland. It's not right. So I'd like to separate those two ideas. Possible doesn't make it right. Not only in our area, but many areas, pristine land is disappearing. And short term, that might not mean anything, but as Stacy said, for generations to come, it means something, and it's irreversible. If this if this development goes through, it's not as if, okay. Now we're gonna take the development down and go back to farmland. That that won't happen. It's irreversible and the impact on the environment. I know that everyone has to make a living, but I see that this is a profit driven,
plan and a short term plan with people who are not vested in the betterment of the community. They're not gonna be around once the the lots are sold and the houses are are built. So I'd like to have it stay in the community. The impact on nature, we've all talked about, the woods, the trails, the wildlife. Another thing, once you chase the animals out of there, they're not going to come back. I support all of the comments of those who spoke previously today, and I urge you to please reject this proposal.
Thank you. Thank you. Richard Ryan. Hello. I'm Richard Ryan, County Road. 2157796. And here to say, yes, this affects me very much and my wife and all neighbors that are concerned about it. And, you know, like everybody has said, it's I didn't expect this when I moved down there twelve years ago, but my only thing is, I guess, is maybe I'll just sell one with you. Thank you. And we have Denise.
I'm Denise. Five six four four eight County Road twenty one, Mazeppa. And I look at these plans that are created by mister developer, and I see one major direction that he's taking, and that's to drive the Ryans out of their home and to decrease the value of their home and property. You know, they bought this space not long ago for a plea for peace and tranquility. And they've just got a small 10 acre land lot that's very narrow.
And it sits right in the middle of this hundred nine acres that surrounds their this developing land. And so mister developers decided that he with this hundred nine acres, he has to make two roads to access his properties. These 10 houses he wants to build, both of these roads are directly on the borderline of the Rhine's 10 acres, one on each side. And to me,
that's just trying to push out that one property that's in his way. So these two roads, out of a hundred nine acres, why is that the only place he can find for it? One of those roads is going to it looks like we'll have, we'll have runoff prop problems, which will erode down into the Ryan's property. The other road is probably forty, fifty feet from their kitchen window.
And for the next five years, it's just gonna be construction right along their kitchen window. And neither of these roads is going to help with that peace and tranquility that they bought this property for. And why why would anyone just make these roads right down next to their somebody else's land unless it's to try and drive them out? And I know that, you know, empathy is supposedly bad for your
back pocketbook, But all the neighbors have a lot of empathy for the way this is progressing. And I don't think Waukesha County should should be part of pushing people out of their home. Thank you. Is that it? That's it. Okay. That's all we have for public comment. I got a question. Can I interject maybe the developer wants to speak first? Could both of us get a chance to speak? Sure. Good morning, commissioners. Kyle Skove. I'm an engineer with WHKS from Rochester.
We're working with the developer Brent who is also here. I would like to address some of the points about the roadway and the stormwater if I may. Sure. And kind of give an overall, the intent with the development is to comply with the A3 zoning which allows one residence per 10 acres. So, yes, some of the lots are smaller than 10 acres, some are larger, but as a whole the, 100 and it's the exact number is about 108 acres on
the development would allow for 10 single family homes. So there would be a large area, 30 some acres, I don't have the exact number, that would be deed restricted so it would not be allowed to be built on in the future. So we believe we're meeting the, not in the intent, we are meeting the A3 zoning. This is the type of development that that area is zoned for. Regarding the roadway when we initially met with Mazeppa Township They preferred a private roadway, so we designed it as such.
And we understand that Wabasha County, requires those to be dedicated to the public. So they would be built to county standards 30 feet wide 10% grade or less, 300 foot or less radius. The intersections on the two roadways were spaced to allow for intersection site intersection stopping distance. I worked with the county engineer on determining that proper distance. So that's the reason why they're located where they are.
So public right of way is 66 feet. The cul de sac size requirements will be met. Engineered roadway in the Bluff Setback area. We spoke with, planning about this prior to submitting the preliminary plat and our understanding is that, while discouraged if that roadway is engineered and properly designed, it can cut that short area of bluff setback. All of the homes would be staying outside of the setbacks. There'd be a 30 foot setback from the roadway on the front of the lots
and 15 feet on the back or on the sides, excuse me, and then 30 feet from the bluff. Regarding the stormwater plan, when we submit the preliminary plan we submit all the required documentation. We have prepared stormwater calculations for the site. There's an outlot b and an outlot C that are going to be owned by the Association for Stormwater Management. In total there will be slightly less runoff after the development than there is today. So the stormwater management in those two out lots and then also a spot on
the northwest corner to the where the road curves, from County Road 21 as it comes south into the property there's a spot between the property line and the roadway that will allow for some stormwater treatment and, management as well. So in total for the site the runoff will be less, not significantly but we do not intend to adversely affect any of the adjoining property owners by what's being proposed. Regarding the septic systems, septic systems,
per the preliminary plat requirements show two locations, a primary and a replacement area that would work for those septic systems. We don't know exactly how the homes will lay out, but we know that we can accommodate septic systems on each of these lots. And they're I'm sure Wabasha County has rules regarding septic systems and I know that the state has Minnesota state rules that these would all comply with that are intended to protect public health. Regarding some of the comments,
I addressed Stormwater Bluffland, Romy. There is we we wanna work with, both Mazepa Township and, Wabashaug County rules. There is a little bit of, we're we're kinda caught in a little bit of an in between. Mazepa Township does not wanna take over as they've stated in their comments after we met with them on February 3 that they don't want to take over these roads. County ordinance says they need to be dedicated to the public. We're willing to do which you know if there's needs to be an association to privately maintain those roads that's acceptable to the developer.
So we're just caught in a little bit of a if you tell us that the roadways need to be public, we'll make them public. So I guess if we can, like I say, we have we have two different, desires from two different governing agencies here. So, we'd like to work with whatever you decide. Just reviewing my notes. High density development, it again is it's, yes, it is development, but it is in accordance with the A3 zoning requirement, runoff. The developable acres was explained to us by Zoning Administrator Clotenbach.
So that's how we proceeded that we have more than two acres outside of a, you know, the dry buildable acres is outside of a flood zone. There's not a flood zone. So I know that, mister Beck has some, comments he'd like to make also. So I'm available for any of the technical questions. You guys have any questions for him before I continue? Or okay. The microphone closer to Brad. Yep. There you go. It moves. The microphone moves. Gotcha. So Kyle is here for the technical stuff. I'd like to go over some of the other things that were concerns from the
neighbors. This project has been going on for well over a year. It just did not pop up. Wabasha County has, certain steps that need to be taken in order to get this to the point where we're at. To address some of the questions that were brought up today, why there are two roads? There are two roads. Originally, one of the first meetings we had, the neighbors were concerned with where the, houses were gonna be. We tried tucking them up in the far west side. That road, it would be too long for a dead end road for the county of Wabasha.
So we ended up moving a second road in down on the bottom. There'll be five lots on the bottom, five lots on the top, two shared wells, one on the top, one on the bottom with individual septics like like Kyle had said. Regarding the Ryans, I have had conversations with them about putting a buffer zone in, something to, keep them them from, you know, the road. As of right now, where the lots are placed, those lots will be won't be any closer than than the houses across the street or the houses down the road, from from their house.
Regarding the farmland, this is not good farmland. It's it's got very low ratings. I've had a renter on there for the last two years. I lost that renter this year. He will not farm it again. And with that being said, as far as watershed, by putting houses in there, you'll end up with less watershed. If you're gonna till a field once a year, that's where your watershed comes from. That's why this field is is is poor. It's it's sand. A field that's tilled once a year versus someone's two acre lot that they have grass on three sixty five days a year,
that grass is going to lose way less soil than what a tilled field is going to. Kyle address a preliminary plot. We do realize there's a couple of tweaks. It's a preliminary plot. On the finalized plot, everything will be addressed on that. This is how we are told to proceed. And last but but not least, this is a three land. There is r one land right next door. You can go all the way from County Road Number 7 past the Pondy, and that's that's high density. This is one house per 10 acres considered low density for the county of Wabasha.
We're following all the zoning and and all zoning regulations for A3 property also as well as the Wabasha County land use plan. That's all I have. Question I got, and I keep getting questions and concerns from the neighbors about the acreage not working out for the 10 lots. So are the buildable lots, lots one through 10? And then the outlots are the deed restricted? That is correct. Okay. And then is all the development on the because there's two parcels there,
right? Correct. And so is all the development on the well, the western The west parcel. The other one is not touched? Correct. That will be the deed restricted? Yes. I think, where some of that confusion is coming is they're not taking into consideration the road. The road is going to be owned by the association, which is part of the deed restricted area, which is the only way I can come up with the math not working out. So So I got a question. I understand the deed restricted area. So if one of the lots, Lot 3,
for example, is 6.61 acres, if you deed restrict, ultimately, whose land is that then? That will remain mine. Okay. So, you could farm it yet or you could do whatever you wanted with it? Correct. Except for develop it. Correct. Got that. And then my other question was, I understand the wells one on top and one down below. Same for the septic, one on top, one down below? Or Individual septics. Oh, individual because that comment got brought up. It's just a clarification. Yes. That's all I got. I know this project has been ongoing for a number of years.
I think longer than a year, but whatever. I think we've got some issues here yet that need to be addressed. I was looking for emails, correspondence from our county engineer, and his suggestion was one access. Dietrich has approved both accesses. Oh, he has? Yes. Okay. And we have an email stating that. Okay. I must not have seen the current one. Regardless, there probably needs to be some changes made that vary quite a bit from what the final plot will look like. I guess, I have the inkling of
maybe tabling it and get a little more design work done a little closer to the final plot. How are we going to do with the curvature of the road? Right. I believe? Yep. So I'm there too. I think it probably I'm thinking it probably needs to be corrected before we would make a decision. And when you said that, Dietrich approved, did he approve the access to the to County 21, or was it for the road the two roads into it? Or you know what I'm asking? The two roads.
So that he approved the design or the No. Not sure what your address spacing of the entrances. On the County 21. Correct. Okay. Same distance. Yes, yes, yes. So as far as table in it, I guess it's my understanding that we've submitted the preliminary plot and then before is there contingencies that can be put on that before the final plot is done? Yeah. That's what I was going to mention is that that, that's kind of the processes that I this is preliminary. We believe we can meet the roadway grades,
the horizontal and the, vertical curvature of the road and keep that 10%. You know, again, we had met with Mazeppa Township and showed this as, 66 foot of easement, that can be easily changed to, dedicated to the public, for the final plat. So prior, you know, we can have the stormwater report to you. We can have the roadway plans to you and, get those approved before the final plat is approved. I think what the commissioners are looking for is just to extend the decision
until for up to sixty days. And anytime up to those sixty days, if you could get us the additional information on your plats so we can see all those inconsistencies shored up. Okay. So you'd like to see? I will, say that there are three options just to make it clear to everyone who's paying attention. It doesn't necessarily what's going on right here. The Board could, as you're suggesting, approve, this preliminary plat, with conditions that you amend the curvatures of the road, and the ultimate lot sizes and anything that they're also seeking to amend before a
final plat is submitted, they could reject this, for basically those same reasons. Or the third option, which it sounds like they're kind of leaning toward, there's the ability to extend for sixty days, the decision making. We would have to, within that sixty day extension, make approval or rejection, but it can be extended once for up to sixty days, and allow you the time to put onto the map, I think is the real thing so it can be evaluated based on what I'm hearing here that where the road will actually be before the preliminary plat approves. I think what I'm hearing is that to approve the preliminary plat,
you'd like to be able to kind of see it on the map, not just have the assurances that'll be done before the preliminary plat applies. So it would kinda depend on how long it takes to get the map amended and those things done, and that will all be done in writing. By statute, we must do in writing for this extension. So that would be a writing from Joe, that you'd receive probably shortly after this meeting. I'd probably ask to have Joe make sure that you can get it by email as well as the mail, as the mail we were discussing a little bit sometimes takes a few weeks just so you get all the right things bullet pointed.
But we do have the the board does have the ability to extend for sixty days, in writing, a decision to approve or reject this. And if you'd like to see the things that you'd like remedied reflected in in the mapping, I think that's probably the best so you wouldn't have to go through a full reapplication, and reapply before you get to that point, as that goes. So the physical maps are deficient in roads a and b. Mhmm. We'd like to see that on the plat, and then, have that, plan for the stormwater and drainage on the map.
K. Just those two things? And and those those may be so, for example, I I have a roadway plan. Mhmm. That won't actually be on the preliminary plat document. It'll be a supplement to that. It would be a separate set of a separate roadway plan. The stormwater plan, the same thing. That'll be a written document, supporting what I'm saying. Okay. Joe, is there anything else that needed to be added? To be addressed. Okay. Would the, roadway plan be then reviewed by Dietrich? Of course. Yes. That's And who would review the stormwater plan?
Myself and Dietrich. I would have it more than that also. Also. So the road plan review would possibly could change the size of someone's lots too? It could. It just depends how That's where all the curve is. I mean, we So the the roads are actually part of the lot. So it the lot size will stay the same. It just might change the curvature. Yeah. They wanted dedicated those, so it's gonna change the acreage on the loans. Oh, okay. I guess where this is going, I'd like to see the preliminary plat as close to the final plat as possible. And just so I understand the process,
so we will get that to Joel and Dietrich and then that comes to another meeting after that? And what is the deadline for each meeting? We would be able to get that on the April 21 meeting, if you're able to get that information to us. By I think that may how far before the meeting must you have the documents before so it can get on to that meeting Mhmm. Because that does become important. I would just say that the requirements for doing that for a client commission meeting are different than that for the crew. It would just be at the Is it the Thursday prior to the meeting that
the agenda comes out? Yes. The prior week to the meeting. Yeah. And I would also say that I said sixty day extension. To clarify, that's not from today's date. That is from the prior sixty day rule timeline, which I think my math before we get here gets us to about June 20, for the ultimate end date for this extension. That sixty day extension is an addition to the original sixty days we had to decide on this, not from today's date. Just so that's clear as well. It's from what June 20 would be the deadline then? I believe it is. It's one hundred and twenty days from the day you turned in the initial plat
preliminary plat application. Okay. But from my understanding, you can submit it anytime before that. Right. That would just be the deadline that the board has to act. The public forum's closed. The public forum's closed, ma'am. April 21 maybe a little bit soon, but it, For you need for time is fine. Just Our meetings are the first and third Tuesday of every month. You didn't have a vote to deny. We have not made a motion yet. Any other questions or comments from the board? Joe, you have anything to add? I would say typically things that are submitted to planning and going need to be
I I submit. So we we have our Tuesday meetings, Tuesday mornings. The Tuesday Tuesday of the prior week is when I have to have those things submitted to get on the agenda for the so it would be a week ahead. And this comes back to this board? It would come back to this Not the planning commission. It comes back to this board. If there's no other discussion or comments, I would move to table this manner for up to sixty days. I'll second it. We have a motion and a second to table, this manner for up to sixty days. Is there any further discussion? Our next item is consideration of Rothering CUP request.
On 02/20/2025, a complete application was submitted by Thomas Rothering for an amendment to a conditional use permit to operate a lodging establishment within the rural residential R 1 zoning district. Subject properties are Waukesha County parcels R 1300012 Dot 00 and R13.00012.03 and are located in Section 15, Township 111 North, Range 11 West Of Pepin Township at 7980 And 7984 Highway 61 in Lake City.
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on 03/24/2025, to hear testimony related to the request. After considering all the testimony and facts of the matter, the Planning Commission on a vote of five-zero recommends denial of the proposed amendment based on the following: one, the conditional use will be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted or would substantially diminish and impair property values within the immediate vicinity two, the conditional use would impede the normal and orderly development improvement of surrounding vacant property
for uses predominant to the area number three, adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, soil erosion, control measures and other necessary facilities are not being provided Number four, factors bearing on the public health, safety and welfare dictate denial of the conditional use permit amendment. Madam Chair, I'll make a motion to follow the recommendation of the planning commission to deny. I'll second. Motion and a second to follow the Planning Zoning's recommendation to deny the CUP request by Mr. Rothering. Any further discussion?
Hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Our next item is consideration of Schmidt Acres final plat. On 02/20/2025, a final plat application was submitted by Paul Schmidt to plat Schmidt Acres. The subject properties are described as Wabasha County parcels R 13.004730, R 13 Point 0 0 4 5 5 Point 0 0, R 13 0 0 4 5 1 Dot 0 0, R 13 0 0 4 5 2 Dot 0 0,
and R 13 Dot 00453 Dot 00, and are located in Sections 18 And 19, Township 111 North, Range 11 West, Pepin Township on approximately 41.8 acres. Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on 03/24/2025 to hear testimony related to the request. After considering the testimony, the planning commission on a vote of five to zero recommends that the proposed final plat of Schmid Acres be approved. Any questions for Joe? Hearing none, is there a motion? I'll make a motion that we approve it.
Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Powers, second by Commissioner Wakas to approve the final, plat for Schmidt Acres. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, Joe. Thank you. Our next item is commissioner reports. Let's start, mister Springer. Sure. On last I got the right month here. On the twenty fifth, I from the last meeting, I had a Selco library board meeting. Again, since it's early in the year, we're still working on the duties of all the committees that the library board has.
Also looking at potential changes in funding with recent state and federal mandates. And so there's just a lot of uncertainty there. But otherwise, it was kind of a standard meeting, nothing important to bring to you, I guess. That's all I got. Oh, and then I was at the we had commissioner Wabi and I had an extension meeting last night. Carissa reviewed the what was going on at four h. Lisa Dirks, she, presented a regional update. We talked about some forestry project,
and the Asian beetle. There's some special fly that's out there that can disrupt the emergence of further Asian beetles, but nobody quite understands why yet or how. So we're waiting anxiously to hear that. And, Frank will be is the vice chair for this year, and Anne Marie Dose is the chairman chairwoman. Two other meetings I'll help Commissioner Springer out with I do. That he one, he was in person, and the other one,
he was on Teams, and that was South Country Health Alliance I was on that one as well, guys. Where we went through the annual compliance training. The primary and and secondary members gotta go through that on an annual basis. I was in person, and we went on and talked about the independent auditors report. It was, it was a long meeting. And then we, we heard from, is it certain, Donnie? Yes. And they did the actual hourly reports. And that between the two of them, that was a good three hours.
So, anyways, good first time in about a year I've been there. So, No decision on the Supreme Court ruling? No. No. We're not holding our breath Yeah. Unfortunately. I mean, they can take as much time as they want, and they certainly are. And then the other one was, we're invited. South Country presented a check of 76,000. To the Wabasha food shelf for the walk in cooler and, Freezer. Walk in freezer. So they can continue to have fresh products and,
you know, when they get especially in the summer months and the winter months, I guess, when they get vegetables and stuff in so they can put it in the cooler and keep it fresher. They have been working off these small little refrigerators and things. And so when the federal government offers free food like eggs or whatever, they only have so much space so they can only order so much. And now with these two big walk in coolers and freezers, they're able to order 50 dozen eggs instead of 10 or whatever. And so they can just store things much longer. They can rotate things out better,
and it just provides more to the community. I wasn't I was pleasantly surprised at home. This isn't just the Wabasha area food shelf. In order to accept food like that, they have to take anybody who shows up. And so they've got this whole system where they have these carts and people shop and then they wheel it up and it's weighed. And then the door they go, they load their car and they bring the cart back and and they've got a lot more space. The only other thing they're dealing with now is they mentioned to us and we're gonna probably get a request for community,
Appropriations. Appropriation is that where they were before was a free space for them. Now with moving over where the DAC was or that area in the back there, they've got a rent now. So they're now they have to try to fundraise for their monthly rent, which is 1,800 a month. And but gives more more space. They can hold more product, and stuff like that. So just so the board's aware, they'll likely be here to ask same as tourism asks and all the other groups
that historicals have. Yeah. I was told that they had, in their previous location, they could only fit between three and four people in there at a time. And now they can fit up to 10 Yep. In there in there at a time. Yeah. Yeah. There was people actually sitting out in their cars waiting for their allotted time to go in, which you know? But the bigger space, like you said, comes with an added cost. Yep. Had to come up with that somehow. So sorry to interrupt. Yep. No. No. They but they were very thankful. They've just really opened up their abilities there.
When they we had quite a few of their volunteers there to help thank us. We got pictures with them, and, this was one of the community grants that South Country Health offered along with the county grants. So they were the they were Wabasha's bigger recipient at that. And then, and then, of course, we as part of that is the combination care clinic that's coming with the mobile with the shared between Wabasha and Goodyear County. So Nice.
Yeah. It was a nice presentation. Do you have anything else, Mike? Yeah. Monday, the twenty fourth, I had a DAC meeting. Continue to deal with, you know, staff transitioning to other areas, promotions. Some staff had left. They talked about their day at the capitol, possible funding cuts, as we all know. Everybody I mean, legislature, senators changing it, whether it's state or or federal. The other thing I had was due to the weather, I couldn't make it in person, but then they sent me a Teams invite, for the, solid waste. Not a whole lot new there. We have a planning meeting coming up,
for the future coming up the April. Otherwise, it's pretty much conference reports and just some of the local updates. And then we, our administrator Plont and I sat in with the city, and we had a common board meeting. Nobody from the school showed up. It's just interesting some of the things that are coming coming down with the city, with a possibly new road or the bridge access and all that stuff. Just a few things we talked about there, and hopefully, the next time we meet, we're gonna try to meet quarterly.
Hopefully, next time, we'll get some more activity from the school. But, we're waiting for Charlene, but she didn't show. If I'm on that board, than I need to check. Yeah. But anyways, it it's well you know, it's it's very educational if you get a chance to come to that. I'll be getting on there. Yeah. Other than that, I had some issues with, transit, Bob, and I reached out to Jenny. She'll be talking more to you about that. Some of them concerns. I'll just leave that, alone for now. And Are you wondering why you wanna contact that.
So Yeah. So anyways, that's all I got. Commissioner Waukes? The only meeting I had was soil and water last Thursday, I believe. Terry touched on the wage study compensation, assistance from Sean and HR, soil and water staff, and I think a couple supervisors were present at their day on the capital. Sheila Harms was there, presented the twenty twenty four projects for the WinLAC. If anybody wants to see this, we can share it around or probably get more copies. So That's all I had. I think that's the first time you've only had one meeting in two weeks.
I know it. I know it. It's kinda nice just to Mister Powers? Leave you on my phone. I believe after the board meeting, I attended a personnel committee meeting. According to Sean, at that date, we were fully staffed. Still are. Still are. She had some positive feedback about the lifestyle spending account. People must be using it. And, first they were gonna do some kind of a MCIT building inspection. Is that right? Mhmm. Once every five years, and they're gonna do that. On the twenty fourth,
commissioner Wabi and I attended a planning commission meeting, but we kinda discussed that pretty thorough here. So there's really enough to report on that. Did you have zoning this morning? Had a zoning enforcement meeting this morning. Bob was there too, so he did I did well, and I was at the personnel committee as well. I I let a few slides. There are some letters being sent out as far as some zoning enforcement, action that's gonna be taken. One one of the things that we discussed was had to do with the software possibly changing to a different software provider. Bob can maybe help me out with this GIS or what when they're talking about
that software they're gonna look into. We have I saw Right now, we're using I work I work for the queue. The old one was Geo it's actually Geo something and the new one is I work. So I think that had to do with the building inspectors. That's they wanted to have them compatible with their system, the CMS. That's part of it. Yeah. The rest of it, I guess, that's over my head. That's technological. Other than that, I don't have anything else. Else. I attended a treatment court session. We have, one participant who has moved to Wisconsin, just over the river,
but in Wisconsin. So he will transfer his, all his stuff over to Wisconsin. And then we had have drug court over there? Or when you say transfer, just kind of Well, his probation and all that will go over there. I'm assuming I don't know if they have drug courts or not. They do have a treatment court program depending on the county, and eligibility is a little different. But in that specific instance, he wasn't being transferred to another treatment court. Yeah. Just he's Being released to supervision or a probation agreement. Released out of our program. And then we had a participant who,
advanced to phase three. And there's five phases, so I also had a safety committee meeting. We are in the process, the county is, of, reviewing the emergency action plan for Waukesha County employees. The sheriff's department, Kurt Struve, our captain, is, working on planning an active shooter drill. We haven't had I think we figured it's maybe been about five years since we had the last one, three or four for sure. Yeah. So period. Right. That's for you? Yeah. There's never been one at the county board. Well, and they're they're hoping to plan it for the a day that there's a county
board meeting. Could try to do one during the county Right. Right. But there's never been No. No. Yeah. So that will be interesting. First quarter, for injuries and or illnesses, we had three slips and falls. Two of them amounted to nothing. They were just reported, and one did have some medical issues for a bit. And that's all I had. Any, concerns by the commissioners? Yes. I was going to say that with the limited number of meetings Bob had, we should probably reconsider those committees.
Although, thanks to Commissioner Powers, I'll hold that back now since you did have a few more. I have nothing else. Just trying to get rid of the cell phone. Don't tell my secrets. You mean it. I know what you're up to. Anyone else? Any concerns? Okay, hearing none, nothing else to come before the board. Do I have a motion to adjourn? I'll move. Second. To adjourn, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries.