7 o'clock and I'm going to call the meeting to order and we'll rise to say the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. approval of the agenda or changes to the agenda. Um I guess are we looking to remove the third docket item then?
Yeah. And it's officially known that that's going to withdrawn. Correct. Okay. Yeah. I would move to remove the uh docket number PC09182503. I'll second that. And it's withdrawn. So I I don't know if we even need
We don't need to do that. Okay. Okay. Then I would move to approve the amended agenda and I'll second it. All in favor of approving the amended agenda say I. I. I. Those opposed say nay. Hearing none. All
in favor? Approval of the minutes of August 21st, 2025. I approve the minutes. Is there a second on that? Louis seconds it. All in favor of approving the minutes as written say I.
I. Anybody opposed to that say nay. Hearing none. All in favor to approve the uh minutes of August 21st. Uh updates from the board of adjustments. We had we heard four petitions today. Um
and two of them were denied and two of them were approved. Uh the two that were approved, one was uh Ridgeway School. They were looking um for a variance from the backyard setback
uh for a solar array. And then the second um would be our second petition here tonight and we approved a prime soils variance for that one.
Um the two that we did not approve were uh a parcel split or I guess a couple of parcel splits that would have been um one was essentially for a sale of a property that would have been for
economic gain solely. Um the other was uh prime soils variance as well as a feed lot setback and it was just uh just didn't meet the criteria in multiple ways. It was just too close to
the feed lot and the feed lot owner wasn't on board and um it's not a good good option we thought. Thank you. Uh county board U Marsha can't be here. Josh, I didn't hear from him, but
obviously he's not here. So, we will skip over the county board uh remarks and then uh get a brief update from staff with the comprehensive plan. Um yeah, comprehensive plan. Um we have
um um essentially wrapped up phase one um public engagement um with the um with the plan. Um at public public engagement included two popups, one at um county fair, one at Family Night on the Farm.
Um we had a township workshop with um township officers. Um we had a um public o open house um just last week or the week before last week um
and um in Stockton and then we've had some online engagement um with a survey that's been out for a while. There's also some paper copies that came in um so that was um um kind of out in the community in multiple different ways. We were happy with um uh the amount of
engagement that we've had so far. I think I hope that all of you have at least taken the survey. I think we've seen a couple of you at um at events um and appreciate um any time that you've given to uh give us your feedback on that. Um I guess going forward, we do
have a steering committee meeting in about a couple weeks, just under a couple weeks. Uh we have uh four dates that we threw out there um for um to consider. It's a tough time of year with farmers being in the fields. Um, so we were trying to be sensitive to that and
we gave them a number of different dates to choose from and then we're going to try to play our um play the weather a little bit when we get closer if possible. But um um regardless, we have um people who have um um we have fairly good attendance for um at least three of
the days that uh week um of um suppose it would be September 29th and October 1st and 2nd. Um, and so we're hoping to um lock that in um uh next week. Um I know um um anybody who has questions
about that, you know, let me know. We can talk after the meeting um as well if you if you'd like um for those steering committee members here. Um and so that meeting we're going to be looking at um vision and goals goal setting. We're going to ask the steering committee to
help us um um narrow down the um we're going to summarize the engagement uh comments that we've that we've received and then help them um kind of steer us in the right direction as far as um creating goals and a vision. Um, and then we'll put that uh pull that stuff together. Um, put together a draft of
those goals and vision for um probably we're thinking the township officers to respond to and um and the steering committee. Um and then um we'd be moving into once we can set that um what those goals and um
um and that vision is, we'd be moving into um phase three which is then um getting into the um different uh areas of the plan like transportation, land use, um economic development, etc. So, I think that's the phase phase three where
there's going to be more um maybe more of the meats of the project that maybe more people would are are interested in like what's going to come out of this plan. Um and and phase three is really um where we're going to have uh those conversations. Um that's where we're at um at the
moment. Um any quick questions for me at the moment? Some of you on the steering committee and you know this is everything. feel free to contact me at any point um if you want to discuss um what we're up to. Um I'd also like to mention um although
the survey has closed, so we're not taking any more surveys at this point, we did get over 300 responses, so I was happy with that. Um um and we will have some ongoing engagement um up probably in the next couple weeks or so. um
that'll be up um it'll be an interactive map that'll be on the website and that'll allow you to identify locations uh kind of graphically throughout the county that you're interested in, that you like. um places that you have concerns or that you want to see um
changes in, whether it be part of the road system, uh transportation options or um you know, protection of natural resources or housing, you know, um examples that you want to highlight, just a way for the public to engage um
on an ongoing matter. And then we were thinking that we'd hopefully be able to um have some of the more graphic proposals that come out of the plan to be um um um um put there also um and um allow the public to interact with some
of those proposals whether it be like a future land use map or um uh any other proposals that we can show graphically. Um and so um you keep an eye on that space. Um there is a newsletter um also on the website that you can sign up for
and I think there'll be more updates um going forward um for when things come out we'll be able to let the public know if they're signed up through that newsletter. So um guess that's all that I have for for now. Okay. Thank you Lou. Any any questions
of Lou other than we just want a brief update so I know feel free to catch me after the meeting if you like. Thank you. I'm going to move on to the petitions. The first one on my docket is PC9-18-2501.
This is to consider the petition of Barbara Mitchell who's seeking a conditional/interum use permit regarding the following. to allow an additional home in addition to a primary principal dwelling uh when
established for a family member providing health care. And pursuant to chapter 10.4.6 subchapter 26 of the Winona County zoning ordinance. And I believe Eric's got this one, right? Yep. Good evening, planning
commission. Uh my honor here to give the first presentation here. If you have any questions, let me know here after I'm done. Um, as your chair read the section, this is a interim use
uh permit request to allow a secondary home in addition to the primary dwelling uh from 10.4.6 number 26 of the zoning ordinance, which is a conditional use option.
This is located at 10315 County Road 35 in St. Charles Township. The petitioners currently have roughly a 9.11 acre parcel and with this diagram is roughly
showing where a secondary dwelling would be located. uh the primary farmhouse or dwelling located immediately off of the road right in this area. And then they have multiple
accessory structures. Kind of a pictometry view kind of shows more of the terrain. uh not much as far as tillable ground that's on this sacred, but they do have some agricultural structures and they do have some livestock. Uh you'll see some
pictures there that are up close of the buildings. This is a view coming off of the um driveway um right behind the house looking to the south and the new home would be essentially in that portion of
the yard that is there. This is looking to the west roughly where the the proposed home would be located. They do have a hydrant and a water line. uh they would have to explore uh septic possibilities with the
site fairly level currently lawn. There's a view back looking back to the north. Uh, County Road right on the other side of the house and the existing primary dwelling view little expanded out showing the the
garage and uh again the driveway leading to the county road 35. the view kind of looking to the east of their pasture area and you can see they have some beef cattle that are on the
site. Petitioners did meet with St. Charles Township Board on July 14th and they indicated no comments to the request. We've received no other comments from any of the neighbors or any other
parties at this point in time. And our recommendation was that since it could be identifiable um point in time where would not be occupied as petitioned, it would be an intram use. Of course, the petitioners would have
the option to re-up or reapply should circumstances change and they feel like they may have a occupancy that would fit fit uh this permit as the terms have kind of laid out. our staff report and the findings of fact that was reviewed
by the county attorney's office recommends approval. With that approval, we've uh included five conditions for your consideration on this. And with that, you know, I guess um that section of the ordinance I just wanted
to touch on that 10.4626 is for family members needing or receiving health care and part-time farm help. In this case, it kind of uh is a hybrid of both of those issues. It's our
staff's uh um interaction with the petitioners said that um the situation is such that the current owner, Barbara Mitchell, would like to move into the new secondary dwelling and her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson would
occupy the house. And also by that um because I guess because of some health reasons and because they do the what the daughter-in-law would provide medical assistance to to the mother mother-in-law also with the acreage they
do have some agricultural components that are with this use too. So with that uh any questions for the planning commission? I have a quick question and it I hadn't seen it come up before. No, it's going to be a brand new or built
manufactured home. I hadn't thought of it being constructed out of the state, for example. But on condition three, uh you want uh it to have an electrical inspection. Now, if it was manufactured in Minnesota, I would think it'd be
required to meet all the codes. Correct. Goes without the concern. Yeah. Yeah. In some cases, we've uh entertained alternative living quarters where somebody had an outuilding where they, you know, we get a little bit concerned about the snow roof loads and the fire.
I can appreciate that one, but if this is a bonafide Yeah. manufactured home usually. I just don't want the owners to have any surprises here because if I bought something brand new, I would be very disappointed to have an electrical inspector come in and say, "I don't like
your ground fault, you know, sockets in the bathroom or wherever it is, right?" And that's your concern. Yeah. I mean, this is a standard condition. It's not specific to the situation. Okay. But it's it's carried over. Yeah. From a lot of other intramuses for
secondary dwellings. So if you think it's unappropriate, take it out. You know, that would be buyer be aware. I think I've already warned them on what their salesman's got to prove to them. Thank you. Yep. Any other questions? Okay, I'll
turn it over and you guys conduct the public. Would the petitioners like to come up? Uh Barb, anybody speak about your plans? Just state your name and address and tell us your project. Barbara Mitchell 10315 County Road 35 in
St. Charles. I didn't catch your last. You said three things and I only got the two. Sorry. State your name and just tell us about your project. if you have anything further to contribute beyond what Eric has represented.
Um, well, first off, my husband passed away in October last year, so he so now I got a tickle. So, he's not here to help with the
maintenance and stuff on the farm. So, um, my son's been out there. Steve, we'll get you a glass of water. Okay. My son's been out there quite a bit working on our windbreak. We had a lot of weeds going up into the trees,
killing them. So, there's a lot of maintenance out there to be doing right now. And uh um with his help, I can't do that myself. And I can't afford to just have everybody under the sun come out. Thank you.
Um it gets expensive. So, um, and I have a few medical problems with my knees and my back. So, um, I'd like to put the house out there. It it would be sitting where the barn used to sit, and it's pretty flat right now. I might have to
put a little fill in one area, but um, other than that, um, they would live in the house, my son and Lydia, which is my daughter-in-law over here, and, um, my grandson James. So, uh,
it's pretty much just to keep me going out there. I've been there for 52 years and I don't really care to move. I've never been in town in my life as far as living. I've was born on a on a farm or raised on a farm. Moved a couple different places and it's always been
farm. So, I and I'm close to town so it's easy for me. So, okay. Commissioners, any any questions? I think it's been laid out quite well. But do anybody have any questions of the petitioner? No. Well,
one question though. Um, would it be possible to put a um cement slab underneath the home or is that something I shouldn't be doing? I couldn't answer that for sure. Okay. I I talked to your contractors and stuff
like that on it. We know at home could Yeah. No, he would have no issue on that. I mean, they're solely their choice. Yeah, I thought that. I want to make sure. You know, 30, 40, 50 years down the road, you know, you want to keep that in
mind, you know, that okay, that, you know, concrete is permanent, but, you know, that could always be a bad. So, but we wouldn't have any chips. Sounds good. That's about all I have. All right. Thank you for your input. Okay. Thank you. Motion to open the public meeting.
Do I have a second to open the public meeting? Uh Eugene seconds that all in favor say I. I. I. Oppose. Nay. Hearing none. All in favor? Uh anybody wishing to speak for or against this petition. Please come to the microphone. State your name and your
address and your issue. And no one uh anybody wishing to speak for or against this petition, please come to the microphone, state your name and address and your concerns. Okay. Third time, anybody wishing to speak for or against this petition.
Please come to the microphone and speak. Tell us your name and your address and your concerns. Motion to close. I move. And all right, I'll give the second to Louie. All in favor of closing the public hearing say I.
I. Oppose to closing public hearing say nay. Hearing none. All in favor. Okay. Commissioners, what are your wishes here? Motion to approve the fact. Second. Any other discussion?
Yeah. Um, how long after they no longer legally had the this ability to have this house there. Do they have before it has to be removed or redone?
For well, they two things they could do. They could apply for another conditional use permit. Okay. Or Eric might be able to answer how long they have after they vacate the presences. Um yeah, again, you know, it it probably
would be just a matter of being informed of what the plan is and if there was an issue where extended um time went by where our records were not updated or there was some concerns, we'd have to look into that. Um, but typically we
would work with people if they were, you know, I guess the the original concern with this type of request that goes all the way back um in in the history of the planning circle is that uh people aren't renting out additional units for side income. They they wanted to offer this
provision for legitimate part-time farm help, full-time farm help, and for family members. Um, so it'd have to be outside those realms before we'd even actually get involved with it. So, okay. Any other? Are we ready to vote? All in
favor of uh recommending this uh conditional use permit say I. I. Oppose. Say nay. Hearing none. All in favor. Uh your next hearing will be uh with the county board on Tuesday,
October 14th at 9:00 a.m. Okay. 9:00 am. Yep. I just said it'll typically be on consent. So, a lot of times they might not even have a public hearing, but it'd be a public meeting in front of the county board.
Thank you. Our next petition is docket PC09-18-2502 to consider a petition of Kelly Anderson who is seeking a conditional uh interim use permit regarding the following to allow a new family new single family
dwelling on less than 40 acres a proposed 31 acres split in pursuant of to chapter 10.4.6 six sub chapter 36 of the Winona County zoning ordinance. I think Olivia has got this one.
Good evening. So, some of the project overview like Jordan did mention earlier, they did receive a variance earlier today for prime soils that are on the property. Um, and we'll show that in a little bit, but it's section 33 of St. Charles Township. Um, the parcel as it currently
sits is 71 acres. You can see in the aerial to the right, the proposed split is outlined in red. It's 31 acres. Um, and then there would be a 40 acre section to the south of that, but this petition is on that 31 acres. Um, this is a staff created site plan.
So, the proposed dwelling location is right to the east of the the hump of the field there. Um, it also shows the prime soils, which is again why they needed the variance. But um the 31 acre parcel would be the portion to the north of
that existing parcel. Um petitioner submitted site plan about a 50x40 dwelling site and then the driveway would be utilizing an existing field approach off of Cherokee Road. And you can see in the aerial Cherokee comes down from the from the north and then
dead ends um kind of right where that parcel boundary would be. some of the considerations. Um, because it's an ARC zoning, it does require a conditional use for a new home to be on less than 40 acres. They did get a variance for the prime soils requirements. Um, they're proposing to
maintain that existing crop field or transition it to native grassland. And like I mentioned, Cherokee Road does dead end um close to where their property is and it is a pending sale of that 40 acre parcel from the split. So, some site photos. This is looking at
the um existing field access off of Cherokee Road. You can see there's an existing shed on the property and that's down in the background um down slope. This is looking north up Cherokee Road towards Highway 14. Um, and then looking
south towards that dead end, the building site is currently wooded. Um, it's right on the edge of that field, so you can't really distinguish too much where um that footprint is going to go, but it'll be in this area um right off the field there to the east.
And then this is looking west um back up through the field towards Cherokee Road. The driveway would be a straight shot from Cherokee Road through that field entrance. um to the house. They did attend the St. Charles Township meeting. Um they met on July 19th to
consider it and had no comments regarding the request. We also have not received any neighbor comments. So our recommendation would be that you consider all materials and testimony before making findings that support your decision. Our analysis and draft findings do support granting it as a
conditional use permit and there are four conditions drafted for your consideration. Any questions for what's that field currently? Is it just a grass field? Alalfpha, correct? Thank you.
and anyone from the petitioner uh wishing to come up and tell us about your project and good evening information. Tell us your name and address. I'm Kelly Anderson. I'm 2111 Telmark Lane Northwest in Rochester. And um I
thank you for your time tonight. I think Olivia did a really good job of explaining the project. I don't have much more to add, but I'm available for questions. Any questions, commissioners? Okay. Thank you.
Thank you. Motion to open the public meeting. Do I have a second to open after Louis motion? Second from Jordan. All in favor say I to open public hearing. I say nay. If if you're opposed to the public hearing, hearing none. All in
favor. Our public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak for or against this petition, please come to the microphone, state your name and your address and your concerns. Anybody wishing to speak for or against this petition, please come to the microphone, state your name and address
and your concerns. Okay, seeing none, anybody wishing to speak for or against this petition, please come to microphone, state your name and address. Seeing none, do I have a motion to close the public hearing? Move. I'll second. All right. All in favor say I.
I. I. Opposed. Nay. Hearing none. All in favor. And what's your wishes here? Commissioners to approve of the fact. Do I have a second? I'll second it. Okay. Jean is that any
discussion? We'll move on a vote to uh recommend this petition. All those in favor say I. I. I. All those opposed say nay. Hearing none. All in favor.
Now your next hearing uh October 14th 9:00 a.m. Okay. Any uh thing before we adjourn? Well, should I bring up our little project in the greater town of Fremont? No, I'm want that to work through the township.
Okay. Yep. So, seeing none, I have a motion to adjurnn. And is there a second? Second. Mike got the second this time. See, Gina is quick and dry. All in favor, all those in favor of adjourning say I.
I. Those opposed say nay. We're all in favor of adjourning. And thank you, commissioners. This was a quick