Planning staff informed the commission Oct. 2 that a landowner intends to vacate large portions of the Norwegian Creek industrial subdivision (created in 2012) so the owner can combine lots and seek agricultural rezoning. Staff said the owner purchased most of the vacant lots, that vacating the subdivision would be required because agricultural zoning requires 40-acre minimums, and that the process could materially change the character of the subdivision.

Steve Josephson said Norwegian Creek was platted as an industrial subdivision in 2012 and many lots remain vacant; a local farmer purchased many of those lots and now seeks to vacate them before applying to rezone to agriculture. "If you're not familiar with Norwegian Creek, it was an industrial subdivision that was created back in 2012," Josephson said. "Many of the lots have stayed vacant. There is a farmer in the area who purchased up most of the lots."

Josephson said the roads shown on the plat are recorded as easements rather than dedicated subdivision roads, and that some lots remain owned by others and must retain access. Commissioners asked for maps showing the current zoning and an overlay showing the proposed vacation and its effect; commissioners also asked that affected nearby landowners receive notice. The commission reached consensus to place the item on a future agenda as a public hearing so interested landowners can comment; staff said a public-hearing date would coincide with proposed rezoning applications and that a likely meeting date being discussed is Oct. 31 or, alternatively, Dec. 18, with staff indicating Dec. 18 would be the working date if needed to ensure county-commission consideration before year-end.

No formal vacation application had been filed by the close of the meeting and the planning commission did not take a final vote; staff offered to show commissioners the applicant’s survey materials after the meeting and to send courtesy letters to nearby owners if the commission places the item on a public-hearing agenda.