The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a minor subdivision that splits a roughly 40-acre agricultural parcel into two lots and granted a zone change and a variance to accommodate the split.
Interstate Engineering surveyor Ed Rintemaki presented the proposal on behalf of Orville Erickson. The parent parcel in the southwest quarter of Section 20, Township 155 North, Range 101 West would become lots of approximately 20.02 acres and 19.79 acres. The township recommended approval.
Why it matters: county zoning requires a minimum 40-acre parcel to remain in the agricultural zoning district; because the new lots would be smaller than 40 acres, the applicant requested a zone change to rural residential for the 20.02-acre lot and a variance for the 19.79-acre lot to remain agricultural.
Staff and the applicant explained the variance request is based on the smaller lot containing an existing oil-well site and some hay ground; the owner does not intend to place a residence on that lot. The commission approved the subdivision and the requested zoning actions following staff comments.
Commissioner Mark moved to approve, the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. Recordation of the plat will be contingent on approval of both the zone change and the variance; county staff will complete typical plat-recordation checks and any required inspections before final recording.