County approves Wojciech Farm addition preliminary and final plat; dedicates road right-of-way

Goodhue County commissioners on May 6 approved a preliminary and final plat titled the Wojciech Farm Addition, a subdivision of roughly 235 acres in Hay Creek Township that will create four lots plus an outlot and dedicate right-of-way along Valley View Road, Prairie Rose Lane and County 2.

The county planner presenting the item said the plat was prepared by Wrap Land Surveying and submitted by Landpros on behalf of property owner Dwayne Wojcick of 34399 County 2 Boulevard, Red Wing. The plat separates wooded and tillable areas and creates a new 4-acre lot for an existing residence with frontage on Prairie Rose Lane.

Why it matters: Under county subdivision rules, any subdivision creating three or more lots requires review. The site sits in an A-2 agricultural district in Section 26; county zoning permits up to 12 homes per section in A-2 and staff noted five homes already exist in the section, leaving the potential for up to seven additional homes under zoning density rules.

The board reviewed dedicated right-of-way details at length. Valley View Road is a township road; the applicant dedicated 33 feet of right-of-way along the western edge of the property (the county noted the opposite half of the section line is not owned by the Wojcick property). Prairie Rose Lane historically meanders slightly south of the original 66-foot township easement; the plat dedicates a 66-foot roadway easement and additional right-of-way extending about 2,000 feet south into the property, varying from a few feet up to about 9 feet at points. Staff explained topography makes it unlikely Prairie Rose Lane will be extended to connect to County 2, citing an approximate elevation drop of 250 feet if a connection were attempted along that alignment.

Hay Creek Township reviewed the plat and recommended approval at its April 14 meeting. The county planning advisory commission held a public hearing on March 17 and required the applicant to obtain township approval before forwarding to the board; staff confirmed that review was completed. The planning staff recommendation included a condition that if any platted lands include a registered feedlot parcel the new owners update feedlot permits with the Soil and Water Conservation District.

During the board discussion, surveyor Dave Rapp explained that dedication language on the plat “dedicates to the public for public use, the public ways as created by the plat,” and clarified that dedicated public ways do not create a separate tax parcel but are described in the legal description. Commissioners discussed the practical effect of rights-of-way vs. easements and asked staff to continue tracking title and recording matters when county or township road projects acquire title.

A motion to approve the plat was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The board thanked staff and the applicants for their work and moved on to the next agenda item.