Crow Wing County approves multiple plats and rezones 26.4-acre parcel to commercial

The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners voted to approve several preliminary and final plats and adopted a land‑use map amendment that changes a 26.4‑acre parcel in Garrison Township from waterfront commercial to commercial.

Chris Pence, a land‑services staffer, told the board the planning commission and the planning and zoning board of adjustment had reviewed each application and unanimously recommended approval for the plats. “Based on the application submitted, staff packet, public comments, and the finding of fact, it is recommended to approve” the plats and the map amendment, Pence said.

Why it matters: The plats create new buildable lots and the rezoning reduces lot‑size minimums on the 26.4‑acre parcel so smaller, non‑riparian commercial lots can be created via administrative subdivision rather than a full planning review. That change drew one written objection from a neighbor and prompted discussion about wetlands, potential uses and whether the Minnesota Department of Transportation right of way affects waterfront access.

Most important details

- Riverwood Shores on Whitefish (Section 12, Jenkins Township): preliminary plat approved for an 18‑lot conventional design. Commissioner Luebke moved to approve; Commissioner Francine seconded and the motion passed. Chris Pence said lot sizes and widths meet ordinance requirements.

- Fisher Acres (Section 6, Ideal Township): preliminary plat approved for three lots; the final plat for Fisher Acres was also approved after staff certified that requirements were met. The board approved the preliminary plat (motion by Commissioner Lee; second by Commissioner Luebke) and later the final plat.

- Snook Acres (Section 34, Lake Edward Township): preliminary and final plats approved for three lots plus an outlot providing shared access to North Long Lake. Commissioners discussed wetland setbacks along Ditch 13 and emphasized the packet shows building areas and wet frontage; the board approved the preliminary and final plats (motion by Commissioner Francine; second by Commissioner Coring).

- Brainerd International Raceway luxury garages (Section 13, First Assessment District): final plat approved for a conservation‑design bridal plat of 12 individual lots and one shared outlot. The project replats an earlier layout to create smaller units that include garage space and a small living quarter; the development will use a shared septic system and a homeowners association to manage utilities. Motion by Commissioner Coring; second by Commissioner Lee — motion passed.

- Land use map amendment, parcel 67360502 (part of Government Lot 3, Section 36, Garrison Township): the board approved changing the designation from waterfront commercial to commercial for approximately 26.4 acres to allow the creation of smaller non‑riparian commercial lots. Pence summarized the difference: commercial lot minimums are roughly 40,000 square feet (about one acre) and 100 feet wide, while waterfront commercial requires larger widths and areas intended for water‑oriented uses. The motion to approve the map amendment was made by Commissioner Lee and seconded by Commissioner Francine; the motion passed 4–1.

Board members and staff noted public concerns about potential future uses (mobile homes, campgrounds, resale of subdivided parcels) and the presence of wetlands and MnDOT right‑of‑way that complicates waterfront access. Pence said some concerns — for example, where property lines and MnDOT easements begin — must be resolved directly with MnDOT when specific development proposals arrive.

What the board decided and next steps

The board approved the preliminary and final plats presented and approved the land‑use map amendment. For the preliminary plats, county staff said next steps include engineering design and, if required, developer’s agreements that hold developers to construction cost estimates and improvement standards before final plat recording. For the rezoned parcel, Pence said non‑riparian lots could be created through the administrative subdivision process without returning to the planning commission.

Ending

Pence and county staff said files are available in the board packet for anyone seeking maps or the findings of fact. Commissioners noted the county will have additional plat business at its next meeting in June.