Commission recommends approval of Creekside Grove Outlot B minor subdivision

The Kasson City Planning Commission recommended approval of a minor subdivision to split Outlot B of the Creekside Grove subdivision, allowing the landowner to sell portions of the outlot rather than the entire parcel.

Staff presented the split as following an existing wetland delineation: the proposed division would separate the south portion of Outlot B from the remainder along the marked wetland corridor. Ian (planning staff) said the split will allow the property owner, identified in the record as Dean Schutte of Schutte Enterprises, to sell parts of the parcel rather than the whole outlot.

Ian told commissioners the split is not a public hearing item; the commission was being asked for comment and a recommendation. He said the legal descriptions will be prepared so the county can record separate tax parcels and that staff will confirm acceptable wording with the county. "This lower section gets developed soon anyway, so it won't matter," Ian said in discussion about timing, while cautioning that the road alignment and plats will change when the road is put in.

Staff and commissioners discussed wetland and stormwater considerations. The wetland corridor shown in the exhibits is delineated in faint gray, and staff said that area would not be built on unless the landowner obtained wetland mitigation credits. Commissioners and staff noted nearby pond facilities and that engineers will be required to provide drainage calculations; the city and county have existing ponds in the corridor that staff said take a significant share of local runoff.

The presentation linked the split to other local development: staff said the Reagan addition and related plats (before the City Council) include a required east–west connection, and if those projects proceed a Thirteenth Street connection across this portion could be platted in the future. Zoning for most of the parcel is "development holding," with a small portion already rezoned to commercial; comprehensive plan guidance shown in the staff report guides the area toward a mix of high‑density residential and retail/service commercial along Highway 57.

The commission moved and seconded a recommendation to approve the minor subdivision; members voted by voice to recommend approval and no opposition was recorded on the record. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Ian noted the landowner (Dean Schutte) has not disclosed specific development plans for the parcel at this time.

Why it matters: The split could enable a future east–west road connection to Highway 57 and permit separate sales that may accelerate development; wetland protections and drainage calculations will be needed before any build‑out.