The Wabasha County Board on June 3 approved a conditional‑use permit (CUP) for an adult foster care home and accompanying lodging operation proposed by applicant Jamie Ratz, but the board added a condition that the adult foster care portion cannot be used until the state issues any required license.

Planning staff reported that the planning commission held a public hearing May 27 and recommended approval, subject to ten conditions set out in the commission’s report. Conditions included submittal of the Minnesota Department of Human Services license for the adult foster care operation, separate inspections for building/code/fire/ADA compliance, no parking along County Road 4, a required E911 address and septic approval prior to permits.

During discussion, county zoning enforcement raised concerns that the applicant did not yet hold an adult foster‑care license and that state bed availability may prevent near‑term licensure. "If it was just for VRBO, I would be fine with it. But the way it's presented, I don't think it would be wise to proceed," a county zoning enforcement staff member said during discussion.

Board members debated whether to approve a CUP that includes two distinct commercial uses (lodging and licensed adult foster care) when the state license for the foster‑care beds was not currently available. The board added an explicit condition: no part of the property shall operate as an adult foster care facility until the required license is obtained from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The board retained other planning‑commission recommended conditions (addresses, inspections, septic, e911, etc.).

The motion to approve the CUP with the amended condition passed on a voice vote.

What to watch: County staff will require submission of the DHS license before an adult foster‑care use may commence. If licensing is delayed or denied, the lodging portion may proceed but the licensed portion may not be operated until state approval is provided and county conditions are met.