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County approves Tip Top First Edition preliminary plat with conditions
Summary
The Crow Wing County Board approved a two‑lot preliminary plat for Tip Top First Edition with conditions including removal of an old lodge within 24 months and limits on enlarging two existing cabins; the planning commission recommended approval 3–1 and the board approved the plat by roll call.
The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners approved the preliminary plat for Tip Top First Edition, a two‑lot replat of parcel 68210711 in Section 21 of Ideal Township, following a staff presentation and a planning commission recommendation.
Land Services staff told the board the planning commission and board of adjustment granted a variance for lot size and build area but added conditions: the old lodge on the property must be removed within 24 months to reduce impervious coverage, and two existing cabins on the site are legal nonconformities that may not be enlarged or raised without returning to the board of adjustment for a variance. The staff report said the proposal meets the minimum standards of the Minnesota rule cited in the packet (transcript: “Minnesota SHORON rule 61 20”) for lot size and lake frontage.
Why it matters: The change splits the former Tip Top resort property into two lots while preserving existing cabin footprints and imposing conditions intended to reduce shoreline and impervious impacts.
Board action and vote: Commissioner Luebke moved to approve the preliminary plat per the staff finding of fact; Commissioner Lee seconded. The board approved the motion by roll call with the following votes recorded in the transcript: Commissioner Lee—Aye; Commissioner Coring—Aye; Commissioner Franzen—Nay; Commissioner Lubcke—Aye; Commissioner Barrows—Aye. The motion passed.
Supporting details from the packet and discussion included that the planning commission held a public hearing on March 20, 2025, produced findings of fact, and recommended approval 3–1. Staff noted the site contains two existing cabins and the lodge; the cabins are legal nonconforming structures that can be rebuilt in their current footprints with a permit but cannot be enlarged under the conditional variance. Ideal Township initially did not support the request but, according to staff, Commissioner Luebke later spoke with township officials and the township changed to supportive.
The board’s approval included the conditions described in the planning commission’s findings of fact, including the requirement to remove the lodge within 24 months and the restriction on enlarging the cabins without further board of adjustment review.
No permit or final recording steps were taken at the meeting; the board approved the preliminary plat subject to the stated conditions and the easement/exhibit and survey materials referenced in the staff report.
