Board reappoints Brad Eldridge; planning office reports drop in permits and moves to update development code

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on March 11 unanimously appointed Brad Eldridge to a second three-year term on the county Planning Commission and then received an annual update from the Planning and Zoning Office.

At the February Planning Commission meeting, commissioners said, staff and the Planning Commission recommended Eldridge for reappointment; a motion to appoint passed on a voice vote.

Planning Director Matt presented the office's annual report. He said the department's mission is to promote public health, safety and general welfare through administration of the comprehensive plan, development code, permitting and enforcement in alignment with applicable state and federal laws. He summarized 2024 permitting and land-use activity: building permits fell from a 2023 high of about 210 to 150 in 2024, new housing starts dropped from a 2021 peak of 43 to about 20 in 2024, and total new construction valuation was roughly $15 million in 2024.

Matt said single-lot subdivisions were relatively active (about 66 in 2024) and the county processed three major plats (two commercial, one residential). He noted an increase in conditional and interim uses compared with the prior year but said the numbers remain below the 2021'22 highs driven by gravel-pit and community-solar activity in earlier years. The county has seen growth in industrial permits (gravel pits), essential services (community solar) and warehousing/storage.

Director Matt described changes proposed in the development-code update intended to reduce repetitive variance requests: for example, where variances for mining within a 100-foot setback are routinely approved, the draft code would instead require a written agreement with adjoining landowners. He also said the draft would permit accessory dwelling units by right in place of recurring interim-use permits for second dwellings.

Other matters discussed included continued growth in zoning-enforcement caseloads (staff estimated roughly 100 active violations), collaborative enforcement with the county attorney, sheriff and environmental health, and submittal of shoreland and floodplain sections to the state Department of Natural Resources for review. Matt said the planning office is preparing to move permitting applications online and is considering a modest fee-schedule update to keep base fees stable while adjusting penalties and fees for after-the-fact permits.

Commissioners praised the department's work on marijuana retail regulations and the comprehensive plan, and noted township delegation resolutions under consideration by some townships that would delegate retail authority to the county.