Votes at a glance: Crow Wing County board approves nuisance abatement, rezoning, road acceptances and property easement

Crow Wing County commissioners on Feb. 11 recorded a series of formal votes covering public health enforcement, a zoning map amendment, acceptance of new public roads, a right-of-way settlement with the city of Breezy Point, and out-of-state travel authorization for a veteran service officer.

Key outcomes

- Public health nuisance: The board declared 13734 County Road 25 in Brainerd a public health nuisance and approved use of solid waste funds to abate the property if the owner does not comply. Motion by Commissioner Coring; second by Commissioner Franzen. Vote: Coring Aye; Franzen Aye; Lubcke Aye; Lee Aye; Barrows Aye. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Land-use map amendment (PID 75040516): The board amended the official land-use map for a 44.8-acre parcel in Long Lake Township from Rural Residential 5 (RR5) to Rural Residential 2.5 (RR2.5). Planning staff and the planning commission recommended the change as a transition between surrounding lot sizes; the board approved the zoning amendment. Motion by Commissioner Coring; second by Commissioner Lee. Vote recorded as unanimous Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Road acceptance (Sanctuary Lane and Sanctuary Path): The board accepted new subdivision roads—Sanctuary Lane and Sanctuary Path—subject to the developer completing two final items: establishment of vegetation to control erosion and installation of a consolidated U.S. Postal Service cluster mailbox (concrete base required, installation deferred to spring). Motion by Commissioner Franzen; second by Commissioner Lubcke. Roll call: unanimous Aye. Outcome: accepted, contingent on final items.

- Right-of-way settlement with city of Breezy Point: The board authorized the county chair to sign documents that convey permanent and temporary easements on county-owned property (PID 18011906) to the city of Breezy Point for construction of an improved roadway, accepting the city’s negotiated payment of $9,500 plus related fees. Motion by Commissioner Luebke; second by Commissioner Lee. Vote: unanimous Aye. Outcome: authorized.

- Out-of-state travel (Veterans Service Office): The board authorized travel for Natalie Peterson, ACBSO, to attend the Disabled American Veterans national convention in Washington, D.C., using grant funds to cover travel; the county would cover regular wages. Motion by Commissioner Coring; second by Commissioner Luebke. Vote: unanimous Aye. Outcome: approved.

Other routine actions recorded at the meeting included approving the Jan. 2025 minutes, adopting the agenda, and approving the consent agenda (consent agenda taken without item 5.6 which was discussed separately). Those procedural items passed on roll calls recorded in the transcript.

Why this matters

The land-use change could influence development patterns near Highway 25 and Butternut Road; the road acceptances make newly built subdivision streets eligible for public maintenance once final conditions are met; the easement sale enables a city-led roadway improvement that required deeded right-of-way. The nuisance declaration authorizes county abatement funding for a health code enforcement action on a private property.

Board actions (detailed)

- Declare public health nuisance at 13734 County Road 25, Brainerd; authorize use of solid-waste funds for abatement if owner fails to comply. Mover: Commissioner Coring. Second: Commissioner Franzen. Vote: unanimous Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Amend land-use map for PID 75040516 from RR5 to RR2.5 (44.8 acres). Mover: Commissioner Coring. Second: Commissioner Lee. Vote: unanimous Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Accept Sanctuary Lane and Sanctuary Path as public roads contingent on vegetation establishment and USPS cluster mailbox installation. Mover: Commissioner Franzen. Second: Commissioner Lubcke. Vote: unanimous Aye. Outcome: accepted contingent on completion of final items.

- Authorize county chair to sign permanent and temporary easement documents and related forms to convey right-of-way to the city of Breezy Point (PID 18011906) for $9,500 plus fees. Mover: Commissioner Luebke. Second: Commissioner Lee. Vote: unanimous Aye. Outcome: authorized.

- Authorize out-of-state travel (Disabled American Veterans national convention, Washington, D.C.) for Natalie Peterson; grant-funded travel with county-wage coverage. Mover: Commissioner Coring. Second: Commissioner Luebke. Vote: unanimous Aye. Outcome: approved.

Documentation for each action appears in the meeting packet and is referenced in the planning and land services staff presentations.