Planning commission approves interim permit to move more than 1,000 cubic yards for private access after neighbor concerns

The Winona County Planning Commission voted to approve an interim use permit that allows a property owner to move more than 1,000 cubic yards of material to construct an access on private property, after commissioners heard questions from neighbors about erosion and groundwater.

Commissioner Eugene Hansen, who moved to approve the permit, said he had inspected the site and “have no problem with the conditional use permit to allow them to move more than a thousand yards of material. So I have no further problems and I think we can vote and move on.” Hansen’s motion carried on a voice/hand vote.

The petition had been taken off the table for discussion. Neighbors raised two main concerns: possible damage to nearby yards and roads from increased runoff and uncertainty about groundwater impacts. One resident, Amber Vazkoski, told commissioners, “Trucks do a lot of damage on Quarry Hill Road as it is that erodes property. I'm afraid that it's going to erode if it's too close to our property line.” Another resident, identified as Nancy, said she was concerned about groundwater safety and asked how close the proposed road would be to her property.

Staff and several commissioners said the permit includes conditions and that the project will also fall under state stormwater rules. A staff speaker explained that because the work will disturb more than one acre, the project will require a federal/state stormwater permit and associated best-management practices (the packet referenced state/NPDES-related controls). Commissioners said monitoring would be reactive to complaints and that soil-and-water and county staff would be involved to confirm erosion controls and vegetative stabilization before the permit is closed out.

Discussion also noted the site lies near areas covered by local bluffland protections; commissioners said the Board of Adjustment had already granted a related variance and that additional engineering and erosion-control conditions were part of the recommendation. Commissioners emphasized the county’s authority is limited to the land-disturbance and permit conditions as submitted; easement locations and private road specifications are not set by the commission as long as work remains on the petitioner’s property.

The commission approved the interim use permit with staff-recommended conditions. The item will next appear before the County Board on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m., per the commission notice.