Planning commission recommends denial of Wilkin Shores plat after MIAC flags entire site as protected cemetery

The Stearns County Planning Commission on Feb. 11 recommended denial of the Wilkin Shores plat, an eight‑lot subdivision proposed on roughly 15.2 acres along Knauss Lake, citing concerns about cultural‑resource constraints and buildability.

Mark Wilkin, the applicant, and his attorney, Patrick Steinhoff, presented the proposed subdivision and engineering work showing house sites, shared driveways and a stormwater plan with regional basins. The county’s staff report noted the plat would meet setbacks and lot‑coverage standards, outlined required stormwater guarantees and a proposed homeowners association to maintain shared infrastructure, and included a draft list of conditions should the commission approve the plat.

During the public hearing, Brandon Elkayer, legislative and policy director for the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, and Lily Garrity, MIAC’s cultural resources manager, said the entire parcel is classified as a cemetery under Minnesota law and that any ground‑disturbing activity on any lot would trigger MIAC review. Elkayer said the property “has been classified a cemetery” since 1979 and emphasized the longstanding designation; Garrity summarized the statutory review process and the practical…