Planning commission recommends approval of 44‑lot final plat in Richardson Township

The Morrison County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a final plat for the Duane and Roseanne Hoffman Revocable Trust, a proposal to subdivide an 82.79‑acre parcel in Richardson Township into 44 buildable lots and two outlots.

The recommendation came after a Land Services staff report and a presentation by the applicants, followed by commissioner questions about road construction, emergency access and the developer's financial assurances. Amy (Land Services staff) summarized the application and packet materials and said the proposal complies with county ordinance section 1500 and relevant comprehensive plan goals.

The plat would create residential lots on a parcel dually zoned shoreland and residential; the smallest lot proposed is 0.66 acres. Staff reported soils have been verified for type‑1 septic systems for each lot, power and telephone services will be stubbed to each lot, and covenants were submitted addressing outdoor storage, types of homes, parking on roads and junk accumulation. A developers' agreement including road specifications, timeline and bond amount has been drafted and reviewed by the county attorney and will be executed if the county board approves the final plat.

Commissioners pressed the applicants on several implementation details. Commissioner Marvin Bridal said he was “very impressed how well put together this was,” but raised concerns about long‑term maintenance of a gravel road expected to serve a subdivision with an estimated high vehicle count. Commissioner George asked about paving; Amy and the applicant said a paved turn lane would be required at the north entrance (County State Aid Highway 51/Quest Road) while interior roads are planned as narrower class‑5 surface roads with dust‑control plans and township maintenance agreements. Applicant Gary Hoffman said, “If we sign the developer’s agreement, we'll come up with what we're doing there,” when asked about the required performance bond or escrow.

Staff said 152 notices were sent and no written comments were received before the public hearing; township officials attended the preliminary hearing and accepted narrower road widths for maintenance purposes. The county board previously approved the preliminary plat on Nov. 5, 2024; the planning commission's recommendation will go to the county board for final action on Jan. 28.

The commission's motion to recommend approval passed with four yes votes (George — yes; Marvin Bridal — yes; John — yes; Clint Catherine — yes). The planning commission recorded no dissenting votes at the hearing.

Next steps: the planning commission will forward its recommendation and the developer's agreement to the County Board of Commissioners for final consideration on Jan. 28. Staff advised applicants to contact Land Services with questions in the interim.