Clay County planning commission approves Gilbertsons' conditional use permit for Glendon event center

The Clay County Planning Commission on an evening hearing approved a conditional use permit allowing Roy and Teresa Gilbertson to operate an event center at 158 Eightieth Street South in Glendon, parcel IDs 10.0080.0155 and 10.0090.2001.

Planning staff presented the application as a conversion of an existing interim home‑occupation event use to a conditional use permit after the Gilbertsons combined an adjacent parcel with their original event property. The property is in Ag General zoning and is overlain by shoreland special protection, floodway, floodplain fringe, resource protection and wellhead protection overlays. Staff said parking is an allowed exception in some of those overlays and that the applicants intend to use the additional acreage primarily for overflow parking.

The commission’s staff report said the site has a history of permits for events (a conditional use in 2010 for what was called “Haunted Farm” and an interim use permit in 2013 for a home‑occupation events use) and that the Gilbertsons have operated for more than 10 years with no complaints, including none reported by the fire marshal. Staff concluded the proposal meets applicable lot standards and the county’s comprehensive and transportation plan objectives to allow commercial activity along transportation corridors while protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Staff recommended approval with six conditions that largely mirror the previous interim permit.

Roy Gilbertson spoke for the application, saying the couple recently acquired the neighboring parcel they have used and that the additional land will provide overflow parking and an occasional portable ceremony site; he also described a vendor who provides horse‑and‑buggy rides for some events. No members of the public came forward to speak for or against the permit.

Commissioners asked no substantive changes to staff’s recommended conditions. Commissioners then voted to approve the conditional use permit with the six conditions listed in the staff report; a motion to approve was made by Commissioner Kurt Stubstead and seconded by Commissioner Brad (last name not specified). Chair called for the ayes and the motion carried with no opposition voiced.

The commission’s written findings, read on the record, stated the conditional use would not be injurious to health, safety, morals or general welfare, would not impair neighboring property uses, and would conform with the Clay County ordinance and chapter 8 use standards where applicable. Staff noted the site’s proximity to the Buffalo Aquifer and wellhead protection area but said the use relies on scenic resources rather than heavy industrial activity and that impacts should be minimal. The commission incorporated staff’s six conditions into its approval.

The approved permit converts the previously authorized interim home‑occupation events use to a conditional use permit and allows use of the newly combined acreage for parking and overflow as described by the applicants. No appeals, effective dates or additional implementation steps were discussed on the record.

Details in this report are drawn from the Planning Commission hearing record and staff presentation for the Gilbertson conditional use permit request.