Commission approves permit to move 28x28 house onto six-acre Yucatan Township parcel

The Houston County Planning Commission on Sept. 24 recommended a conditional-use permit to allow Tim and Gwen Nelson to move an existing dwelling onto a six‑acre parcel in Yucatan Township.

The applicants said the house — a 28-by-28 structure with an additional garage section planned as a separate move — will be transported from a property on John Deere Road to a site off County Road 13. The applicants told the commission they had consulted the township and a moving contractor based in the Lake City area and that tree trimming along the route would be necessary.

Planning staff and commissioners reviewed required findings. The record shows a septic designer identified two Type 1 septic locations on the parcel and that an erosion control plan has been approved by the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The applicants told the commission the home will be placed on a basement foundation and that utility and driveway permitting would follow county procedures; staff said a temporary second driveway for the move is permitted with the understanding it must be removed afterward and that permit fees apply.

Commissioners approved the conditional-use findings by voice vote and recommended the permit with the two standard conditions listed in the packet. Recorded votes on the motion were in favor: Larry Gosted, John (Jonathan) Glasspool, Josh Grama, Franklin Hahn, Eric Johnson, Wayne Feldmeier voted yes; Chase Munson was absent. The recommendation will be forwarded to the county board for final action in accordance with the normal permitting process.

Applicant Tim Nelson said he hoped to complete the move before winter if schedules and weather allow and that the mover would provide final hauling details and costs. Commissioners and members of the public discussed logistics — trimming lines and trees, temporary driveway access and the potential for structural issues during transport — and the applicant noted some prior structural work (spray foam in the attic) that the mover said would help stability during the move.

The commission recorded that all technical conditions (septic, erosion control and driveway permits) must be satisfied before a building permit or utility connections are issued. The vote followed standard county procedure for non‑farm dwellings in the Agricultural Protection District and included findings that the use will not degrade water quality or impede surrounding agricultural uses if the approved plans are followed.