Crow Wing County approves three‑lot Leffler Acres preliminary plat in Center Township

The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the preliminary plat for Leffler Acres, a conventional three‑lot subdivision on an approximately 22‑acre parcel (parcel 53040576) in Section 4 of Center Township.

The county’s land services staff presented the application and the findings of fact from the planning commission, which held a public hearing on Aug. 21, 2025 and issued a unanimous recommendation to approve the plat. Planning staff told the board the commission also granted a variance to allow use of an existing 33‑foot ingress/egress easement where a 66‑foot road right‑of‑way usually is required.

Planning staff said wetlands and other low areas on the parcel limit the buildable area and explained why the developer proposed three lots rather than a larger number. “This is in Center Township. So this is not in first assessment. It’s not a township road. This is a, this would be, under the jurisdiction of Center Township,” the presenting staff member said, describing jurisdictional and site constraints. Staff also told the board that all three proposed lots meet the applicable minimum lot area, width and buildable‑area requirements given the wetland coverage.

Commissioners asked whether Center Township had weighed in; staff said the county had provided notice and that no comments were received from the township. After brief discussion about wetlands and building envelopes, Commissioner Lee moved to accept the preliminary plat; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

The board’s action is preliminary approval only; final plat approval, construction of any roads, utility extensions and any building permits remain subject to subsequent county review and any conditions identified in the planning commission findings.

Votes at the meeting also approved routine items earlier in the agenda, including minutes, the meeting agenda and the consent agenda.