The Stearns County Planning Commission on Oct. 23 recommended that the County Board rezone about 39.35 acres owned by the Dale G. Lang Trust, near Avon, from Agricultural-40 (A-40) to Residential-10 (R-10).

Why it matters: Rezoning would change the long-term development potential of the parcel. The applicant said the intent is to create up to three additional residential lots (one dwelling per proposed 10-acre lot) to make land available to younger families; the planning commission’s recommendation will be sent to the County Board for final action on Nov. 4.

Key details: The parcel is part of Lot 15 of Hillcrest Drive and lies north of 300 17th Street. The property is largely wooded with several small wetlands; staff reported roughly 47 homes within a half-mile radius. The site currently carries a single building entitlement; the applicant is seeking rezoning to allow additional 10-acre lots. Staff ran a LISA (land evaluation) score of 47.36 — below the county threshold of 65 used to gauge importance of continued agricultural zoning — and recorded that Farming Township recommended approval.

Public comments and concerns: Nearby residents voiced concerns about access, saying that the only nearby improved route, 300 and 17th Street, is a gravel township road with potholes and that increased traffic would strain maintenance and safety. One neighbor asked that any rezoning be limited so it could not be followed by denser cluster development; another expressed interest in buying one of the smaller lots if the rezoning is approved. Staff noted that any future platting with three or four lots would return to the commission for additional public review; a two-lot split could be handled administratively.

Decision and next steps: After discussion, the commission voted to recommend approval of the rezoning to R-10. If the property is rezoned and the owner files a plat for more than two lots, that plat would come back to the Planning Commission for a separate public hearing. The County Board will consider the rezoning on Nov. 4.