Planning commission approves 3-year interim permit for two tent short‑term rentals at 1805 E. Highway 61

Cook County planning commissioners on Aug. 13 approved a three‑year interim use permit allowing two “wall” tents to operate as short‑term rentals at 1805 East Highway 61, subject to conditions including an approved septic system, installation of a driveway and parking area, and a physical address sign before rental activity begins.

The permit allows two tent units — the application describes a primary tent about 16 by 20 feet and a smaller second tent — to be placed on a roughly 2‑acre property zoned R‑1 (single‑family residential). The application request was processed as an interim use permit under article 10 of the Cook County Zoning Ordinance because campgrounds and short‑term tent rentals are not listed explicitly as permitted or conditional uses in R‑1.

Tim (staff member) presented the application and staff report, describing the project as a year‑round short‑term rental of two wall tents with a proposed bathhouse containing a toilet, sink and shower. He told commissioners the parcel is undeveloped, has pedestrian/ATV access but no existing passenger‑vehicle driveway, and that staff recommends conditions including compliance with Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 and Cook County septic requirements.

Eric Pearson, representing applicants Aaron and Atlanta Bates, told the commission the applicants "appreciate their neighbors and respect them and their privacy" and described the proposal as "pretty, simple" with two small tents. He told the panel that water for the bathhouse would initially be "carrying" water from the applicants' existing well, using a holding tank: "There'll be a small holding thing, actually pulling water from from my house, clean ... drinking water from my well," he said.

Commissioners asked about access, wetlands and water. Staff noted there is no current driveway to the parcel, that parking is now on a neighboring parcel's shared driveway, and that any future driveway would require appropriate culvert permits and potentially a wetland delineation because of a visible stream course in site figures. No written comments were submitted during the notice period; the legal notice ran in the Cook County News‑Herald on Aug. 1, 2025 and 14 adjacent property owners and the Minnesota DNR hydrologist were notified.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve a three‑year interim use permit with the conditions listed in the staff report and an expiration upon sale of the property; the motion was seconded and approved with no recorded opposition.

Conditions the planning commission attached (as reflected in the staff report and the motion) include: compliance with all local, state and federal regulations; installation of an approved septic system meeting Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 and Cook County septic ordinance prior to issuance of land‑use permits; driveway and on‑site parking established on the subject property prior to rental activity; tents and structures to meet a 50‑foot rear yard and 10‑foot side yard setback; a physical address sign installed at the turnoff to 1805 prior to rental activity; and that the permit be valid for three years or until sale of the property, whichever comes first. The commission also noted staff should follow up on timeline for the driveway, parking, well and septic construction.

The interim use permit will next be forwarded to the Cook County Board of Commissioners for final approval (as noted in the staff presentation). The planning commission record shows no written opposition and the applicants and staff indicated they will work with Environmental Health, the Minnesota Department of Health where applicable, and county permitting prior to occupancy.

Public‑record documents filed with the application include photos and site figures; staff advised commissioners that any driveway construction crossing the stream course should consider wetland delineation and appropriate culvert permitting to avoid later removal or erosion issues.