Morrison County planners recommend interim use permit for farm market and learning center

Morrison County Planning Commission members on July 22 voted to recommend approval of an interim use permit that would allow Carrie and Daisy Dembowski to operate a year-round limited rural business — a farm market and a rural living learning center — at 32036 Quest Road in Pulaski Township.

Darren, a county land services staff member, told the commission that “the request is to establish a limited rural business, specifically a farm market and rural living learning center.” The applicants said the proposal would use an existing shed for a classroom and retail sales, add some covered patios and storage, and install a septic system sized to serve the building.

The applicants described the education component as occasional, small classes on agriculture topics and food preservation. “We'd like to teach people how to cook and can and that kind of thing,” Carrie Dembowski said. She and her family operate a greenhouse and sell plants and vegetables seasonally; the applicants said classes would be infrequent, likely one or two a month, and class size would be limited to about 20 students.

During public comment Rich Tagora, a neighbor who lives across the road at 32075 Quest Road, said his main concern was the hours. “My main concern is the hours,” Tagora said, noting he moved to the area for peace and quiet and that activity at the greenhouse already draws traffic.

Planning commissioners discussed performance standards in the county ordinance and state oversight for food preparation. Commissioners said multiple conditions should be attached before the County Board considers the request. Planning staff recorded five recommended conditions, which the applicants agreed to: no parking within the road right-of-way; septic approval by Morrison County Land Services before classes begin and sewage-strength testing with a follow-up check within one year; the applicant must maintain all required state and county licenses; class hours limited to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and an end date tied to ownership (the permit would remain valid while Carrie or Daisy Dembowski own the property).

Commissioners answered the five statutory and ordinance criteria in the affirmative — that the use would not overburden roadways or public facilities, would not harm neighboring property uses, is related to existing agricultural land use, is consistent with the zoning ordinance, and does not conflict with the county comprehensive or water plans. Following that roll-call, the commission moved, seconded and voted to recommend approval to the County Board. The roll-call recorded commissioners Brent, George, Marvin, John and Chair Clint voting “aye,” resulting in a unanimous recommendation.

The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Morrison County Board of Commissioners, which is scheduled to consider the request at its July 29 meeting. Planning staff advised the applicants to contact Land Services with questions before that hearing.

(Reporting note: ordinance citations and specific county section numbers were read during the staff report; staff referenced “Ordinance section 604.8” and related performance standards. The commission also referenced Minnesota statute and county ordinance as the governing criteria for the interim use permit.)