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Commission recommends accessory dwelling unit for Gray Eagle property with occupancy condition
Summary
The planning commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a Gray Eagle property; staff recommended one condition requiring the property owner to occupy one of the two dwellings, and the ADU will be limited to 700 square feet and located outside the shoreland overlay portion of the lot.
Stearns County planning commissioners on June 26 recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a Gray Eagle property owned by Isaac (Ike) Hoffman. The property is partly within the shoreland overlay for the nearby lake, but the proposed ADU location is outside the shoreland portion.
The ADU proposed is 700 square feet (county ordinance allows up to 1,000 square feet). The applicant has submitted and received septic design approval for the new dwelling; staff confirmed required wetland and setback distances (structures must be at least 25 feet from mapped wetlands and the proposed ADU meets that requirement). The small accessory dwelling will use the existing driveway access from Birch Park Circle; a new septic mound (10 by 25 foot rock bed with mound) was described and placed east of the new structure and existing shed in the approved design.
Staff recommended one condition for approval: the property owner shall continue to reside in one of the residential dwellings on the parcel so the ADU is not rented separately from the primary residence. Commissioners asked about enforcement; staff said ESD would notify and pursue compliance if a violation occurred (owner must occupy one of the two structures or remove the ADU). The commission moved, seconded and approved the CUP with that single condition; the recommendation will go to the county board on July 8.
