Commission recommends permit for new home on 31‑acre split in St. Charles Township

The Winona County Planning Commission on Sept. 18 recommended approval of a conditional/interim use permit (PC09182502) to allow a new single‑family dwelling on a proposed 31‑acre parcel created by a split of a 71‑acre property in Section 33 of Saint Charles Township.

Staff told commissioners the applicant, Kelly Anderson, proposed a 31‑acre parcel north of an existing 40‑acre portion created by the split. The parcel would require a conditional use because ARC zoning generally requires new homes to be on at least 40 acres. Staff noted the applicant had already received a variance earlier in the day for prime soils on the site. The recommended permit included four conditions drafted by staff.

The proposed building site is wooded at the edge of an existing crop field; the petitioner proposed a 50‑by‑40 building footprint with a driveway using an existing field approach off Cherokee Road, which dead‑ends near the parcel. Staff said the parcel is currently in alfalfa and that the 31‑acre section could be maintained as cropland or transitioned to native grassland. Saint Charles Township considered the split at its July 19 meeting and had no comments; staff reported no neighbor comments were received by the county.

Kelly Anderson, the petitioner, spoke briefly and said she had no additional information beyond staff's presentation and was available for questions. Commissioners opened and closed the public hearing with no members of the public speaking. The commission voted (voice) to recommend approval; the item advances to the Winona County Board for consideration at the Oct. 14 public meeting at 9 a.m.

Votes at a glance: Planning Commission — Recommendation to approve conditional/interim use permit for a 31‑acre split (PC09182502); outcome: recommended to county board; numerical tally not recorded in transcript.