Board approves 2-acre nonfarm residential designation for Ridgeland-area parcel

The Dunn County Board of Adjustment on Oct. 8 approved a conditional use to designate 2 acres of a 41.5-acre farm tract for nonfarm residential use for James Kristofferson, concluding the request met state and county standards for such a split.

Staff told the board the farm base tract totals 41.5 acres and that, under the 1:20 ratio used in Chapter 91 farmland-preservation guidance and Dunn County Chapter 13 zoning, the tract is eligible for up to 2.07 acres of nonfarm residential use. The board’s approval covers two acres as requested.

Tammy (zoning staff) said soils at the proposed building site are primarily nonprime, with a small portion listed as farmland of statewide importance, and that roughly eight acres of the tract remain in cultivation for soybeans and winter wheat. Staff noted that no farmland-preservation tax credits are claimed on the parcel and that the Town of Wilson recommended approval.

Applicant James Kristofferson told the board a percolation test was completed Sept. 20 and that GeoPro Mapping surveyed the proposed area Oct. 10. He said a sewer permit application had been submitted for the planned dwelling and asked whether changes in builder or timing would require returning to the board. Tammy explained that the board’s decision designates the two acres; building plans and permits are reviewed separately at the zoning-permit stage and that the board typically requires the applicant to record an affidavit and submit the certified map of survey to formalize the split.

The board moved and seconded a motion to approve the 2-acre nonfarm designation subject to standard findings and conditions, including submission of a certified survey/map and recording an affidavit referencing the board’s decision. The board agreed to a two-year timeframe for the affidavit to be recorded, consistent with a recent comparable approval. The motion passed unanimously.

— Key details —

• Applicant: James Kristofferson.

• Request: Designate 2 acres of a 41.5-acre farm base tract for nonfarm residential use under Chapter 91 (farmland-preservation standards) and Dunn County Chapter 13.

• Staff findings: Parcel can accommodate 2 acres without converting prime farmland; proposed building site is on marginal/fallow area; no farmland-preservation credits claimed.

• Conditions: Certified map of survey to be submitted identifying the nonfarm acres; affidavit referencing the board’s decision and the map of survey to be recorded (board set two years for the affidavit); building/zoning permits required before construction.

• Vote: Unanimous approval.

Next steps for the applicant are to record the survey and affidavit within the board’s timeframe and to obtain necessary sewer and building permits before construction begins.