The Stearns County Planning Commission voted 3–2 to recommend that the County Board consider Carol and Clark Jones’ request to rezone about 40.5 acres near Lake Moriah from AG‑40 to R‑10.

Staff said the parcel is wooded, includes wetlands and is in the shoreland overlay of Moriah and Crooked lakes. The LISA score was 39.05, well under the county threshold of 65. Linden Township recommended approval. Staff noted that if the entire 40 acres were rezoned to R‑10 the owners would be eligible for up to four residential dwelling units under current county rules.

Carol Jones told the commission the change is motivated by family needs: she said she and her spouse are "not getting any younger" and want to sell the existing homestead with 10 acres and build a smaller home. Commissioners asked why the applicants sought R‑10 rather than R‑5 and whether the rezoning could be limited to a single 10‑acre parcel; staff explained that rezoning the full 40 would automatically carry multiple entitlements while rezoning a single 10‑acre portion would yield one entitlement.

Members debated spot‑zoning, the effect on rural character and traffic and whether the request conforms to the comprehensive plan’s living goals. After discussion the commission approved forwarding the rezoning to the County Board by a 3–2 roll call. The County Board will consider the request Dec. 2.