Winona County planning commission approves conditional permit for single-family home on 21.5-acre Pickwick parcel

The Winona County Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional interim use permit allowing Jeremy and Rebecca Church to build a single-family dwelling on a 21.5-acre parcel near Pickwick. Planning staff told commissioners the parcel was created in 2022 and the proposal is for a single dwelling on land smaller than the 40-acre threshold in the county zoning code.

Staff recommended the permit, saying its staff analysis and drafted findings supported approval with three standard conditions tied to site and erosion controls. Staff noted the proposed building site sits between steep slopes and Big Trout Creek, and the driveway and building must meet setback requirements; the planned building site sits outside the shoreland district but requires a 100-foot setback measured from the centerline of County Road 7.

The petitioners addressed the commission directly. Rebecca Church said the move is to “get back to his roots” and described the parcel as hayfield and woods bordering family land. Jeremy Church said they have no immediate plans to subdivide the property.

Commission debate focused on technical questions — confirmation of the 100-foot county road centerline setback, township road setbacks (65 feet), soil classifications and whether the staff finding met ordinance criteria. After confirming staff findings and the listed conditions, the commission accepted the findings of fact and approved the permit by voice vote.

The commission recorded the approval and noted the next Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7 at 9 a.m.