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Planning panel recommends 21‑lot Trailside Preserve preliminary plat despite neighbor traffic and runoff concerns
Summary
The Crow Wing County Board of Adjustment recommended approval of the Trailside Preserve preliminary plat (21 one‑acre lots) to the County Board on Nov. 20. Neighbors raised traffic, stormwater, septic and tree‑loss concerns; the applicant said lots will have two septic sites and estimated new‑construction prices in the $400,000–$500,000 range.
The Crow Wing County Board of Adjustment on Nov. 20 voted to recommend that the County Board approve a preliminary plat for Trailside Preserve, a 21‑lot single‑family subdivision adjacent to Sandberg Road in the Gilbert Lake area.
County planner Chris presented the preliminary plat for RAND Property Group LLC (parcel 99270692), describing a cul‑de‑sac off Gilbert Lake Road, an easement connecting lots to the Paul Bunyan Trail, and road construction to unorganized‑territory specifications (blacktop with a 7‑ton capacity). Each lot, staff said, includes two septic site locations (primary and alternate). As submitted, staff said, the proposal meets ordinance requirements and requires no variances.
The application drew multiple public comments. Carrie Martin of Jean Street asked what “affordable housing” meant in practice and pressed the applicant for likely sale prices. The applicant, Andrew Ranweiler, responded that final home designs and pricing are not set but said a realistic new‑construction target would be in the “$400,000–$500,000” range. Several neighbors, including residents at 10220 and 10290 Gilbert Trail, circulated a petition and warned the panel that adding 21 homes to a dead‑end outlet onto Wise Road would increase traffic for existing residents and delivery vehicles. A neighbor pointed to a steep crest near the proposed entrance and said limited sightlines make left turns hazardous.
Residents also raised environment and site‑planning concerns. Dustin Lick said his property regularly floods in spring and asked whether the plat’s stormwater plan would protect low‑lying lots; staff and the applicant said KLD’s engineering includes four designated stormwater ponds and that culverts and drainage will be routed to the ponds to meet county stormwater requirements. Thor Thorsten and other nearby homeowners expressed worry that redeveloping one‑acre lots and installing driveways, wells and septic systems would remove the remaining trees and alter the area’s character.
Board members reviewed findings and standard conditions from staff, noted that lot size and zoning changes were made previously by the County Board during the 2023–24 comprehensive plan update, and clarified that rezoning to change one‑acre minimums would require separate county‑board action. After discussion the panel moved and seconded a recommendation to the County Board to approve the preliminary plat with the conditions and findings in the staff report; the motion carried. The County Board will take final action at its Dec. 16 meeting.
What happens next: the board’s action is a recommendation. The applicant must complete the listed conditions before applying for final plat approval, and the County Board will make the final decision on Dec. 16.
