Planning panel recommends rezoning for Meyer landlocked 40-acre parcel to allow entitlement transfer

The Stearns County Planning Commission voted to recommend that county commissioners consider rezoning about 40 acres owned by Joseph and Amy Meyer from the T‑20 district to AG‑40 to enable a transfer of a building entitlement.

Staff told the commission the parcel is landlocked, largely wooded and wetlands, and is owned by the Meyers along with adjoining 40‑acre parcels to the southwest. Under the current T‑20 rules the owners have two building entitlements on that parcel; staff said the applicants want to rezone so they may transfer an entitlement to land they own to the west. Brockway Township reviewed the request and recommended approval.

Applicant Joel Meyer said he has an informal agreement with neighbors for access rather than a recorded easement and that he does not anticipate building on the land in the near term but wants the option to transfer an entitlement: “I’m looking for a building entitlement,” Meyer said.

Commissioners questioned whether transfers require contiguity. Staff replied that entitlement transfers are allowed when sending and receiving parcels have been under the same ownership for at least three years, and need not be contiguous in that circumstance.

After a short discussion about comprehensive‑plan consistency and spot‑zoning concerns, a commissioner moved and the panel passed a recommendation to approve the rezoning. The commission recorded that the matter will be forwarded to the Stearns County Board for final consideration on December 2.