Stearns County planning commission recommends shoreland alteration permit for Horseshoe Heights Association

The Stearns County Planning Commission on Dec. 18 voted to recommend that the County Board approve a conditional use permit for a major shoreland alteration at Horseshoe Lake.

Angie Berg, environmental services staff, told commissioners the application from Paul Gerken on behalf of Horseshoe Heights Association proposes two retaining walls, 278 cubic yards of fill, rock riprap along the shoreline and native vegetation to mitigate erosion. Berg said staff recommends three conditions if approved: riprap must not extend more than 2 feet above the ordinary high water level and must be placed at a 33% slope or flatter, any substitutions to the planting plan require department approval, and the applicant must provide a financial guarantee to ensure vegetation establishment.

Applicant Paul Gerken said the work responds to failing infrastructure and steep slopes that are causing erosion. “We’ve got some failing infrastructure that we’re trying to replace with something a little bit more permanent and, obviously, with a lot more native vegetation to keep any water that starts to go down that hill at bay and keep it from going into the lake,” Gerken said.

Homeowners association representative Melanie, who participated in staff site visits, clarified that the project would remove a failing wall in the center section and replace it with riprap, and that the association does not plan to add new walls on the lakeside. Several commissioners stressed stabilizing the slope for resident safety.

Staff noted the project will also require a permit from the Sauk River Watershed District. After findings of fact that the proposal complies with applicable sections of the county zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan, commissioners moved to recommend approval to the county board with the three staff conditions; the motion passed. The matter is scheduled for the county board on Jan. 6.