Planning panel recommends county board approve Allen family request for home on under-40-acre parcel

Winona County planning commissioners voted to recommend the county board approve a conditional-use permit that would allow a single-family home on a parcel of just under 3 acres in Saratoga Township.

Staff planner Aaron told the commission the site lies in the Agricultural Resource Conservation district and showed maps indicating mapped wetlands to the north and public water, a floodplain and a shoreland district to the west. He said the parcel is primarily class 2 and class 3 soils and that the petitioners had already secured a variance from the county’s soil standards at a recent board of adjustment meeting.

“An oblique aerial view here … the proposed parcel is just under 3 acres,” Aaron said during his presentation, and he urged commissioners to consider the full materials and the draft findings prepared by the county attorney’s office.

Petitioner Jim Allen, who identified himself as the owner, told the commissioners the application package was complete and that he expected the new dwelling to have its own well. Neighbor Tom Bujan, who lives at 28493 Sinclair Road, spoke during the public comment period, saying the proposed location would “pretty much take away my backyard privacy totally.”

Commissioners asked about driveway access, easements and the proximity of nearby feedlots. Jordan noted the board of adjustment had reviewed prime soils earlier and that several potential building locations had been considered before the current siting. After discussion, a motion to approve the staff recommendation with the findings of fact and proposed conditions passed on a voice vote; no nays were recorded.

The commission scheduled the item to go before the Winona County Board on December 11 at 6:00 p.m. for final action.