Goodhue County commissioners approved a preliminary plat that would subdivide a 280-acre parcel at 32400 Highway 56 Boulevard in Dennison into four lots after the planning commission recommended approval. County land use staff presented the application from the McKeague family and noted the property is zoned A1 (agricultural protection) in Stanton Township.

The planning packet included the application, proposed preliminary plat, vicinity maps and planning commission minutes from the December 15 hearing. Land use staff told the board that preliminary plat approval does not allow deeds to be filed: "deeds cannot be filed transferring any of the properties until the plat is recorded," staff said, and that preliminary approval expires if the final plat is not submitted within 180 days.

Why it matters: Final plat recording is the legal step that allows transfers and building permits to proceed; the preliminary approval advances the process but does not create an immediately transferrable lot. Commissioners highlighted practical impacts for landowners settling estates and the county's role in balancing planning oversight with reducing unnecessary expense.

Commissioner Brad Anderson urged staff to examine the subdivision ordinance to determine whether estate-driven splits can be handled differently from residential-development plats to avoid repeated, expensive replatting. Anderson said the ordinance "is pushing people to plat it so they can finish their estate plan..." and described the potential for short-term procedural fixes to become long-term costs for landowners. Land use staff responded that they would research whether state statute allows distinguishing plat purpose and report back.

Public comment and airspace: One public comment raised concerns about airspace near Stanton Airport. Staff reminded the board that FAA regulations protect airport approach/departure airspace and noted the county's 35-foot structure-height limit typically prevents conflicts.

Next steps: If the board’s action stands, the property owner will hire a surveyor to prepare a final plat with signatures and the final document will return to the county board for final approval and recording. Staff also agreed to research possible subdivision ordinance adjustments and report findings to the board.

Ending: The board voted to move the preliminary plat forward; the county will await a final plat and staff follow-up on ordinance options.