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Cook County planning commission backs rezoning of 39.83-acre Hedstrom parcel for residential use
Summary
The commission voted to recommend rezoning a 39.83-acre parcel on the Gunflint Trail from Light Industrial to FAR 3, supporting future residential subdivision; staff cited shoreland protections and ongoing water-quality monitoring.
The Cook County Planning Commission on a voice vote recommended rezoning a 39.83-acre parcel owned by Howard Hedstrom from Light Industrial to FAR 3, a less intensive district that allows residential subdivision.
Staff told the commission the parcel on the Gunflint Trail was historically part of Hedstrom’s Lumber and is bordered by federal land and other FAR 3 parcels. Neva Maxwell (staff) noted that land within 300 feet of the site’s river is classified as shoreland under Article 7 of the Cook County zoning ordinance and that the Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District reported historic changes to the river that could affect water quality; that monitoring will continue into 2026. “Changing its zoning from light industrial to FAR 3 would likely reduce future land-use impacts and provide better protection for the river,” staff said during the presentation.
Applicant Howard Hedstrom told the commission the property is largely undeveloped, has good access and utility potential, and could support several larger residential lots. “It’ll open up some very nice lots, pretty close to town,” Hedstrom said, adding he has retained survey and engineering consultants to address wetlands and a stream crossing.
Commissioners asked several site-specific questions, including whether the change would remove needed light-industrial land and how the rezoning aligns with the county land-use plan. One commissioner said the county is receiving more requests for residential development and that affordable housing is an ongoing local concern. After reviewing staff findings, a commissioner moved to approve the rezoning based on the staff report; the motion passed by voice vote. The commission will forward the recommendation to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
The commission’s packet lists the public notice date and that 31 letters were mailed to adjacent property owners; staff said no written objections were received during the formal comment window. Monitoring information from state agencies will be available later in 2026 and could inform future permitting for any development that follows the rezoning.
The planning commission’s recommendation is advisory; the Cook County Board of Commissioners will consider the rezoning at a subsequent meeting.
