Sherburne County planning staff outline zoning rewrites, ADUs and lot-size changes to spur housing
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Summary
County planning and zoning staff told the EDA their partnership has produced ordinance rewrites, a one-month reduction in standard-plat processing, proposed minimum-lot-size reductions (from 2.5 to 1.5 acres under discussion), an ADU ordinance and a shoreland zoning refresh intended to make redevelopment easier in lakefront areas.
Sherburne County planning and zoning staff presented a year-in-review to the EDA, emphasizing collaboration that led to ordinance work, a shortened standard-plat timeline and several zoning changes intended to expand housing options.
County staff said a partnership with the EDA funded an ordinance rewrite and other technical assistance, allowing the county to eliminate a step in the standard-plat process that previously delayed road construction by a month. "By doing that, we really did take out, you know, one step to this whole process," a county official said, adding that the change let a developer get roads in last November rather than waiting into winter.
Staff described accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinances they initiated to offer more housing choices and said they are discussing a reduction in minimum lot sizes for rural areas from 2.5 acres to 1.5 acres, an idea the county is taking to townships while acknowledging some pushback.
The county also plans a shoreland residential zoning district that would extend roughly 1,000 feet from developed lakes to create a more flexible redevelopment path for small, nonconforming lakeshore lots. Staff said they intend to bring a draft subdivision and ordinance rewrite to public hearing in May with adoption tentatively scheduled for June.
On permit trends, staff reported a significant year-over-year drop in building permits (the presentation cited an approximate 59% decline) and said revenue pressure on their 0-levy office makes internal efficiencies important. Commercial permits have increased in some categories, including mini-storage and renewable-energy projects, while solar farms in the 1–5 megawatt range are spreading to more rural areas outside prior corridors.
County staff urged continued EDA partnership and said they would return with ordinance and subdivision materials for the public hearing schedule.