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Stearns County planning panel approves seven‑lot 'Clonoper Estates' plat with stormwater and septic conditions
Summary
The Stearns County Planning Commission approved a seven‑lot subdivision called Clonoper Estates on a 74.74‑acre parcel, attaching conditions including a required approved stormwater plan, septic and wetland setbacks, a 1.23‑acre equivalent land restriction, and a $6,000 park dedication fee. The plat will go to the county board on April 7.
The Stearns County Planning Commission on March 26 approved a seven‑lot plat titled Clonoper Estates, submitted by the Marian Copener Revocable Trust of Clearwater, Minnesota, with conditions addressing stormwater, septic sites and wetlands.
Chair Dave Benford opened the hearing and staff environmental services analyst Jennifer Buckantine told commissioners the 74.74‑acre parcel is bisected by Plum Creek, which was previously listed as impaired for bacterial contamination but has been delisted after local conservation efforts. Buckantine said the plat shows one existing building site (Lot 3), identified septic primary and alternate sites for every lot, and that five lots show evidence of a shallow groundwater table requiring a bottom‑floor elevation restriction. "Plum Creek was actually listed as impaired for bacteria contamination years ago and ... is now been delisted," Buckantine said, noting a notice in the subdivision agreement encouraging future owners to protect water quality.
Staff outlined required technical items before final recording: a declaration of restriction protecting septic/treatment areas; compliance with wetland setbacks (25 ft or 50 ft depending on feature); an approved stormwater management plan and financial guarantee; a restriction transferring 1.23 acres from Lot 4 in favor of Lot 1 so all lots meet district minimums; and a park dedication fee of $1,000 per new lot (total $6,000). Buckantine recommended adding an explicit condition requiring an approved stormwater plan prior to final plat recording.
Applicant Sam Dio (13 11th Avenue North, St. Cloud) said he had no objections to staff conditions. There was no public testimony submitted. The commission closed the public hearing, discussed the clarification about stormwater, and approved the plat by roll‑call vote. Benford said the matter will be forwarded to the Stearns County Board on April 7 for final action.
The commission's approval includes the staff conditions described above; the planning packet also references prior platting‑committee recommendations and Lynen Township approval. The permit and recorded documents will include the restriction language protecting septic areas and the obligation that stormwater controls be installed and maintained by individual lot owners.
