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Planning Commission backs rezoning for Day lakeshore lot, recommends County Board approval
Summary
The Wright County Planning Commission voted 4–1 on Feb. 12 to recommend rezoning a lakeshore parcel at 5511 20th St. NE from General Agriculture to Agricultural/Residential with a shoreland overlay, allowing a building site for the applicant’s daughter; Township support and a site inspection informed the decision.
The Wright County Planning Commission voted 4–1 on Feb. 12 to recommend that the County Board rezone a Buffalo Township property at 5511 20th St. NE from General Agriculture with a Residential-Recreational Shorelands (S-2) overlay to Agricultural/Residential with S-2, clearing the way for a separate lakeshore building site for the applicant’s daughter.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Barry Rhineberger told commissioners the matter had been continued for a site inspection and that staff found the current concept plan meets minimum frontage requirements. Township officials indicated willingness to provide or assume jurisdiction over a 14-foot roadway needed for required road frontage, which the applicant confirmed. Commissioner Dan Bravinder said that longstanding Township support and the applicant’s prior investments weighed in favor of approval.
Commissioners pressed for details about road width, emergency access and the effect of converting cropland to residential use. Applicant Colleen Day and her daughter, Madison Day, said the plan preserves much of the property in the Green Acres program and intends to retain farm and pasture uses; Madison Day noted the lake is “a very popular recreational lake,” and the proposed home site would use existing topography and trails down to the shoreline.
Commissioner Pat Mahlberg cautioned that rezoning standards emphasize parcels that are especially suited for riparian residential use, not family circumstances alone, but ultimately the Commission found the parcel aligned with the Northeast Quadrant Land Use Plan and with Township approval. The motion recommending approval to the County Board passed 4–1 (Aye: Bravinder, Beise, Wilson, Mol; Nay: Mahlberg).
The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final action will be taken by the Wright County Board of Commissioners at a later meeting. The Planning and Zoning staff record and site-inspection notes will be forwarded with the recommendation.
