Morrison County denies expansion request for Pike Creek residential treatment program

Morrison County commissioners on May 5 voted to deny KP Homes’ request to expand a residential treatment program in Pike Creek Township from six to ten beds.

Planning Commission had recommended denial and the county presented that recommendation to the board. Commissioner Winter, speaking from his review of the planning record, said he would vote to deny and cited the planning board’s vetting. Commissioner Lemire told the board that neighbors raised safety concerns for their children, recounted incidents reported to the sheriff’s office in 2025, and said the applicant had not shown it could manage the existing six‑bed operation.

County staff confirmed this was an interim use permit (with a possible end date) and noted that the planning commission had discussed conditions such as full fencing but left no conditions attached with its denial recommendation. The board clarified that approving the motion on the floor would have authorized expansion; on roll call all commissioners voted against approval and the motion to approve therefore failed, with staff to adopt findings of fact supporting denial.

The board’s formal action was to approve the findings of fact that support denial of the interim use permit. Amy McKinley explained that the board would be approving findings stating the reasons for denial rather than granting the permit. The denial is final for this action and staff will prepare the appropriate documentation.