Planning Commission recommends rezoning of DesMarais property near Montrose over two dissenting votes

The Wright County Planning Commission voted 3–2 on May 7 to recommend that the County Board rezone a Marysville Township parcel owned by Joseph DesMarais from General Agriculture (AG) to Suburban Residential-a (R-2a), a change the applicant said would allow an additional dwelling on land he described as "marginal at best."

Committee member Charlie Borrell said after a site inspection he believed the request "fits the area and the Plan well," noting that the parcel's soils are poor and that the rezoning aligns with the US Highway 12 Corridor Land Use Plan. Committee member Jeanne Holland joined Borrell in support.

Randy Wilson and Troy Beise opposed the recommendation. Wilson argued that the Land Use Plan designates agricultural land to "remain in agricultural use over the long term" and said the parcel is not logically adjacent to Montrose for annexation, calling the proposed rezoning a poor precedent. Beise voiced similar concerns about setting a precedent in a primarily agricultural area.

Planning staff Scott Deckert told the Commission the request was continued from April 16 to allow a site inspection and that the property currently qualifies as a Lot of Record; if rezoned to R-2a the owner could pursue an unplatted two-lot subdivision. The applicant, Joseph DesMarais, told the Commission he had owned the property for 46 years and viewed it as a transition area between Montrose and agriculture.

Borrell moved to recommend approval "because the rezoning is aligned with the goals and policies of the US Hwy 12 Corridor Land Use Plan," a motion seconded by Holland that passed 3–2. The Commission recorded the AYE votes from Holland, Borrell and Vice-Chairman Dan Bravinder; Wilson and Beise voted NAY.

The recommendation is advisory; the Wright County Board of Commissioners will consider the rezoning at a future meeting and may accept, modify, or reject the Planning Commission’s recommendation.