Planning commissioners decline to recommend KP Homes’ bid to expand mental-health home amid neighbor safety complaints

The Morrison County Planning Commission voted not to recommend approval of KP Homes LLC’s request to expand a licensed residential treatment center from six to 10 beds, after neighbors described multiple safety incidents and commissioners weighed conditions including a privacy fence and a sunset tied to ownership.

Staff member Amy Waltz told the commission the 5.23-acre property in Pike Creek Township has operated as a six-bed adult residential treatment center since 2022 and that state Health and Human Services licensing would be required for any expansion beyond six beds. The applicant said expanding to 10 beds would allow staffing of two staff per shift; the applicant estimated “at least six more staff” would be hired.

The application prompted lengthy public comment from immediate neighbors. Lucas Young Bloom, who lives directly across the road, said he had observed clients “yelling, screaming, profanities” and that an incident prompted him to call police; he asked the commission not to allow the facility to expand to 10 beds. Neighbor Carrie Vote said she has seen late‑night yelling, witnessed multiple police responses, and described a separate incident she said involved a man with a knife approaching her child; she told commissioners, “I would please do not allow it to go to 10.”

The applicants acknowledged incidents and defended the program’s goals. A representative said they seek to stabilize people so they can re-enter the community and offered to tighten on‑site limits — for example restricting how far clients can go on the property and increasing supervision when people are outside. “Mentally ill people need a place to be, too,” the applicant said while noting staff would try to limit contact with neighbors.

Commissioners discussed operational controls including a perimeter privacy fence, restricting hours when clients may be outside, and septic permitting requirements to address wastewater concerns. The applicant and staff said septic sizing and "waste strength" (potential changes in wastewater depending on medication and cleaning protocols) would be evaluated during permitting and may require upgrades.

After proceeding through the ordinance criteria, the commission did not reach consensus in support of the request. A motion to recommend approval failed; as a result the application will be forwarded to the Morrison County Board of Commissioners without a planning commission recommendation and will be scheduled for the board’s May 5, 2026 meeting.

The commission recorded the recommended conditions discussed — a perimeter privacy fence and a sunset tied to change of ownership or licensing status — but commissioners noted the county board is the authority that will set final conditions if it chooses to act. The applicants and neighbors were told the county board will take up the matter at its next regular meeting.