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Commission approves rezoning for Center Grove Township parcel with subdivision contingencies
Summary
The Dickinson County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve rezoning for parcels in Center Grove Township to allow a phased single-family subdivision, contingent on completing subdivision ordinance #103 requirements and per-lot percolation tests; neighbors raised privacy and environmental concerns.
The Dickinson County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request for parcels in Section 23, Center Grove Township, that the applicants intend to subdivide into single-family lots. Commissioners approved the rezoning with contingencies requiring completion of the county’s subdivision checklist under ordinance #103 and that a percolation test be completed for each lot before final plat approval.
The proposal, discussed May 18, 2026, involves parcels identified in the record as 0723300009, 0723300005 and 0723400001. Megan Kardell, Dickinson County zoning administrator, told the commission that the property is owned by Benjamin Macmillan and is being purchased by Jim and Becky Venteicher, and that the Board of Health had approved the plan ‘‘with conditions of a percolation test being done on each property.’’
Applicant Jim Venteicher told commissioners the plan is to develop the property in phases for single-family homes and that homeowners would be responsible for arranging percolation tests. Kardell presented soil maps and advised that the A-2 environmentally sensitive areas would not be available for construction or septic placement.
Neighbors spoke during public comment. Ruby Wittrock, a neighbor to the west of the site, expressed concerns about maintaining country-living privacy, potential impacts to wildlife habitat and threats to the natural landscape. Resident Lee Fernstrum questioned whether approving the rezoning would constitute spot zoning and asked whether the parcels could connect to the Sanitary District.
Commissioners pressed for engineering plans before final plat submittal; Commissioner Erica Schultes moved to approve the rezoning contingent on completion of subdivision ordinance #103 items and an amendment to parcel 0723300005 to exclude the south 1,320 feet. Commissioner David Besch seconded; the motion passed 6-0.
The commission advised the applicants to submit engineered grading and stormwater plans (including any required runoff controls) and to provide the neighborhood covenant for review. The conditional approval leaves engineering-level details and septic approvals to the subsequent preliminary and final plat processes handled by staff and outside reviewers.
