Sherburne County planners advance comprehensive zoning and subdivision code updates for County Board review

Sherburne County planning staff presented a multi‑year code update package on May 21 that would replace the county’s 1994 zoning and subdivision codes and adopt a revised official zoning map to implement the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Senior Planner Mitch Glines said the effort, led with consultant Bolton & Menk and an internal/external steering committee, was intended to modernize format and address implementation items from the comprehensive plan. Key changes in the draft Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance (proposed Ordinance No. 292) include creation of a Hamlet zoning district, a Shoreland Residential district, clarified performance standards (impervious surface rules and setbacks), updates to permitted uses, and improved platting and subdivision procedures (draft Subdivision Ordinance No. 297). The draft Official Zoning Map (proposed Ordinance No. 298) reflects the new districts.

Commissioners asked technical questions about impervious surface limits, township road setbacks and shoreland rule interactions; staff said additional refinements will be made and that the draft would return if substantive changes are proposed. The Planning Commission did not make a final adoption recommendation that night but asked staff to seek additional township and Board of Adjustment input before forwarding the package to the County Board.

Next steps: staff will incorporate feedback, hold additional reviews as needed, and bring any revised drafts back to the Planning Advisory Commission before the County Board considers rescinding the 1994 code and adopting the new ordinances.