Rock Creek planners recommend Nature Shores Resort permit with 17 conditions after neighbor concerns

The Rock Creek Planning Commission voted Nov. 26 to recommend that the City Council approve CUP-24-003, a conditional-use permit for Nature Shores Resort, a seven–tiny-cabin lodging proposal on Nature Ave.

Chair Curt Kubesh moved the recommendation, seconded by Commissioner Oliver Rauschnot; the motion passed with all ayes and one abstention from Don Ramberg. Commissioner Josh Froelich had recused himself from the review because he is the applicant.

Neighbors who spoke during the public forum urged caution. Wayne Elliott said he did not want a business nearby, citing traffic, road damage from construction and higher taxes. Laura Gillette, who said she has 12 years in the military, said she was concerned about firearms competitions that previously took place on the property and the potential for increased trash to attract predators to her livestock. Jennifer Elliott, speaking for multiple neighbors, said the road "is no longer a peaceful road" and asked what would happen to the site if the owner stopped operating the resort.

Applicant Josh Froelich described the proposal as seven tiny cabins rather than a large campground and said he currently averages about 20 visitors per week, with busy weekends potentially reaching about 50 vehicles. He said he expects to avoid scheduling firearms events during peak resort months and described the resort as "his retirement plan," adding he has invested about $32,000 so far in wetland delineation and septic design. Froelich said he would pay for speed-limit and livestock signs if needed and proposed a condition requiring a welcome email telling guests to obey road signs.

The planning commission attached 17 conditions to its recommendation. Key conditions include submission of annual state licensing renewals and certificates of liability insurance, enforcement of quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., dust control, annual septic inspections with flow-rate logs, a required DNR review because the property is in the SL Shoreland Overlay District, a wetland delineation and replacement plan if impacts are proposed, surveyed civil plans showing access, setbacks and topography, a minimum 60-foot service-road right-of-way, off-service-road parking limited to two vehicles per site, and compliance with state rules for camps and lodging (Minn. Stat. ch. 4630 and ch. 4625) and Rock Creek Ordinance No. 77 (Campground/Resort Ordinance).

Commissioners discussed infrastructure concerns during deliberations. Chair Kubesh said state permission is required for speed-limit signs after a road traffic study; Oliver Rauschnot urged the City to consider more signage citywide. Froelich noted that a culvert on his property had been doubled after spring flooding. Don Burger, who identified himself as having prior planning commission experience, said the conditional-use process exists so the city can attach enforceable requirements to a permitted use and said the applicant’s proposal "checks many of the 'boxes'" for compatibility if the required findings and conditions are made explicit.

The commission’s recommendation will go to the Rock Creek City Council for final action. The commission packet notes that required permits from state and other jurisdictions must be approved before any construction begins. The applicant offered to host property tours for neighbors and to include behavioral expectations for guests in a welcome communication.

Actions and next steps: the commission recommended CUP-24-003 to the City Council with conditions; the council will consider the recommendation and any permitting requirements and DNR comments that may follow.