Rock Creek Planning Commission backs adding "resorts" to campground rules, schedules another hearing on applicant's CUP

The Rock Creek Planning Commission on Oct. 21 recommended the City Council approve Text Amendment TA-24-002 to add "resorts" to the city's Campground/Resort Ordinance and reviewed a related conditional-use permit application (CUP-24-003).

The amendment, labeled Ordinance 77 in the meeting materials, spells out standards including a 20-acre minimum parcel size, a base minimum of 15 sites (with up to 15 additional sites for each additional 20 acres), a 3,000-square-foot minimum site area and 40-foot site width, a 60-foot reserved strip for a service road/right-of-way, water capacity of 100 gallons per site per day at 20 psi for the most remote fixture, on-site sewage sized at 100 gallons per campsite per day, and connections to municipal sewer where available. The ordinance text also references Minnesota Pollution Control Agency rules, Chapter 7080, and Minnesota State Building Code requirements for resort structures.

Commissioners noted a drafting error in Subd. 2 and instructed staff to change the wording so the text indicates a "maximum" of fifteen sites where appropriate. Dan Saumer moved and Oliver Rauschnot seconded the recommendation to forward TA-24-002 to the City Council with that correction; the motion passed with four ayes and one abstention (Josh Froelich abstained because of a conflict of interest).

The amendment discussion preceded a review of CUP-24-003, for which applicant and Commission member Josh Froelich recused himself and sat in the audience while presenting details. Froelich objected to a 60-foot road-width requirement and proposed that the resort use a one-way 24-foot internal road; Commission members clarified that the 60-foot figure operates as a clearance (30 feet from centerline to each side) rather than requiring a paved 60-foot road. Froelich said he would comply with building and health standards and described operational restrictions intended to limit impacts: he told the Commission that "traffic would be a wash" and that off-road vehicles such as four-wheelers and snowmobiles would be prohibited for insurance reasons. He also said the resort will not allow RVs and will provide tent-only campsites; as a result he said a dump station would not be required.

Neighbors Wayne and Jennifer Elliott had raised concerns in public forum, saying they did not receive notice of the earlier public hearing and that they do not want the road widened, paved or treated for dust, adding they want "to ensure their peace/travel/safety." Chair Curt Kubesh said that because many neighbors were not notified due to a clerical error, the Commission will hold another public hearing next month so the CUP can be reviewed again with proper notice.

The Commission also heard from Building Inspector Richard Drotning, referenced by the applicant regarding building-code compliance, and from at least one resident asking about wastewater disposal. Froelich said tiny-home resort buildings will be stick-built on slab and that at least one cabin will be ADA compliant.

Next steps: TA-24-002 will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration with the Subd. 2 wording correction; CUP-24-003 will return for another public hearing next month following proper notice to neighbors.