Morrison County planning commission does not recommend approval of Long Prairie Project Associates IUP amendment

The Morrison County Planning Commission on June 23, 2026 declined to recommend approval of an application by Long Prairie Project Associates LLC to amend an interim use permit for a proposed recovery facility at 1280 180th Street in Parker Township.

Commissioners and staff discussed proposed changes to two permit conditions, including whether a named individual should be replaced by a job title and whether a condition should include an end date tied to property ownership. Appointed Secretary Amy Kowalzek entered into the record Section 506.5 of the Morrison County Land Use Control Ordinance, an aerial photo, staff report highlights and stated that 21 notices had been sent to neighboring property owners; no written comments had been received before the hearing.

Applicants said construction is complete and furnishings are nearly finished and that they are in the licensing timeframe. Applicant representative Lance Muscara said the organization "would be open to amending the condition to allow for the facility to operate as long as the owner of the parcel is Long Prairie Project Associates LLC." Karen Olson, another representative, said Doug Leech is an owner and the CEO of Essentia Recovery Services and suggested the group could substitute the organization president for a named contact. Nick Mot said the facility expects six key staff positions after licensing and that an executive director would be hired once the license is approved.

County staff pressed for a durable contact and for language that ties any termination date to a clear event. "We would like a title and not a person's name," Amy Kowalzek said, asking that Land Services be notified when designated positions change.

Several nearby residents urged the commission to deny the amendment. Dean Robinson said the neighbors were not consulted and argued the facility is not appropriate "in the country." Jessie Evens said she has "always been a non-supporter" and noted she runs childcare in her home. DJ Robinson told the commission that "when [the] first approval stated there was never going to be detox on this property, there is now a detox facility here," a claim commissioners framed as a concern about current operations rather than the narrow question of amending permit conditions.

A motion by Regular Member Clint Kathrein, seconded by Regular Member Brent Lindgren, to recommend approval of the application failed; the minutes record that the motion "failed with all four members voting nay." The commission recorded that the application will be considered by the Morrison County Board of Commissioners at its July 14, 2026 meeting for final action.

The commission completed routine business by approving the June 9, 2026 minutes and adjourning at 6:47 p.m.