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Morrison County amends interim‑use permit to clear path for Ascension Recovery facility’s state licensing
Summary
After more than an hour of public testimony and commissioner questions, the Morrison County Board voted 4–1 to change conditions on an interim use permit for a planned residential treatment facility, adopting annual reporting and incident‑reporting requirements while tying permit termination to ownership changes.
The Morrison County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 on July 14 to approve revised conditions for the interim use permit covering the Long Prairie Project Associates property that Ascension Recovery Services plans to operate as a licensed residential treatment facility.
The amendment requires that the facility executive director or the CEO of Ascension provide an annual update to the county by Jan. 30, and that the same executive report any critical incidents to Land Services within 30 days. The board also rewrote the owner‑trigger clause so the permit will terminate if Long Prairie Project Associates is no longer the majority owner of the facility. Commissioners left in a requirement that the property comply with local, state and federal law for licensed treatment facilities.
The matter drew extended discussion. County staff and land‑use counsel framed the vote narrowly as a review of three condition changes on an existing interim use permit rather than a reexamination of the project. Land Services Director Amy Kowalczyk said the planning commission had not recommended approval of the amendment but brought the request to the board for final action.
Facility representatives told the board the property is constructed and ready for operation once state licensure is granted. Doug Leach, founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services, said the company has invested millions in the site and that licensure delays at the state level have stalled openings elsewhere; he told commissioners the facility is ready to open when the Department of Human Services completes its review. Leach offered to make himself and his executive team available to meet with neighbors and county staff.
Local clinicians and program staff also spoke in favor. Bill Coleman, identified as the clinical services lead, described prescreening procedures that he said would exclude individuals with histories of violence or court‑ordered commitments.
Several commissioners pressed for safeguards. Commissioner Winter, who voted against the amendment, argued that removing person‑specific language risks losing the board’s continuity of oversight and could allow a minor ownership interest to keep the permit active indefinitely. Others sought an annual check‑in and a clear owner‑change trigger so future boards would have the opportunity to reevaluate the permit if control changes.
The board adopted replacement language that drew broad support from members who emphasized balancing neighborhood concerns with the need for accessible local treatment. The final vote was 4 ayes, 1 nay; the meeting record lists Commissioner Wincher casting the lone dissent.
What happens next: County staff will publish the amended conditions and the facility will continue pursuing state licensure. County officials noted that licensing and any subsequent change of control at the state or ownership level could prompt renewed local review.
