County approves conditional use permit for private watercraft landing near Hutchinson

The McLeod County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a conditional use permit (JP2614) requested by Theodore and Kelly Kallstrom to allow a private watercraft landing at 19928 Sue Hills Road, Hutchinson. Mark from Environmental Services told the board the applicants "would like to remove vegetation, clear trees... and fill more than 50 cubic yards of material for a private watercraft landing," and that the work "has already been done." The joint planning board recommended approval with conditions.

Mark said the Hutchinson Area Joint Planning Board approved the request July 15 and recommended three conditions: accept the applicant's screening and prairie restoration plan, replace 2 inches of the existing surface with suitable topsoil over the landing area, and complete the restoration by Nov. 15, 2026. He told commissioners the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources handles activities below the ordinary high water mark (OHW) and that "the DNR... are not supporting the landing area below the OHW," so the county's permit covers only landward work above OHW under Minnesota rule 6120 and county shoreline-management ordinances. A commissioner asked for clarity on township access permits and connectivity to any roadway; Mark said the access permit is separate and he had no record whether the township had granted that approval.

A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use permit; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The approved conditions require the specified screening and restoration work and identify the DNR as the authority for waterline-level jurisdiction. The county record will show the restoration deadline and the screening plan submitted with the applicant packet.