Pine County board adopts ordinance adding Willow River to county zoning

The Pine County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-27 amending the county zoning ordinance and official map to include the City of Willow River, County Administrator Kelly Schroeder told commissioners at the board's regular meeting.

Schroeder said Willow River followed the county's opt-in process: the city passed a resolution requesting county zoning coverage and submitted a proposed zoning map identifying primarily rural residential and commercial zones, plus required shoreland and scenic-river provisions. Schroeder said the county will execute shoreland and scenic-river responsibilities on the city's behalf under a memorandum of understanding and asked the board to authorize the chair, county administrator and county attorney to sign the MOU.

After the presentation the board opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. Commissioner Waldem moved to adopt the ordinance and Commissioner Nelson seconded. The motion carried on roll call and the board authorized execution of the memorandum of understanding.

The ordinance makes the county's zoning rules apply within the areas Willow River asked to be covered, and county staff said the proposed map uses two primary districts for the city. Schroeder characterized the change as consistent with the county's prior opt-in practice for small cities and townships that lack capacity to administer zoning on their own.

The board recorded the formal adoption and authorization to sign the memorandum of understanding; no amendments were made during the meeting. The board will publish the ordinance as required by county procedure and proceed with implementing the zoning map as described by staff.