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Cass County approves reclassification allowing landscaping business in Sylvan Township with split‑parcel condition
Summary
The board approved a zoning reclassification for parcel PID 41-213-2205 from Shoreland Residential to Sylvan Commercial for a landscaping business, following a 6–1 Planning Commission recommendation and notification to 52 nearby property owners; the board added a condition restricting future parcel splits to maintain residential zoning where allowed.
The Cass County Board on April 21 approved a zoning reclassification requested by Mark Kossan for parcel PID 41-213-2205 in Sylvan Township, changing the designation from Shoreland Residential to Sylvan Commercial.
Administrator Josh Stevenson said the Cass County Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 13 and recommended approval 6–1. County Planner Scott Wold told the board that 52 property owners within a half‑mile were notified and that the township submitted a letter of support while staff received three letters of opposition. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk explained the proposal is for a landscaping business rather than a retail storefront and told the board that "if the Board does not approve the request, the business will be forced to relocate." Gaalswyk moved to approve the reclassification and added language that any future parcel split must keep the other parcels zoned residential to the extent allowed by law; the board unanimously approved the amended motion.
The reclassification includes adopted findings and places a policy constraint on future splits to preserve residential zoning around the parcel. Enforcement and any subsequent land‑use applications remain subject to county planning processes and Sylvan Township oversight.
