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Board approves land-use map change over township objection after debate on precedent and access
Summary
The board approved changing one parcel in St. Mathias Township from agricultural/forestry to rural residential-5 (33.9 acres). Township supervisors and a local representative opposed the change, preferring 10-acre lots; the board debated whether the township had timely input before approving 4–1.
County staff presented a land-use map amendment request to reclassify a 33.9-acre parcel in the NW¼ of NE¼ of Section 3, St. Mathias Township, from agricultural/forestry to rural residential-5 (R-5). Several commissioners relayed that St. Mathias Township supervisors had called to oppose the change and would prefer rural residential-10 (R-10) to preserve a more rural character. Staff said the township had not attended the developer review team meeting and had not submitted written comments prior to the planning commission hearing.
Mark Balnowski, speaking as a St. Mathias Township representative, said much of the parcel is swamp and that 5-acre lots would be hard to develop, would rely on township roads, and could set an unwanted pattern. "We've never liked a 5 acre situation in that situation," Balnowski said, asking the board to consider 10-acre lots instead. The board debated DRT notice timing, the legal principle that each land-use application stands on its own merits, and what findings would support denial if the board chose that route. A motion to deny the amendment failed; a subsequent motion to approve passed with a 4–1 vote.
