Planning commission approves home‑business permit for electrician in rural residential area

The Crow Wing County Planning Commission on June 18 approved a conditional use permit allowing Nathan and Amber Swenson to operate an electrician business with employees from their home at 16212 Mile Circle, just north of Brainerd.

Staff presented the application for parcel 99260643 and said the request includes a home‑business CUP and a separate after‑the‑fact variance for an accessory structure. Planner Chris summarized public input: "We did receive a total of 11 comments. 10 of them had some concerns," citing neighbors’ worries about screening, additional traffic and impervious coverage. Nathan Swenson told commissioners the business is family run and that deliveries have been limited: "Our deliveries now are from 10AM to 4PM only." The applicant also said most employees take company vehicles home rather than parking on site.

Commissioners focused on screening between the business area and adjacent roads and properties. Board members discussed options including plantings, fencing or a berm and agreed to add a screening condition on the west side of the parcel. The board also pressed the applicants about delivery timing and truck sizes; commissioners asked staff to include enforceable conditions about screening and implementation details in the CUP.

A motion to approve the conditional use permit, as amended with additional screening conditions and implementation language, passed on a voice vote. The commission directed staff to include specific screening requirements and to work with the applicants on implementation before the decision is transmitted to the County Board where required.