Resident opposition, buffer conditions as commission backs commercial rezoning for Long Lake storage facility

The Crow Wing County Planning Commission voted to recommend a land-use map amendment and to approve a conditional-use permit for New Wave Property Management LLC’s commercial storage operation at a parcel listed in the staff packet as 77190503 at 13128 Mission Park Drive in Mission Township.

At the public hearing, resident Ruth Ann Holocheck said the area has changed dramatically since she began visiting as a child and that she opposed further conversion to storage units and large houses. "I don't want to live in an industrial area," she said, urging the board to consider neighborhood character and existing tree buffers. Nicolette, the staff reader, told the commission the township recommended approval. Applicant Jason Lidke responded that "the request is simply, to update the CUP... we're not changing anything about the footprint whatsoever," and that the planned commercial footprint would be limited to rigging and service for boats.

Board members discussed technical items before voting. One member noted the site is "at almost 33%" impervious surface while the cap is 35%, observing that current operations appear to match existing development. The commission proposed and adopted conditions to explicitly allow outdoor storage as part of the new CUP, to nullify the 2003 CUP on approval, and to maintain or improve the roadside buffer of trees. The commission approved the land-use map amendment to Commercial and then approved the conditional-use permit; staff will forward the map amendment recommendation to the County Board for final action on Oct. 14 at 09:00.

The commission recorded the motions and carried both votes. The applicant acknowledged the conditions and said he will work with neighbors on tree choices for the buffer. No online public testimony was recorded.