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Board approves 18,000‑gallon holding tank for Boozhoo Coffee; neighbors raise environmental worries
Summary
Chisago County approved a Variance (2‑1) allowing an 18,000‑gallon holding tank to serve a new Boozhoo Coffee & Café at 2340 Stark Road in Fish Lake Township after the applicant argued soil testing showed no viable drainfield; neighbors raised runoff and property‑encroachment concerns.
The Chisago County Board of Adjustment & Appeals granted a Variance on June 25 permitting an 18,000‑gallon holding tank to serve a new food and beverage establishment at 2340 Stark Road / CSAH 10 (PID 03.00385.00) in Fish Lake Township. The decision passed 2‑1 (Ayes: Gregg Carlson and Doug Greene; Nay: John Sutcliffe).
Beth Gervais, Land Services Coordinator, told the Board that County SSTS rules generally bar holding tanks for new commercial food and lodging uses, quoting Section 7.04.C: "In no case shall holding tanks be allowed for new food, beverage, lodging facilities, and other establishments." The applicant, represented by Shane Steinbrecher and Joe Beaulieu, said extensive on‑site testing showed very low soil percolation and that a drainfield/dispersal bed would likely fail. Steinbrecher presented an 18,000‑gallon buried, traffic‑rated two‑piece tank design, alarms at 50/75/95% capacity, and a proposed operating permit with quarterly metering and reporting.
County staff identified operational and logistical concerns: typical septic trucks hold 1,000–5,000 gallons, meaning servicing an 18,000‑gallon tank would require multiple hauls, and "At full capacity (daily flow of 2,940 GPD), the holding tank would need to be pumped every six days," staff warned. Neighbors Patrick and Tom Lofboom testified about runoff, wetland impacts, and alleged that construction materials had been deposited on their property; the Board said property‑owner disputes were outside their remit but acknowledged the environmental questions.
The Board approved Resolution No. BOAA2026‑0602 with conditions requiring a fully executed Operating Permit to be filed with the Chisago County Recorder's Office, alarms at specified capacities, and that all applicable permits be obtained prior to installation. The motion was moved by Chair Gregg Carlson and seconded by Doug Greene; Sutcliffe dissented.
