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Large CUP request by Sno-Baron's draws widespread public concern; hearing continued
Summary
Sno-Baron's requested a Conditional Use Permit for up to 15 annual events (plus Hay Days) on a ~149-acre site; applicants revised the application to cap festival attendance at 3,500. The Planning Commission continued the public hearing to Sept. 3 after extensive public comment on noise, traffic, emergency services, enforcement, and event scale.
The Planning Commission opened a detailed public hearing on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from Sno-Baron's Snowmobile Club, Inc. seeking authorization for Commercial Recreation Area uses on three parcels totaling about 148.9 acres. Beth Gervais summarized the application revisions: the applicants reduced the maximum festival attendance figure from 15,000 to 3,500 and clarified the requested number of annual events as 15. Staff said it had reservations about scale and detail, and both the Amador and Sunrise Town Boards recommended denial. The Chisago County Sheriff's Office recommended two conditions: an event-specific security plan approved by the Sheriff's Office and reimbursement for extraordinary law-enforcement costs when necessary.
More than a dozen residents and stakeholders testified. Concerns centered on traffic congestion, noise and amplified music, fireworks, volunteer fire-department capacity, enforcement of CUP conditions, and the footprint of Hay Days. Resident Rollin Erickson said a prior medical emergency was delayed getting care because of Hay Days traffic: "I had a medical emergency and, due to Hay Days traffic on all surrounding roadways, was delayed in getting to urgent care." Other residents raised reported attendance and revenue figures for Hay Days, questioned whether events beyond Hay Days had already been occurring without permits, and asked for specific prohibitions (for example, fireworks, shooting, and racing). Commissioners sought clarifications and asked the public and commissioners to forward written questions to staff for the applicants. The Commission voted to continue the public hearing to Sept. 3, 2026 and extend the review period by 60 days (motion by Chris DuBose; second by Eric Leivian).
