Board conditions garage variance on stormwater plan after runoff and utility concerns

The Morrison County board attached a stormwater plan requirement when it approved a variance to allow a 32-by-40 detached garage closer to a platted road right of way.

Board members raised concerns about runoff from the proposed garage site on a slope to the lake and suggested the stormwater plan be approved by Land Services rather than relying solely on gutters. "I'd probably put a condition that you'd gutter it," said board member Clint Dye during the site discussion. Another member cautioned that gutters can clog with leaves and recommended a formal stormwater plan review by county staff so that appropriate erosion-control measures would be required.

Utility safety was also discussed: a board member noted the building edge would come close to an overhead power line. Applicant Brad Horbel said he had discussed the situation with the electrical co-op and planned to relocate the meters to a pole and run an underground feed to eliminate aerial service. The board’s stormwater requirement was explicitly recorded as a condition of the variance approval and must be approved before permit issuance, according to staff instructions at the meeting.