Lake of the Woods County Board of Adjustment/Planning Commission Meeting
7:00 P.M. on July 2, 2025
Ken Horntvedt opened the meeting at 7:00 pm with the following members present: Tim Nordlof, Tom Mio, Marshall Nelson, Ken Horntvedt, Nancy Dunnell, Wes Johnson and Dave Marhula. Others present were Land and Water Planning Director Josh Stromlund. Absent was Marshall Nelson.
Introductions of Board of Adjustments/Planning Commission members took place.
Approval of the Agenda: Mio/ Marhula. All in favor.
Approval of Meeting Minutes: June 4, 2025 – Motion to approve – Marhula/Johnson. All in favor.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None.
Planning Commission – New Business
– Consideration of Conditional Use Permit #25-02CU by YBMC, LLC: The East 165 feet of the West 198 feet of Government Lot 3, Section Twenty-five (25), Township One Hundred Sixty-eight (168) North, Range Thiry-four (34) West (Angle), Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota, except the South 290 feet thereof – Parcel ID# 02.25.24.020. Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 1105 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to allow a residential planned unit development consisting of up to six (6) multi-unit storage buildings in a non-shoreland Commercial-Recreation Zoning District (CR).
Gregg Hennum was in attendance to discuss the request and answer questions from the board. The board discussed the information in the application. The board then moved on to the findings of fact.
Name of Applicant: YBMC, LLC Date: July 2, 2025
Location/Legal Description: The East 165 feet of the West 198 feet of Government Lot 3, Section Twenty-five (25), Township One Hundred Sixty-eight (168) North, Range Thiry-four (34) West (Angle), Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota, except the South 290 feet thereof. Parcel Number: 02.25.24.020
Project Proposal: Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 1105 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to allow a residential planned unit development consisting of up to six (6) multi-unit storage buildings in a non-shoreland Commercial-Recreation Zoning District (CR).
- Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Recreational area.
- Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Is the project proposal consistent with the goal of preventing and controlling water pollution, including sedimentation and nutrient loading? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Will the project proposal not adversely affect the site’s existing topography, drainage features, and vegetative cover? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the project proposal’s site location reasonable in relation to any floodplain and/or floodway of rivers or tributaries? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Has the erosion potential of the site based upon the degree and direction of slope, soil type and existing vegetative cover been adequately addressed for the project proposal? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access roads? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Young’s Bay Drive.
- Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Recreational area.
- Does the project proposal have a reasonable need to be in a shoreland location?
YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Is the amount of liquid waste to be generated reasonable and the proposed sewage disposal system adequate to accommodate the project proposal? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? 2 1000 gal holding tanks
- Will the visibility of structures and other facilities as viewed from public waters comply with Section 901 of the Zoning Ordinance? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the site adequate for water supply and on-site sewage treatment systems? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? To be designed based on flow.
- Are the affected public waters suited to and able to safely accommodate the types, uses, and numbers of watercraft that the project proposal will generate? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- If the project proposal includes above ground or below ground storage tanks for petroleum or other hazardous material that is subject to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requirements, has a permit been sought? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Will there be fencing and/or other screening provided to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? 1 sign 6’x8’
- If the project proposal will generate additional traffic to or from the site, has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the additional traffic and parking is to be addressed? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? On site parking.
The specific conditions of approval are as follows:
1. No habitation is allowed.
2. If applicable, a stormwater permit will be required.
3. No overnight parking or use of the units is allowed.
4. No outside storage is allowed.
5. Certificate of Septic Compliance to be obtained by 10-31-25.
The Lake of the Woods County Planning Commission hereby recommends to the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners that this proposal be:
Approved as Presented ( ) Approved with Conditions (X) Denied ( )
July 2, 2025 _____________________________________ Date Ken Horntvedt, Chair, Planning Commission
This is in accordance with the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance
Motion to approve with conditions by Marhula, seconded by Johnson. All in favor.
– Consideration of Conditional Use Permit #25-03CU by GWE, LLC: The East half, of the East half, of the Northwest quarter, of the Northeast quarter (E½E½NW¼NE¼) in Section Twenty-seven (27), Township One-hundred sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West – Parcel ID# 19.27.12.010. Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 1105 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to allow a residential planned unit development consisting of up to six (6) multi-unit storage buildings in a non-shoreland Rural Residential Zoning District (R2).
Gregg Hennum was in attendance to discuss the request and answer questions from the board. As the Board recognized this application as nearly identical to the last one, they moved right on to the findings of fact.
Name of Applicant: GWE, LLC Date: July 2, 2025
Location/Legal Description: The East half, of the East half, of the Northwest quarter, of the Northeast quarter (E½E½NW¼NE¼) in Section Twenty-seven (27), Township One-hundred sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West. Parcel Number: 19.27.12.010
Project Proposal: Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 1105 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to allow a residential planned unit development consisting of up to six (6) multi-unit storage buildings in a non-shoreland Rural Residential Zoning District (R2).
- Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Recreational area.
- Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare?
YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Is the project proposal consistent with the goal of preventing and controlling water pollution, including sedimentation and nutrient loading? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Will the project proposal not adversely affect the site’s existing topography, drainage features, and vegetative cover? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the project proposal’s site location reasonable in relation to any floodplain and/or floodway of rivers or tributaries? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Has the erosion potential of the site based upon the degree and direction of slope, soil type and existing vegetative cover been adequately addressed for the project proposal? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access roads? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? County Road 8.
- Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Recreational area.
- Does the project proposal have a reasonable need to be in a shoreland location?
YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Is the amount of liquid waste to be generated reasonable and the proposed sewage disposal system adequate to accommodate the project proposal? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? 2 1000 gallon holding tanks.
- Will the visibility of structures and other facilities as viewed from public waters comply with Section 901 of the Zoning Ordinance? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the site adequate for water supply and on-site sewage treatment systems? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not?
- Are the affected public waters suited to and able to safely accommodate the types, uses, and numbers of watercraft that the project proposal will generate? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- If the project proposal includes above ground or below ground storage tanks for petroleum or other hazardous material that is subject to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requirements, has a permit been sought? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Will there be fencing and/or other screening provided to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? 1 6’x8’ sign.
- If the project proposal will generate additional traffic to or from the site, has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the additional traffic and parking is to be addressed? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? On site parking.
The specific conditions of approval are as follows:
- No habitation is allowed.
- If applicable, a stormwater permit will be required.
- No overnight parking or use of the units is allowed.
- No outside storage is allowed.
- Certificate of Septic Compliance to be obtained by 10-31-25.
The Lake of the Woods County Planning Commission hereby recommends to the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners that this proposal be:
Approved as Presented ( ) Approved with Conditions (X) Denied ( )
July 2, 2025 _____________________________________ Date Ken Horntvedt, Chair, Planning Commission
This is in accordance with the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance
Motion to approve with conditions by Mio, seconded by Dunnell. All in favor.
– Consideration of Final Plat of Youngs Bay Mancaves by YBMC, LLC: The East 165 feet of the West 198 feet of Government Lot 3, Section Twenty-five (25), Township One Hundred Sixty-eight (168) North, Range Thirty-four (34) West (Angle), Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota, except the South 290 feet thereof – Parcel ID# 02.25.24.020. Applicant is requesting to create a residential planned unit development consisting of twelve (12) storage units.
Gregg Hennum remained in attendance to discuss the request and answer questions from the board. The board discussed the information in the application. The board reviewed comments and recommendations from the County Surveyor, County Recorder, County Attorney as well as Land and Water Planning.
Marhula made a motion to approve the Final Plat, seconded by Mio. All in favor.
– Consideration of Final Plat Baudette Mancaves by GWE, LLC: The East half, of the East half, of the Northwest quarter, of the Northeast quarter (E½E½NW¼NE¼) in Section Twenty seven (27), Township One-hundred sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West – Parcel ID# 19.27.12.010. Applicant is requesting to create a residential planned unit development consisting of twelve (12) storage units.
Gregg Hennum remained in attendance to discuss the request and answer questions from the board. The board discussed the information in the application. The board reviewed comments and recommendations from the County Surveyor, County Recorder, County Attorney as well as Land and Water Planning.
Mio made a motion to approve the Final Plat, seconded by Johnson. All in favor.
– Consideration of Interim Use Permit #25-06IU by R&E LOW, LLC: Government Lot 5 and the East ½ of the Southeast ¼ (E½SE¼), Section Nine (9), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West (Zippel) – Parcel ID#18.09.14.010. Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit as required by Section 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Rural Residential Zoning District (R2).
Milo and Bryce Ravndalen were in attendance to discuss the request and answer questions from the board. The board discussed the information in the application. Discussion regarding altered window locations and ensuring egress was available in all sleeping rooms was confirmed by Bryce. There was no correspondence and nobody in the audience wished to speak. The board then moved on to the findings of fact.
Name of Applicant: R&E LOW, LOC Application Number: 25-06IU Date: July 2, 2025
Location/Legal Description: Government Lot 5 and the East ½ of the Southeast ¼ (E½SE¼), Section Nine (9), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West
Parcel Number: 18.09.14.010
Project Proposal: Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit, as required by Sections 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance, to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Rural Residential (R2) Zoning District.
- Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Vacation and recreational area.
- Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare? This includes the following items:
- Safe drinking water or other approved alternatives • Smoke/carbon monoxide alarms
- Compliant septic system and sized accordingly • Fire extinguisher(s)
- Emergency contact list of numbers • Egress windows
- Evacuation plan and fire safety protocols
YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Per application.
- Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Recreational.
- Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access to the property? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Wildwood Drive.
- Will the project proposal increase traffic to and from the site? If so, has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the increased traffic is to be addressed? YES ( ) NO (X) N/A ( ) Why or why not? No change.
- Has the applicant adequately addressed how parking is to be addressed on the property? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Plenty of parking on site.
- Is fencing and/or screening needed to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties? YES ( ) NO (X) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Nothing needed.
- If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- What is the maximum number of occupants and is this reasonable for the project proposal’s location? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? 12 per application.
- Are the proposed periods of use and operation reasonable in relation to the project proposal’s location? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Per application.
- Are the quiet hours reasonable in relation to the project proposal’s location? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Per application.
The specific conditions of approval are as follows (Check all that are applicable to this request): The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the
X
Property, whichever occurs first.
X The septic system is sized for the maximum occupancy identified in the application.
X The maximum occupancy is limited to the identified number in the application.
X The established quiet hours are as identified in the application.
X A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
X No on street parking is allowed.
X If applicable, applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.
Additional Conditions are as follows:
The Lake of the Woods County Planning Commission hereby recommends to the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners that this proposal be:
Approved as Presented ( ) Approved with Conditions (X) Denied ( )
July 2, 2025 _____________________________________ Date Ken Horntvedt, Chair, Planning Commission
This is in accordance with the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance
Motion to approve with conditions by Marhula, seconded by Nordlof. All in favor.
– Consideration of Conditional Use Permit #25-04CU by Gregory and Steven Grandgeorge: The North half of the North Half of the South Half (N½N½S½) of Government Lot Three (3), Section Two (2), Township One Hundred Sixty-seven (167) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West (Angle) – Parcel ID#06.02.14.010. Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 902 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to move more than ten (10) cubic yards of material within the shore impact zone of Lake of the Woods for the purpose of shoreline stabilization due to the 2022 high water event. Lake of the Woods is a General Development Lake.
Gregory Grandgeorge was in attendance to discuss the request and answer questions from the board. The board discussed the information in the application. The board then moved on to the findings of fact.
Name of Applicant: Gregory and Steven Grandgeorge Date: July 2, 2025
Location/Legal Description: The North half of the North Half of the South Half (N½N½S½) of Government Lot Three (3), Section Two (2), Township One Hundred Sixty-seven (167) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West
Parcel Number: 06.02.14.010
Project Proposal: Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 902 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to move more than ten (10) cubic yards of material within the shore impact zone of Lake of the Woods for the purpose of shoreline stabilization due to the 2022 high water event. Lake of the Woods is a General Development Lake.
- Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? Shoreline stabilization.
- Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- Is the project proposal consistent with the goal of preventing and controlling water pollution, including sedimentation and nutrient loading? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Shoreline stabilization.
- Will the project proposal not adversely affect the site’s existing topography, drainage features, and vegetative cover? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the project proposal’s site location reasonable in relation to any floodplain and/or floodway of rivers or tributaries? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? LOW shoreline.
- Has the erosion potential of the site based upon the degree and direction of slope, soil type and existing vegetative cover been adequately addressed for the project proposal? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access roads? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) Why or why not? Shoreline.
- Does the project proposal have a reasonable need to be in a shoreland location?
YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )
Why or why not? L.O.W shoreline.
- Is the amount of liquid waste to be generated reasonable and the proposed sewage disposal system adequate to accommodate the project proposal? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Will the visibility of structures and other facilities as viewed from public waters comply with Section 901 of the Zoning Ordinance? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Is the site adequate for water supply and on-site sewage treatment systems? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Are the affected public waters suited to and able to safely accommodate the types, uses, and numbers of watercraft that the project proposal will generate? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- If the project proposal includes above ground or below ground storage tanks for petroleum or other hazardous material that is subject to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requirements, has a permit been sought? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- Will there be fencing and/or other screening provided to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)
Why or why not?
- If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
- If the project proposal will generate additional traffic to or from the site, has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the additional traffic and parking is to be addressed? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) Why or why not?
The specific conditions of approval are as follows:
1. Follow DNR specifications for shoreline.
The Lake of the Woods County Planning Commission hereby recommends to the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners that this proposal be:
Approved as Presented ( ) Approved with Conditions (X) Denied ( )
July 2, 2025 _____________________________________ Date Ken Horntvedt, Chair, Planning Commission
This is in accordance with the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance
Motion to approve with conditions by Mio, seconded by Johnson. All in favor.
– Consideration of Conditional Use Permit #25-05CU by Buell Consulting, Inc. on behalf of Lake Area Construction, Inc.: The Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (SE¼SW¼SW¼), Section Twenty (20), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West (Wheeler) – Parcel ID#19.20.31.000. Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 401-C of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance, to operate a commercial communications tower in a Rural Residential District (R2).
Ken noted that there was an email sent by Buell Consulting asking to delay the Buell Consulting application 25- 05CU to a future date.
Marhula motioned to table application 25-05CU, seconded by Dunnell. All in favor
With no further business before the Planning Commission, Dunnell made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Nordlof. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.
