Lake of the Woods County Board of Adjustment/Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 P.M. on

February 4, 2026 

Ken Horntvedt opened the meeting at 7:00 pm with the following members present: Tim Nordlof, Tom Mio, Ken Horntvedt, Dave Marhula, and Nancy Dunnell. Others present were  Land and Water Planning Director Josh Stromlund.  

Introductions of Board of Adjustments/Planning Commission members took place. Approval of the Agenda: Mio/Marhula. All in favor.  

Approval of Meeting Minutes: January 7, 2026 – Motion to approve – Marhula/Dunnell. All in favor.  

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None.  

Planning Commission – New Business 

– Consideration of Interim Use Permit #26-01IU by Woodsmen Properties, LLC: Lot  5, Block 1, East Pine Creek, Section Twenty-nine (29), Township One hundred Sixty eight (168) North, Range Thirty-four (34) West – Parcel ID# 02.51.01.050. 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 Residential  Development (R1) Zoning District. 

Name of Applicant: Woodsmen Properties, LLC Number: 26-01IU Date: February 4, 2026 Location/Legal Description: Lot 5, Block 1, East Pine Creek Parcel Number: 02.51.01.050 

Project Proposal: Applicant is requesting an amendment to Conditional Use Permit #22-14CU,  to allow an additional structure to operate as a Short-Term Vacation Rental in a Rural  Residential Development (R2) Zoning District. 

Jeff Emery phoned in on a conference call to represent Woodsmen Properties LLC, 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. 

1. 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? Residential and recreational area. 

2. Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining public health, safety, and welfare? This  includes the following items: 

• Safe drinking water or other approved  alternatives 

• Compliant septic system and sized  accordingly 

• Smoke/carbon monoxide alarms • 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. 

3. Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? 

YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) 

Why or why not? No change. Yes, residential. 

4. Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access to the property?  YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) 

Why or why not? 17237 East Pine Dr. 

5. 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. 

6. Has the applicant adequately addressed how parking is to be addressed on the property? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( ) 

Why or why not? Onsite. 

7. Is fencing and/or screening needed to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties? YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X) 

Why or why not? _________________ 

8. 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? __________________ 

9. 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? 8 per application. 

10. 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. 

11. 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  X or transfer of the 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: Riser on septic tank must be in place by July 31, 2026. 

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 ( ) 

February 4, 2026 _____________________________________  Date Ken Horntvedt Chair, Planning Commission 

This is in accordance with the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance 

With no further business before the Planning Commission, Dunnell made a motion to adjourn,  seconded by Marhula. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM.