Caledonia Argus

Permits granted for four homes

Posted: 6/22/04

The Houston County Board of Commissioners approved granting conditional use permits on June 8 to four parties who want to build houses in agricultural districts.

The decision followed unanimous approval by the Houston County planning commission on May 27.

Bob Scanlon, county planning and zoning administrator, explained the applications to the county board.

ï Norbert Schroeder in Caledonia Township, was a hardship permit, Scanlon said, because Schroeder was in poor health and he wanted his daughter to move next door to help look after him. She is bringing in a mobile home, and it will have to be removed when she is no longer needed.

ï Steve Colsch plans to build a house on 1-1/2 acres on Gavin Road in section 14 of Mayville Township. Gavin Road is a dead-end township road; Colschís property starts where the road ends. Scanlon said he did not like to see too many situations like this, but that there arenít many dead-ends that meet the needs of a building site as this one does. There is a shed there already, built in 1996 or 1997, Scanlon said.

ï Jamie and Ronda Fort plan to build on six acres of the Dorothy and Roy Lietzau farm in section 10 of Hokah township. Scanlon noted that there is no other house in the quarter-quarter section, which is 40 acres.

ï Chris and Carolyn Chapel plan to build a house in Houston Township.

Only one home per 40 acres is allowed in Houston County, unless the land in zoned residential. Conditional use permits are required for people who want to build on less than a 40 acre parcel.

The board also granted a conditional use permit to Ivan and Lois McEthiny to operate a Level II home occupation in Mound Prairie Township. The business is an antique shop. Level II means the business will not be located in their home, but rather in an accessory structure.

The board granted a permit for Peter Rosendahl, Spring Grove Township, to expand an existing feedlot of over 300 animal units and build a manure storage basin.

The board tabled action on the MaCal development known as ìFrankís Third Additionî in section 12 of Caledonia Township. The 28-acre parcel, which will contain 27 lots, is the agenda again for the June 24 planning commission meeting.

Variance granted

The Houston County board of adjustment granted a variance on May 27 to Peter Rosendahl, to expand a feedlot within 1/4 mile of an existing dwelling and a variance of 25 feet to meet the required 50-foot setback requirement to build an agricultural building.

Zoning permits

Many zoning permits were approved by the planning commission at the May 27 meeting, and then by the county board on June 8. Here are details of the permits;

ï Arlyn and Jean Pohlman, Mayville Township: build house (42x55), garage (22x 32);

ï Dean and Connie Myhre, Wilmington Township; build 4-season room (10x 24);

ï Kenneth and Rhonda Peplinski, Money Creek Township: build house (90x36); garage (36x36) deck (12x 24), porch (12x12), porch (6x37).

ï Scott Meyer, Winnebago Township: build addition on house (24x18);

ï Duane Thomford, Caledonia Township: build addition on house (8x30);

ï Chad and Nikki Augedahl, Caledonia Township: build house (52x32 and 20x 8), garage (26x 38);

ï Craig Olson, Union Township: build house (60x52);

ï Brad and Helen Holland, Money Creek Township: build addition on garage (28x10);

ï Scott and Melanie Ritterling, Brownsville Township: build addition on house (32x44);

ï Farmers Co-op Elevator, Caledonia Township: build addition for chemical storage (24x22);

ï Don Hagen and Owen Hagen, Spring Grove Township: install pre-fab home, second farm dwelling (36x62);

ï John Loken, Houston Township: build apartment/motel complex (72x120);

ï Gary Lee, Union Township: build addition on house (32x14x 16);

ï Troy Mullenbach, Money Creek Township: build 3-sided horse barn (15x 27), deck on house (33x4);

ï Chris and Jana Von Arx, Mayville Township: build house (34x 4), deck (10x20).

What, and who, are the planning commission, board of adjustment?

The Houston County Planning Commissionís job is to hear and review any conditional use permits or zoning amendments, review any amendments to ordinances, and review building permits.

Their decisions are recommendations only. The county board must give final approval.

Commission members are appointed. Current members are David Alstad, Spring Grove; Dave Corcoran, Brownsville; Glenn Kruse, Eitzen; Bruce Lee, Houston; Garland Moe, Caledonia; Terry Rosendahl, Hokah; and Charlie Wieser, La Crescent.

The Houston County Board of Adjustmentís job is to review variances for things like property lines, setbacks, feedlots, and rock quarries. Their decisions are final, and do not need to be approved by the full county board.

Current members are Garland Moe, Caledonia, Norman Oseth, Caledonia; and Tim Orr, Houston. Glenn Meiners, Caledonia, is the alternate.

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