Posted: 2/1/05
Golf course variance, rezoning denied
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
A developerís plans to build homes on Valley High Country Club between Houston and Hokah were denied on January 27.
Both the county planning commission and board of adjustment voted against proposals that would have allowed about 12 homes to be built there.
The board of adjustmentís 3-0 vote denied a variance to Coulee Region Management of 1,530 feet to meet the required half-mile setback for a new subdivision from a feedlot.
Glenn Meiners, Tim Orr, and Garland Moe all voted to deny the variance.
Several people argued both for and against the variance.
Tim Lynch spoke for his brother, Brian, who owns the farm near the golf course for which the variance was required. Tim Lynch believes that that Coulee Region Management (CRM) bought the golf course with the plan to develop it. ìMr. Edwards is a developer,î he said, referring to Jack Edwards, one of CRMís owners.
The development will start with 13 homes, Lynch said, then add 13 more every five years.
ìThen come the nuisance lawsuits,î Lynch said. ìItís going to affect this farm.î
Speaking in an emotional voice, Lynch said, ìIf he wants to own a golf course in Long Prairie, he can own a golf course in Long Prairie.î The standing-room-only crowd applauded his statement.
His sentiment was repeated by several other people in both hearings. Attorney Timothy Murphy, representing concerned homeowners, said that no special circumstances should apply to CRM, because the applicant bought a golf course and not houses.
Attorney Gerard OíFlaherty spoke on CRMís behalf. He said it was unlikely any odor from the feedlot would affect the new homes. He noted that existing homes within the vicinity are the same distance as from the feedlot now.
Ann Abraham, who owns a home at nearby Valley High Estates now, said the countyís land use plan states its number one goal is to protect commercial agriculture. The board should not create situations that make it difficult for farmers to do their job, she said.
ìMiss Abraham has a different agenda than just looking out for the Lynches,î OíFlaherty responded later.
ìWe do smell the feedlot,î homeowner Richard Carr said. ìWe hear the cows in the morning. Most of us are ag people. We donít care.î
Planning commission votes no
After the 30-minute board of adjustment hearing, the Houston County Planning Commission heard about an hourís worth of testimony before voting not to rezone the land from agricultural to residential.
OíFlaherty said that building the houses would not mean the golf course would be closed, as several people suggested. He said it would actually bring more people to the course, and would provide cash for the new owners to get the course back on its feet.
OíFlaherty said that workers could put up roughs or barriers to keep golfers away from the new homes.
Two golfers said that the new houses on the course would hurt its playability. There would be two fairways in one area that is 365 feet wide, Rick Malanowski of La Crescent said. ìThat would be ridiculous. I donít know any golfer who would go play under conditions like that,î he said.
Other testimony against the rezoning centered on concerns about the new septic systems, and the impact on the water supply.
Glenn Kruse, who made the motion to deny the rezoning, said his biggest concern was for the safety of people in the houses and children playing outside near the golf course.
Commissioner Dave Corcoran said he had concerns about water runoff and lot sizes. Terry Rosendahl agreed with that. ìThose lots arenít big enough to support a four bedroom home,î he said. David Alstad and Garland Moe also voted not to rezone. Charlie Wieser voted in the negative, and Bruce Lee abstained.
The other two developers are Paul Schams of La Crosse and Bob Hemker of Winona.
Board of adjustment decisions are final. Planning commission decisions must be approved by the full county board.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com