Posted: 7/19/05
County board could decide Solum issue this week
Planning commission wonít visit site
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The Houston County board last week rescinded a July 5 motion requiring the planning commission to make a site visit to the Jared Solum pole barn in rural Spring Grove.
County attorney Rick Jackson asked for the change. He said it was not appropriate to have the planning commission visit the site, and that is the zoning administratorís job.
Jackson said that the visit can be videotaped, with a copy of the tape going to Solum and one for the county.
Assuming the pole building is no longer used as a dwelling and the conditional use permit fee is paid, a home that Solum built on that 40-acre parcel would be in compliance with county zoning laws and could be lived in, Jackson said.
Solum built a house on Mapleleaf Drive in Spring Grove Township last fall without a building permit. He applied for one after-the-fact, but it was not granted because a pole barn on the same 40 is considered another residence. Zoning ordinances on agricultural land prohibit more than one home per 40. Solum contended that the other residence is an ag building and not a residence.
A decision on issuing a conditional use permit could come at the July 19 county board meeting. The county board makes the final decision on conditional use permits, usually after a recommendation by the planning commission. The planning commission doesnít meet until July 28. Solum has until August 1 to come into compliance on the issue.
County commissioner Tom Bjerke asked of Solum could sell part of the 40 acres after he is in compliance.
Jackson said no, because of the soils issue. Solumís house was built on class 3 soil, which requires a 40-acre parcel.
Class 1-3 soils are the best quality soil, and are reserved for agricultural use, unless the homeowner owns at least 40 acres. Class 4-7 soils are of a lesser quality, and homes on parcels of less than 40 acres can only be built on these soil types.
Last March Houston County gave Solum until August 1 to come into compliance with its zoning ordinance. Jackson said Solum is trying to do so through the option of keeping the dwelling where it is, maintaining at least 40 contiguous acres, and removing all other dwellings on the parcel.
Demolition landfill discussed
The board also discussed a letter from Ken Tschumper of La Crescent, who was concerned about a possible demolition landfill that would contain concrete rubble on land owned by Brian Wieser.
Frank told The Argus on July 15 that he had since talked to Wieser and told him that state permits, with county approval, are needed for a demotion landfill containing concrete because it is considered solid waste. Frank also wants to review the area where Wieser is putting the material.
Wieser received a wetland exemption to build up a driveway, Frank said, but none of the 6,000-8,000 cubic yards of demolition landfill that Wieser intends to dump will go into a wetland.
La Crescent Township has its own zoning ordinance, but township zoning ordinances must be at least as restrictive as county ordinances, Frank said during the meeting.
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