Medek Focuses on Listening and Learning
- 60 minutes ago
- 2 min read
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12.
Comprehensive Plan and Zoning
Planning and Zoning Administrator Deana Malone updated the commissioners on the progress of the county’s Comprehensive Plan and changes to zoning and subdivision rules. She mentioned that work with the consultant Hometown Planning started later than planned, kicking off in February instead of December, but is still generally on schedule. Initial joint meetings with the County Board and Planning Commission, along with two public input sessions (one in Wadena and one in Sebeka), have taken place, and more meetings are set for late May. Malone aims to have a draft plan ready for review by both the board and Planning Commission by late June or early July, with a possible adoption in July or early August.
Malone also walked the commissioners through proposed updates to the subdivision rules. These updates include housekeeping changes, clearer standards for surveys and certifications, and including common interest communities. There will also be a new administrative subdivision process to simplify small lot splits. The draft proposal would typically allow up to four parcels for every 40 acres of land (including any leftover land), with stricter limits near lakes and rivers to protect water quality. The proposal will also require legal access to the property and surveys, and possibly wetland mapping.
The commissioners discussed the costs and flexibility for landowners and asked the Planning Commission to reconsider two important issues: whether to allow up to five parcels per 40 acres and how strict the wetland mapping requirement should be. Malone hopes to bring this proposal to a public hearing in June, with recommendations for the board to follow afterward.
Commissioner Jon Kangas discussed zoning to advocate for more flexibility to support housing and small-scale development in rural Wadena County. He noted that while there has been some progress—like creating a business corridor along Highways 10 and 71—needed zoning changes for housing has been slow over the years.
Kangas suggested several possible changes for the Planning Commission to consider: Reduce the need for conditional use permits (CUPs) for regular housing and business projects that aren’t likely to cause problems like noise or dust. Allow narrower lot widths in certain cases, as long as the overall lot size and required setbacks are still met. Don’t require the county to enforce surveys and pre-planned septic designs on simple lot splits if both buyers and sellers are okay handling those details themselves. Allow multiple homes on one parcel (like twin homes or small clusters of houses that share a well and septic) to create more affordable housing options without depending on subsidized projects.
Kangas, who has experience in construction and subdivision work, emphasized that clear and flexible rules would give contractors and landowners more confidence and help attract development instead of scaring it away with excessive costs and complicated processes...
