Morrison County planning commission recommends conditional‑use permit for mini‑storage with wetland and stormwater conditions

The Morrison County Planning Commission voted March 3 to recommend that the county board approve a conditional‑use permit for applicants Craig and Lisa Przabella to construct a 40x120 mini‑storage building on a 25.6‑acre homestead parcel off County Road 239, with the commission attaching three conditions before permitting.

Amy, a land services staff member, told commissioners the application invokes county ordinance section 604.5 and that the proposed use requires a CUP. She said the application lacked a wetland delineation and a stormwater plan and recommended conditions requiring both, plus a prohibition on outdoor storage.

The recommendation matters because the parcel contains wetland indicators and site runoff flows toward a nearby swamp and pond. In a read comment from Shannon Wetstein, director of the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District, staff highlighted that a wetland boundary must be established before earthwork and that a stormwater retention plan will be necessary to avoid impacts on neighboring properties and wetlands.

Applicant Craig Przabella described the proposed layout and unit sizes, saying he had originally considered 30x120 buildings but is amending the request to a 40x120 building and would offer mixed unit sizes, including larger units for boats and trailers: “I was gonna go 40 by 120,” he said, adding that each building would contain up to about 30 rental units. Craig also described grading and drainage ideas discussed with his excavator to produce a flat building pad while preserving nearby farmland.

Amy and commissioners explained why the two technical conditions are required. Amy said a wetland delineation is needed to determine setbacks and to ensure building locations do not encroach on protected wetland areas; she also said roof runoff and additional impervious surface concentrate and warm runoff, which the Wetland Conservation Act treats differently and which must be managed by a stormwater plan approved by Soil and Water and Land Services. “A stormwater plan needs to be submitted for review and approval by the Soil and Water Conservation District and Land Services,” Amy said.

Commission members discussed driveway and access issues and noted the county engineer indicated the existing approach is likely adequate; if turning or heavy use requires modifications, that work would be handled by the applicant and public works. Commissioners also recommended explicitly prohibiting outdoor storage as a condition to limit off‑site impacts.

After commissioners reviewed the five statutory criteria (roadway burden, detriment to neighboring property, compatibility with existing land use, consistency with zoning and the comprehensive plan), Clint moved to recommend approval with the three conditions and Brent seconded. The commission voted unanimously in favor (George, Marv/Marvin, Clint, Brent). The commission’s recommendation will go to the county board for final action at its March 10 meeting at 9:00 a.m.

Amy clarified procedural timing: a wetland delineation generally must be done in the growing season (likely May), so delineation work is not required before the March 10 county board hearing; however, the stormwater plan and delineation must be submitted and approved before any building permits would be issued if the county board approves the CUP.