Polk County grants conditional‑use permit for accessory building at Maple Lake with conditions

The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional‑use permit for a Maple Lake property that will attach an existing accessory building on a narrow back lot to a new septic holding tank.

County staff summarized the application for parcel 74.00872.01 (applicant Trent Olsson): the back lot is roughly 50 by 320 feet; the front lot already contains a dwelling; two sheds are on the back lot, and one will be converted to a 16x26 hobby/quilt room with a closet converted to a bathroom. Under the shoreland section of the county zoning ordinance (section 18), installing a septic for accessory‑structure use requires a conditional use permit. Staff said the proposed system is a holding tank with alarm and that Bayside Septic Services has indicated they can access and pump the tank at the proposed location.

Planning commission and staff recommended approval with conditions: recording a no‑guest‑house waiver in the property deed before permit issuance, submission of a licensed septic professional’s design prior to permit issuance and a maintenance/pumping agreement for the holding tank. Staff also noted existing impervious surface (about 9%) and required limits on future development (no more than 25% impervious coverage).

After a brief discussion, a motion to approve the conditional‑use permit with the recommended conditions was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. Staff said the county will require the recorded waiver and septic design before issuing the zoning permit.