Committee approves conservation grant, stormwater grant application and Dublin Downs preliminary plat

At its final term meeting, the Washington County Land Use & Planning Committee approved three formal actions: a conservation grant award, a stormwater grant application, and a preliminary plat approval.

Conservation & Heritage grant: The committee approved a staff recommendation to award $100,000 to the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation for a parcel reviewed in the committee packet. Jamie said three applications were scored and ranked; the review team recommended the mid‑ranked parcel for award because the highest scoring Germantown parcel lacked a required municipal letter and was within a sewer service area. Supervisor Mary moved to approve the recommendation; Supervisor Conrath seconded and the motion passed.

Urban non‑point source / stormwater grant: County staff explained that the county operates under an MS4 permit through the DNR and is targeting a DNR construction grant to fund stormwater work focused near County Highway S (initial CIP funding proposed at $115,000 in 2027–28, and staff described a target of roughly $230,000 including grant leverage). The committee moved to approve the resolution to apply for the grant and proceeded with the vote.

Dublin Downs preliminary plat: Senior municipal planner Hannah Kekisen presented the six‑lot Dublin Downs preliminary plat (town of Aarin), which proposes lots of 5 to 6.4 acres served by private septic and private water. State DOT review of the driveway connection was required and the stormwater management plan had been initially approved in 2025; final permits and any state conditions remain outstanding. Staff recommended approval of the preliminary plat contingent on the report’s listed items. The committee voted to approve the preliminary plat (motion by Supervisor Conrath, seconded by Supervisor Pridemore).

Motions and outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript: the conservation grant recommendation was approved, the committee authorized application for the DNR stormwater grant, and the Dublin Downs preliminary plat was approved contingent on staff conditions. The meeting record does not include detailed vote tallies by name for each yes/no vote in the transcript excerpt provided.