In a recent meeting of the Goodhue County Planning Commission, the focus was on a significant land use proposal from Bruce Oman of Oman Farms LLC. The commission reviewed two key requests concerning property near Lake Bilsby in Stanton Township, which aims to facilitate family land holdings and streamline zoning regulations.

The first part of the proposal involved a preliminary and final plat for the Oman addition, which seeks to divide approximately 131.26 acres of land. This request has garnered support from Stanton Township, which has raised no objections to the plan. The Planning Commission staff recommended adopting the staff report and approving the plat, emphasizing the importance of this familial land division.

The second request was for a rezone of a 5-acre parcel from R1 suburban residence to A2 Agriculture District. This change is crucial to prevent the creation of a split-zoned parcel, which complicates zoning enforcement. Currently, the 5 acres, which includes a dwelling and accessory buildings, is surrounded by residential developments and agricultural land. By rezoning this property to A2, the owner would be able to apply for an interim use permit to operate a contractor's yard, which is currently functioning without a permit.

Staff clarified that the commission's consideration of the rezone should not hinge on the appropriateness of the contractor's yard but rather on the zoning implications. They assured that the proposed changes would not increase dwelling density in the area and that no new feedlots would be permitted without variances due to the proximity of existing residences.

With no additional comments from the applicant, the Planning Commission moved forward with the recommendation to approve both the plat and the rezone request, setting the stage for future developments in the area. This meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to manage land use effectively while accommodating the needs of local residents and businesses.