After a 40-minute discussion Tuesday, the Sherburne County Board tabled a request for an interim use permit for a haunted trail on a 5.97-acre parcel in Orrock Twp.
The board decided there were still unresolved issues regarding some of the 18 conditions and five findings of fact necessary for the permit to go forward. Some of those issues include safety and security, parking on township roads, defining excessive noise, dust, fumes and lights, engineering inspections of some of the buildings and liability to the county if someone was injured on the site.
“It’s a huge impact to that neighborhood,” said Commissioner Raeanne Danielowski. “... I don’t know if this is ready for prime time yet.”
Commissioner Lisa Fobbe said she had a similar issue years ago in Livonia Twp. and was struggling with the current request.
Commissioner Gregg Felber said he was also concerned about disruption to the neighborhood.
“This is so intrusive on such a small piece of property,” he said. “I struggle with having it on such a small property in the neighborhood.”
Commissioner Andrew Hulse said the request felt very rushed, since the trail was supposed to be opened in October.
“This should have happened in July,” he said. We would have had time to vet all the issues.”
The board tabled the request to Nov. 19 so planning and zoning could do further review and modify conditions for approval.
Plow Competition
The board authorized out of state travel for Kevin Davis of the maintenance crew to compete in the National Plow Driving Skills Competition at the The Minnesota Fall Maintenance Expo. Davis finished second in the statewide Roadeo skill competition, which qualifies him to compete in the National Competition and represent MN in the 2025 Western Snow and Ice Conference in Colorado, Sept. 2025.
HHS Reclassification
The board approved the reclassification of a HHS Clinical Supervisor and Trainer to Clinical Social Service Supervisor to become active on 10-21-2024.
Health and Human Services plans to start a clinical services unit in 2025. The new unit will address the rising mental health concerns within the county through triage and rapid response of some of the most acute mental health needs with families.
Mental health professionals will provide psychotherapy, diagnostic assessments, parenting support, and in-home skills to individuals and families who are on lengthy wait lists, with the goal of preventing crises and costly out-of-home placements.
Employee Benefits
The board approved the 2025 Compensation and County Contributions for Non-Union Employees’ Wages and Benefits. The plan includes a 3.5% range adjustment plus the following contributions to the health insurance premiums: Single contribution $1,021.12; Single plus child(ren) contribution $1,748.38; Single plus spouse contribution $1,821.50; Family contribution $2,187.10.
MnDOT Road Agreement
The board passed a resolution and approved an agreement with MnDOT for Advance Construction Federal Funds to reconstruct Co. Rd. 4 from 10th Street W to Co. Rd. 45, and for Transportation Alternative (TA) funding to construct a trail from 13th Street W to Co. Rd. 45 in the City of Zimmerman. The approximate cost of the project is $4,005,824.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved the Residential Preliminary and Final Simple Plat of “Buck Point” consisting of one lot on 40.45 acres on 104th St. NW in Livonia Twp.;
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a 24’ x 50’ personal storage structure on a 1.36-acre lot within the Recreational Development Shoreland Overlay District of Birch Lake on 225th Ave. in Big Lake Twp.;
• Approved a CUP for Mini Storage on 4.4 acres on 200th Ave. NW in Big Lake Twp. in the Commercial District and within the Natural Environment Shoreland District of Beulah Pond;
