By Robert Williams

Editor

A Conditional Use Permit request for excavation and regrading of a previously altered bluff area within the shoreland district involving more than 1,000 cubic yards of material to improve the property’s usability for shoreland alterations located south of 42273 Lida View Lane, in rural Vergas, on Lake Lida, was approved by Otter Tail County commissioners Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The August request was initially tabled to allow time for the applicant to determine whether a reduction in scope and magnitude to a minimum elevation of 1,340-feet was feasible.

Revisions were made, including a revised grading plan that reduced the estimated off-site soil exports by approximately two-thirds, significantly reducing the number of truckloads and overall project impact. 

A detailed landscaping plan was also prepared to address concerns regarding trees and vegetation. The plan includes 29 trees, approximately 73 shrubs, and a permanent underground irrigation system to support plant growth. The landscaping is intended to restore the property’s natural appearance, provide wind protection, and offer additional screening near San Dee Cove.

At the October planning meeting there were two in-person public comments, one in favor of the CUP and one against. The latter was from the family which has owned the neighboring property since 1988 and believe the proposed land alterations and future construction would negatively affect the neighborhood and future generations. They requested that the Planning Commission deny the application.

The commission acknowledged that the applicant had responded well to concerns raised during the previous review and had made the expected revisions to the application. However, members noted that opposition letters had been received from nearby residents and recognized that the project would substantially change their surroundings and experience.

The commission encouraged the applicant to consider appropriate screening and landscaping to help preserve the neighboring residents’ experience.

The approval of the CUP was made with the revised grading plan reducing the hill to an approximate elevation of 1,340 and off-site soil export to approximately 3,715 cubic yards.

The 3,715 cubic yards are one-third of the original proposal of the original 11,060 cubic yards.

Also included were additional erosion and sediment control measures, a haul route and temporary traffic control plan, and landscaping and irrigation plans to reestablish vegetation, provide screening, and protect North Lida Lake and neighboring properties with the following conditions:

1. A pre-construction meeting shall be held involving Land & Resource Management staff, Professional Engineer (PE) & Contractor.

2. A Professional Engineer (PE) or their designated representative shall be present onsite during construction to oversee compliance with the approved plans.

District 1 Commissioner Dan Bucholz and District 5 Commissioner Sean Sullivan both commented on the positive results from having engineers on-site at projects when necessary. 

Resorts to become CICs

Kimp’s Kamp LLC (operating as Kimp’s Kamp Resort) on Dead Lake and Barky’s Resort on Otter Tail Lake were both approved by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Oct. 27, to become common interest communities (CIC). 

A CIC is a type of real estate development where individual owners hold exclusive title to their specific home or unit while sharing ownership of, and financial responsibility for, common areas and facilities.

Kimp’s Kamp has been a family-owned and operated resort for several generations dating back to the 1940s. 

The proposed residential CIC would include 12 existing cabins and 6 new dwelling units, for a total of 18 dwelling units. 

On the field side of the property, north of the existing tree line and with no visibility from the lake, designated non-residential units are proposed for garages, storage, and boat/trailer parking. These units would be exclusive to the owners of the residential CIC and would provide accessory storage and parking for the residential units. The proposal is located at 38267 White Haven Rd., Dent.

The county board approved the Kimp’s Kamp LLC proposal unanimously, minus Commissioner Wayne D. Nelson, who recused himself due to business connections to the proposal.

The Barky’s Resort CUP application request was to convert the existing commercial resort containing 11 units 5 docks and 12 slips into a residential development with the same numbers. The proposal is located at 28484 County Hwy 145, in Battle Lake on Otter Tail Lake.

Planning Commission members noted that the proposal primarily changes the ownership arrangement and discussed whether a centralized dock system was necessary given the property’s existing layout and relatively large lake setting. 

They also discussed the importance of addressing future dwelling expansions to ensure continued consideration of impacts on neighboring properties and the lake agreeing that conditions should be evaluated based on the circumstances of each individual development.

Planning Commission members agreed to limit the development to 11 boat slips and require any expansion of an existing dwelling unit to obtain approval from the Board of Adjustment. No additional impervious surface conditions were necessary, as future changes would be subject to applicable review.

The commercial to residential permit application was approved by the Planning Commission and county commissioners unanimously.

Woodlands Beach Resort

A CUP application request to remove an existing camper and addition and replace it with a stick-built structure located at 26477 State Hwy 78, Battle Lake was also approved with the conditions that the proposed replacement structure would be a single-story building measuring no more than 16 feet by 40 feet, including a covered porch occupying the first 6 feet of the overall length.