February 11, 2016 at 3:42 p.m.
Hay Days hearing leaves unanswered questions
Hay Days hearing leaves unanswered questions
Sunrise Township officials had already sent the county its recommendation to deny the application for the new permit.
Three hours of testimony and discussion in Lindstrom February 4, was still insufficient to render a decision.
The county planning commission tabled its vote to its March meeting.
The Conditional Use Permit the Sno Barons Snowmobile Club operates Hay Days under allows for the annual two-day massive motorsports extravaganza just west of Almelund, the weekend after Labor Day.
County planning commission members tried to sift through hours of public comment, pro and con and suggestions for new permit conditions--but ultimately voted to continue action until March. Over the next several days planning commissioners will submit written permit wording suggestions to county staff which the commission can consider at the next meeting.
Planning Commissioner David Whitney reminded his colleagues that a Conditional Use Permit goes with the land. The commission has to do everything it can to make the community feel comfortable, stating, “...so, we won’t end up with uses we can’t do anything about.”
The lack of clarity on what Sno Barons have planned for the site was a major issue.
Sno Barons spokespersons Meshell Gorsegner and lawyer Paula Callies, said they need the permit before they seek out organizations or enterprises who would reserve the site. Gorsegner said Sno Barons will “partner” with those who want to use the site.
The number of days that Sno Barons wants added is 20.
The hearing didn’t really make clear if new structures were being approved in this new permit. The application states there’ll be no new buildings, but the snowmobile club representatives said there will be.
As for 20 additional days for events; Planning Commission member Gene Olson suggested 10 days and “see how it goes.” He also had concerns about allowances in the permit for expanded liquor sales.
Should these events be restricted to the county’s “Rural Retail and Tourism” definitions of allowed uses or if the permit will clear the way for “commercial recreation,” was also not clear.
Commission member Jim McCarthy remarked, “I’m not feeling low impact here.” Other rural retail tourism uses have been much more narrowly defined, he noted.
Commission members said the occasional indoor quilt show isn’t a problem, but an outdoor rock concert might be a problem. A Boy Scouts jamboree or church camp-out are fine, but multiple motorized dirt bike races or drone competitions wouldn’t be.
Commission members also said maximum crowd size, on-site for any given day, needs to be spelled out. The Rural Retail Tourism ordinances that would be applied for this allows “small events.” The attorney for Sno Barons, Paula Callies observed that the county code doesn’t have a specific number defining “small events” and capping attendees may not be allowed legally.
Planning Commissioner Jim Froberg said Sno Barons has “done a good job so far” but also agreed with dozens of audience comments that 20 days of additional site use is too intense.
Commissioners also want to revise the notice time period for Sno Barons to advise the county of events, from a few days to perhaps as much as six months.
The permit action is two-fold.
The club is also asking to expand its September Hay Days from two to three days.
The club also wants continuing authorization for on-site fireworks. This will be the 50th anniversary of Hay Days, from when it began west of Forest Lake, and the club wants to have a fireworks show for sure and also be able to accommodate future fireworks requests from partners.
Nearby resident, Linda Christianson, said five years ago, the Sno Barons assured everybody they just wanted to run the Hay Days expo and races. “We are now seeing exactly what we thought would happen, when we opposed this permit (originally),” she added.
She also cited the county’s recent denial of an outdoor shooting sports competition (Triple X) and feels the same reasoning for denying that event can justify denying this. (That applicant, Jeffrey August, took his dispute to the MN Court of Appeals and the county’s denial was upheld. The state Supreme Court declined to hear the case.)
Potter Jeff Oestreich has a studio located a mile from the permit site. Hay Days already congests roads around the area and most people plan to avoid that part of the county on that weekend. He asked, “What happens if (a new event) falls on the same days as our annual pottery tour?”
Equine veterinary service owner Jeremy Frederickson also mentioned that his clients’ ability to haul in horses needing care, has been and will be affected by congestion around the site.
Les McDonald observed that currently the club wants to add one day to Hay Days and maybe a few days prior to and afterwards for set-up and tear down, plus the special event days. “Where does it stop?” he wondered.
Several Sno Barons Club members spoke in support of expanded site use. Many neighbors listed as property owners who lease their farmland for Hay Days parking and camping, also expressed support. Kevin Gustafson, North Branch’s Sno Drifters Club, also spoke of the benefits of having Sno Barons able to raise and distribute funds that improve snowmobile trails.
The planning commissioners heard that many club members have been involved for years and take pride in the Hay Days site and activities. They wouldn’t want to do anything detrimental to this, one stated.
The club also buys hay bales and fuel locally, spends money at area businesses and competitors and motorsports enthusiasts stay locally and it all boosts the economy.
Sno Barons’ lawyer Callies observed that Almelund Threshing Show’s Conditional Use Permit was recently revised by the county, expanding land uses at the threshing show grounds not far from Hay Days. She said, “We just want similar occasional events.”
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