---

On a split vote the county commissioners last week approved a controversial wedding and events venue in Franconia Township.  

The permit process falls under “Rural Retail Tourism” land uses, and this enterprise was strenuously opposed by neighboring property owners.  

Over multiple meetings that were held to review the application, the concerns expressed were so extensive that county commissioners  commented that the zoning category Rural Retail Tourism could be insufficient to regulate such an intensive use.  But, this will have to be a conversation for another time,  because this particular permit has been in the pipeline a while now and the statutory deadline to deny or approve was this week. 

The final vote was Commissioners Marlys Dunne, Ben Montzka and Jim Swenson in favor and Commissioners Rick Greene and Dan Dahlberg opposed.

Even with some 30 conditions attached to the permit, Greene and Dahlberg couldn’t reconcile siting this business in this location.  The parcel is adjacent to a cattle farm, the level of traffic expected and safety concerns on the road (260th) haven’t been addressed  and township supervisors do not recommend the development as-is.  

The county planning commission did, however, recommend the permit be allowed.

Commissioner Jim Swenson observed that denial will probably result in a lawsuit and in appeals court the judge can make whatever determination is desired.  The county has lost other appeals of land use denials, Swenson said,  and he didn’t see this one ending favorably for the neighbors.  The majority of the Board agreed it was better to impose conditions and issue the permit and monitor how compliance goes.

Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider agreed that there are “competing conflict points”  inherent in non-ag and agricultural operations side-by-side. It wouldn’t be possible to know the outcome of a later judicial process.  This is why Chisago County seeks to allow people use of their ag-zone property,  with conditions.

The permit approved added conditions beyond those the planning commission reviewed such as hours, number of guests, etc. including: the new requirement there will be a traffic management and warning signage plan submitted for 260th.  Signage will alert  drivers the site is actively in use.  The township also has to negotiate with the permittees to resolve any issues with the township road such as improved shouldering, building a turn lane, ingress and egress sightlines and the permit is conditioned on the supervisors “certifying” the town is satisfied as the road authority.  

And, parking must be fully accommodated on-site.

A fencing requirement was contested by the livestock farmer next door, who said her insurance carrier advised the existence of this venue will result in cancellation of liability coverage for the ranch property.  Richelle Ganley warned the commissioners the first trespass incident by a guest onto the pastureland will come back to haunt the county. “You have failed us,” she said, referring to impacts to farming in general by these Rural Retail Tourism uses being permitted.

---