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Changes to county ordinances that regulate wedding venues and other retail, tourism and gathering venues land uses were adopted by the County Board last week.  The county planning commission has been drafting new language to address some issues, such as screening, hours of operation, parking etc. that  have become aggravations with some existing permits.  

Ordinance changes include creating three “classes” of the allowed uses for wedding venues,  based on parcel size and crowd attendance. 

The conditions of granting permits are better tied to each property and proximity of neighbors.

Commissioner Rick Greene noted the planning commission worked on these recommendations a long time and that this is a good starting point to see if any minor adjustments may be needed.  

Chair Dan Dahlberg agreed, adding, “Do we need a class number four? Maybe, we'll see.”

Commissioner Marlys Dunne also supported the new wording saying they are “...really good changes ...addressing venues that were squeezed into areas they shouldn’t be.”

Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider added that these are all new regulations and not retroactive.   He also presented the additional definitions adopted for equine-based land uses, which are now classified as commercial and non-commercial and are attached to regulations. Commercial is defined as a property where 20 or more equine animals are held to train, breed, show or sell.

The planning commission recommendations also included criteria to even be considered for certain land uses.  An applicant beginning to consider a land use can review the criteria which are easy to understand.

Schneider also got support in a motion authorizing the county to accept the DNR grant for developing the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail, which was approved.  The county has two years to spend the approximately $2.4 million in funds.  The commissioners also approved hiring WSB to design the layout of the 2.5 mile long trail between where it ends in Shafer and into Center City.  The firm will do plans, specs and administer the bidding.

Schneider said his goal is to have a project ready to go out for bids in early winter 2026.

The issues with lot lines and swapping city owned for private square footage in order to site a trailhead on public land, are being resolved.  Schneider stated he had walked the trailhead site and the businesses impacted by the trailhead project and the city are “working well together.”

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