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An interim use permit (IEP) for a short term vacation rental took up some time at the Lake County board meeting on Tuesday, March 26.
In standard practice, the planning commission for the county reviews IEPs and makes a recommendation to the board. Usually the commission recommends granting the permit, and most recommendations are summarily passed by the board. But the board does have the ultimate decision to act on the recommendation, or not.
After a public hearing on March 16, the planning commission had voted, 3-1, to oppose the recommendation of a one-year permit approval, citing concerns with safety (a windy, narrow, private road with little ability to enforce a speed limit) and also access to the property.
Eight adjoining neighbors voiced opposition to the permit at the public hearing, citing concerns with road safety, noise level, fire danger, and voicing a general desire to be a neighborhood with full-time residents.
At this meeting, both the applicants (Taylor and Charissa Hall) and many of the neighbors of the property were present again to witness the board’s action and voice their opinions a second time, which they did during the general public comments portion of the meeting.
The applicants, who had driven through a snowstorm from the Twin Cities to plead their case, handed the board members a packet. They also commented on their track record with a STVR in the Aitkin area, reiterated a commitment to “running a tight ship” with renters, and stressed their love of the north shore and the intention to spend time there as a family.
They argued that other local VRBOs face the same accessibility questions, yet those permits were approved.
“We are looking for the opportunity to show you that we can be good neighbors,” said Charissa Hall.
Residents of Deerview Lane also said new requests such as providing explicit documentation that renters are fully aware of the burn restrictions and prohibiting hunting on the property. The private road access remained one of the biggest concerns.
“In real life, people are eager to get on vacation, they go racing up the shore,” said one resident.
Another resident stated that despite his signage, “We have people driving to the end of our road, and then can’t turn around.”
With options laid out for them by county attorney Russ Conrow, including the option to make their own findings before approving or denying, the board unanimously voted to send the application back to the planning commission, leaving it to the commission to determine whether or not they would solicit new information before reaching a final determination.
It was an active discussion, with Commissioner Rick Goutermont stating he was not comfortable making decision without more involvement in similar permit hearings.
