Maine Township lake subdivision plan approved
News | Published on January 21, 2025 at 8:29pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Otter Tail County commissioners approved a subdivision plan near Maine Lake and Round Lake, just west of Pickerel Lake in Maine Township. Included are 22 proposed lots. A new roadway also received county board approval as part of a conditional use permit.
At the same time, the county board said a requested Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) process was not needed.
County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood, an attorney, said he and fellow commissioners fully understand the feelings of those opposed to the project. At the same time, however, he said the county board believes that that the proposed subdivision meets and exceeds county and state minimum standards.
“We as a county board need to make decisions based on rules and regulations established by Otter Tail County and the State of Minnesota,” Mortenson said.
The project includes 10 single-family residential riparian lots, near the lakes, and 12 single-family residential non-riparian lots. Mortenson said up to 40 lots could have been approved and still be within state and county guidelines.
“We as a county board cannot rely on speculation, and we did not receive opposition to this project from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR),” Mortenson added.
Opponents, in their opposition, maintained that the subdivision will have, in their words, “a huge environmental impact.” Concerns included questions about water quality, noise, increases in boat density and adverse effects on wildlife.
County Land and Resource Management Director Chris LeClair previously said the proposed plat is nowhere near having a density that is too high. He added that, after a review of subdivision plans and construction of a road, he and his department staff did not see adverse effects.
The county planning commission previously approved the project after addressing 16 factors for approval and discussing the compatibility with the surrounding area. They said the proposed roadway meets state and county standards, adding that a storm water pollution prevention plan is in place.