Rural Land Management Board

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Rural Land Management Board convened virtually via Zoom Webinar on August 25, 2021, at 3:00 PM, with Gloria Martin presiding as the meeting officer. The board addressed two informational agenda items during the session, focusing on updates regarding active farm development and infrastructure requests within the county's rural land management jurisdiction.

The meeting included comprehensive discussions on Farm consolidation and housing development proposals, with the board reviewing the status of Jackpot Land Company, LLC's consolidation request for Farms 5-2001 and 60-2002, as well as Bruce and Lauren Kostelnik's housing and infrastructure request for Farm 25-2006a. Both agenda items were presented for informational purposes, allowing board members to receive updates on ongoing rural development projects and their compliance with county land management policies.

Throughout the session, the board conducted 5 formal votes on various procedural and substantive matters related to the agenda items. No public comments were received during the designated public comment period, allowing the board to focus entirely on the technical aspects of the farm development proposals and administrative procedures. The virtual format enabled efficient discussion of the rural land management issues while maintaining public access to the proceedings through the Zoom webinar platform.

Attendance

The following members were present at the August 25, 2021 meeting:

• Gloria Martin
• Robert James
• Philip Meyer
• Hannah Emig
• Phil Hager
• Elisabeth Jensen
• Will Mayer
• Mary Quinn Ramer (arrived late)
• Dennis Anderson
• Margaret Graves
• Greg Harbut
• Thomas Owen
• Christine Stanley

Absent: • Fred Brown • Beau Neal • Ian Young

Late Arrival: • Mary Quinn Ramer

A total of 13 members were present for the meeting, with 3 members absent. One member arrived late to the proceedings.

Votes and Decisions

The board took action on five motions during the August 25, 2021 meeting, with all items passing unanimously.

Minutes Approval Philip Meyer motioned to approve the May 26, 2021 meeting minutes, with Elisabeth Jensen providing the second. The motion passed unanimously with all seven board members voting in favor: Gloria Martin, Robert James, Philip Meyer, Hannah Emig, Phil Hager, Elisabeth Jensen, and Will Mayer.

Staff Recommendations for Amended Plan 0:00 The board unanimously approved 10 items listed as staff recommendations related to an amended plan submitted by a landowner. The motion passed without opposition.

Historic House Wall Removal Rescission 0:00 A motion to rescind the board's prior approval of the removal of a portion of the back wall of a historic house passed unanimously. Robert James seconded the motion.

Farm Purchase Authorization Margaret Graves motioned to authorize an offer on farm 1-2020, which passed unanimously. No second was recorded for this motion.

Farm Appraisal Authorization 0:00 Robert James motioned to authorize an appraisal for farm 10-2020 and farm 1-2021 upon receipt of NRCS matching funds. The motion passed unanimously without a recorded second.

All five motions demonstrated unanimous support from the board, indicating consensus on the items presented. The meeting included both administrative matters, such as minutes approval, and substantive decisions regarding farm acquisitions and historic preservation matters.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one primary contested item that generated significant discussion among participants.

Barndominium Definition and ADUs

A procedural dispute arose regarding the lack of a formal definition for "barndominium" structures and related issues concerning Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The disagreement centered on regulatory clarity and building code compliance.

Building inspection officials raised concerns about safety standards and adherence to established building codes for these structures. The absence of a clear definition for barndominiums created challenges in determining appropriate regulatory oversight and inspection protocols.

The discussion highlighted gaps in current zoning and building regulations that need to be addressed to ensure proper safety compliance while accommodating these increasingly popular residential structures. However, the specific participants involved in the debate and the final outcome of this contested item were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

This procedural dispute underscores the ongoing challenges local governments face in adapting regulations to address emerging housing trends and construction methods while maintaining safety standards and code compliance.

Update on Farms 5-2001 and 60-2002, Jackpot Land Company, LLC — Consolidation Request

The board discussed a consolidation request for two properties, Farms 5-2001 and 60-2002, owned by Jackpot Land Company, LLC. This item was carried over from previous business.

Gloria Martin and Tracy Jones served as the key speakers during this discussion, providing updates on the status of the consolidation request.

The primary focus of the discussion centered on whether the two farm properties could be legally consolidated under current regulations. After review of the relevant documentation, it was determined that there are no restrictions in either the existing easement agreements or local ordinances that would prevent the consolidation of these two properties.

This finding represents a significant development for Jackpot Land Company, LLC, as it clears the regulatory pathway for combining the two farm parcels into a single consolidated property. The absence of easement or ordinance barriers removes potential legal obstacles that could have complicated or prevented the consolidation process.

The discussion was informational in nature, with no formal action taken by the board during this meeting. The update served to inform board members of the current status and provide clarity on the regulatory landscape surrounding the proposed consolidation.

The consolidation request appears to be moving forward without significant impediments, though the timeline for completion and any additional steps required in the process were not detailed in this particular discussion.

Farm 25-2006a, Bruce and Lauren Kostelnik — Housing & Infrastructure Request

The board discussed a housing and infrastructure request for Farm 25-2006a submitted by Bruce and Lauren Kostelnik during the New Business portion of the meeting.

Key speakers during this discussion included Gloria Martin and Beth Overman, who presented information regarding the request and provided analysis of the proposal.

The discussion centered on the Kostelniks' application for housing development on their designated farm property. The board reviewed the infrastructure requirements and housing plans associated with Farm 25-2006a.

Following the presentation and discussion, the recommendation was made to approve the primary residence component of the request. The board found the housing proposal to be in compliance with applicable regulations and suitable for the designated farm property.

This item was treated as an informational discussion, allowing board members to review the details of the request and understand the scope of the proposed development. The approval recommendation for the primary residence indicates the request met the necessary criteria for farm-based housing infrastructure.

The Kostelnik housing and infrastructure request represents part of the ongoing agricultural development planning within the jurisdiction, with the board ensuring that residential components align with farm operation requirements and local development standards.