The Morrison County Planning Commission voted on Nov. 25, 2025, to recommend that the County Board adopt a set of 2025 land‑use ordinance amendments, including clarified lot‑reduction rules, a new licensing requirement for contractors working in shoreland areas, and updates to septic and water‑well inspection procedures.

County staff member Amy presented the package as the sole agenda item and walked commissioners through three principal changes. On lot reductions, staff proposed tightening section 302 to prevent creation of residual parcels that would fall below district minimums or render existing buildings or uses nonconforming. As Amy put it during the presentation, “no lot of record shall be reduced in size in a way that causes it to fall below the district requirements of this ordinance or that results in the existing building or buildings and or uses to become nonconforming.”

The second change would add a licensing program in a new section 700 for anyone “in the business” of excavating, landscaping, grading or hauling fill within the Shoreland District. Amy told commissioners the requirement would obligate firms to obtain a county license, post a bond and attend county training; she said, “any person firm corporate or corporation that engages in the business of excavating, landscaping, grading or hauling fill within the Shoreland District will need to be licensed by the county.” Staff clarified the rule is intended to regulate contractors working for hire and would not prevent a homeowner from doing work on their own property.

Staff said licenses would be valid for two years with an education requirement every two years; the county will provide trainings and the license fee would cover training costs. Amy said the county plans to include the license fee in the 2026 fee schedule and that the ordinance sections would not be effective until May 1 to allow outreach and training.

The third change amends section 1300 on sanitary systems and water wells to adjust inspection triggers — such as property conveyance, shoreland permits and home expansions — and to allow a property owner to "self‑fail" a septic system on the record if they already know the system will fail and agree to upgrade it, rather than immediately paying for a third‑party inspection. Amy described the provision as a property‑owner option that does not remove the requirement to document system status or to upgrade when required.

During discussion, commissioners asked how lot reductions typically occur and whether the Shoreland licensing requirement would prevent do‑it‑yourself work; staff responded that lot reductions most often arise from property splits and that the licensing requirement targets businesses, not homeowners. Commissioners also asked for clarification about which water bodies are in the Shoreland District; staff said the designation follows the Department of Natural Resources public waters inventory.

The commission opened the meeting for public comment and, after three solicitations, heard none. A motion to recommend adoption of the amendments as written was made and seconded; the commission voted and the motion passed. The commission also approved the Oct. 28, 2025 meeting minutes and then adjourned.

The Planning Commission’s vote is a recommendation; the County Board of Commissioners will consider the ordinance amendments at its next regular meeting and may adopt, amend or reject them. Details not specified in the hearing record include the exact license fee amount and the County Board meeting date when the recommendation will be considered.