Online edition
Your Hometown News since 1897
Chokio, MN 56221
May 10th
2012 issue
Chokio Review • P.O. Box 96 Chokio, MN 56221 • Site Map
City of Morris, MN
Residents object to possible RV park on Perkins Lake site
by Nick Ripperger
The age-old battle of what property owners can do with their own property when that use might infringe on the rights of their neighbors is playing out now on Perkins Lake in Stevens County.
The site is the location of the old Perkins Resort, located on a secluded peninsula between the two bodies of water that make up the lake (the northern portion of which is also called Middle Pomme de Terre). It once was a destination for folks to go for rolling skating, dances, receptions, and summer water recreation. The pavilion was the center of activity there.
Later it became Luther Crest Bible Camp, and as such became less of a public destination and more of a retreat location for private groups.
Now the current owners, B&H Holdings, want to revive to some extent the old Perkins Resort days, and once again make it a local spot for reunions, anniversaries, church gatherings, business meetings, and other similar uses.
That appears to be fine with most neighbors who also live on the peninsula. What some don’t like is the possibility of establishing a seasonal camping site, or RV park, on the site.
B&H Holdings, which consists primarily of local residents, submitted a request to the county Planning and Zoning commission in April to have the site rezoned from its current S-2 designation to a new S-3 designation, which would open it up to some commercial uses, including seasonal camping.
The Planning and Zoning commission unanimously approved the request, but the B&H owners, saying that they were acknowledging the objections of their neighbors, have decided not to pursue the seasonal camping proposal “in the near future.”
That was what they presented to the county board last week where the new ordinance had its first reading. The ordinance must have a second reading and the approval of at least four of the five commissioners before it becomes effective.
During the public hearing, Jon Backman, one of the B&H partners, told the commissioners, “We didn’t plan to create any hardships. We have heard the concerns and met with the property owners. The biggest issue is the seasonal campground. That was never our first priority. We’d like to move forward, but not apply for a seasonal campground [conditional use permit.]”
Backman went on to say his group instead would promote overnight camping, use of the cabins on the site, and the pavilion for gatherings.
He also commented that his group had met with members of the Nyroca Club, a hunting club from the Twin Cities that also owns a site on the peninsula. Backman said he didn’t understand the club’s objections since they use their property primarily in October and November, while B&H’s season would be over in September.
Michael O’Reilley, who has lived with his wife Marie next door to the former Luther Crest for 22 years, agreed that the possibility of a seasonal campground at the site was his and his wife’s only objection.
“The RV park remains a possibility in the future, if not now,” he told the board. It would be too close to his property and would affect the secluded quality of life for them and their neighbors, he said.
“B&H could use the pavilion for weddings and other events. We would encourage them to do just that. It would be profitable and economic,” said O’Reilley.
Neighbor John Stephens echoed O’Reilley’s concerns about the seasonal campground. “I’m not worried about them [B&H]. I’m worried about the next buyer. The potential is there to change all of our lifestyles drastically. It would change the setting.”
B&H member Ben Hentges said the O’Reilleys knew when they bought their property that it was next to a resort, and that they and their neighbors could have purchased it themselves to ensure that it wouldn’t be used for commercial purposes. He also dismissed the Nyroca Club’s concerns about possible trespassing and damage to their property as unfounded.
“Lawsuits are being threatened because of change and growth,” said Hentges. “We have good intentions for the county and the community.
“The future is unforeseen. We would like to improve the property. We don’t want to go through this again, we just want to get going. We want to go to work.”
Jackie Hentges, also a B&H member, said she understood the special nature of the area and wouldn’t allow any “disrespectful use.”
Stephens asked if the change to an S-3 designation would affect neighboring property values. Board chair Larry Sayre replied that would be a matter for the County Assessor to determine.
The second reading of the proposed ordinance and another public hearing was scheduled for the next county board meeting on May 15 at 10:00.
Alberta project
In other business, County Highway Engineer Brian Giese said that Riley Bros. Construction wanted to get going on the Alberta main street project as soon as possible, but the application process of getting approval from the BNSF railroad for boring under the tracks was “extremely painful.” The board instructed him to continue with the process.
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C-A Prom
The Chokio-Alberta junior class sponsored a lovely prom Saturday evening. Juniors pictured are: (Back, l-r) Katelyn Vogt, Ben Alberts, Sadie Fischer, Dillon McNally, Ally Morehouse; (Front) Clay Staples, Chandler Erickson, Tracy Kleindl, Tyler Ontis, and Austin Dierks.
