County approves campground ordinance

A proposed campground east of Luverne can move forward under an amended ordinance passed by county commissioners May 21.
Mike Davis and Billy Cowell, both of Luverne, proposed creating a campground along 111st Street southeast of the Luverne City Park in Luverne Township.
However, campgrounds weren’t a permitted use in ag districts in Rock County until commissioners unanimously supported amending the current ordinance.
“Prior to this, the only district that did allow campgrounds was the shore land district as a conditional use,” said Eric Hartman, director of the county’s Land Management Office.
Ag districts encompass 90 percent of Rock County.
As a result of the commissioners’ action, anyone can develop campgrounds in an ag district by going through the conditional use process through the LMO.
Both Davis and Cowell supported the amended ordinance, which requires a license through the Minnesota Department of Health and a public hearing before the conditional use permit is granted.
“The department of health has a pretty good standard,” Davis said. “It’s pretty lengthy, so they pretty much cover a lot of bases.”
Davis said they are currently working with Southwest Health and Human Services to obtain the license, which includes a review that may take eight to 10 weeks to complete.
Preliminary plans and progress on the 13-acre former Boy Scouts camp was presented to the commissioners.
“We would like to start with 20 sites and expand to 50 eventually on this particular site,” Davis said. “It’s coming. We’ve got a lot of land cleared.”
Rural water was brought to the site last year with electric installation coming this year.
“We would really like it in the ground this year and open for next season,” Davis said.
“This ordinance has been a long time coming,” said County Administrator Kyle Oldre. “I applaud their (Davis and Cowell’s) efforts. It’s nice to see it’s coming to fruition so their project can move forward as well as others in the county.”
The amended ordinance defines a campground as “any property, whether privately or publically used, used on a daily, nightly, weekly, or for the accommodation of five or more tents, pickup campers, motorhomes, pop-up campers, trailer or recreational vehicle as defined by Minnesota Department of Health.”
In addition to a DHS license, campsites must be at least 2,000 square feet in area and be located no closer than one-half mile from any feedlots.