County board clarifies campground definition

Anyone interested in developing a campground on agriculturally zoned land in Rock County will need a conditional use permit before proceeding, according to an ordinance update proposed by the county’s planning and zoning board.
A public hearing to finalize the committee’s definition of a campground and for making campgrounds a conditional use is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the commissioners’ room of the Rock County Courthouse.
For several months the planning and zoning board reviewed existing ordinances from other counties before amending its current ordinance.
The board also examined the state’s compliance measures for campgrounds.
The board’s proposal defines a campground as “any area of property, whether privately or publically owned, used on a daily, nightly, weekly or longer basis for the accommodation of five or more tents, pickup campers, motorhomes, pop-up campers, trailers or recreational camping vehicles as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health.”
Existing campgrounds of five or more spots may be subject to obtaining a conditional use permit in order to continue operating in the county, according to County Administrator Kyle Oldre.
“That’s something that will be discussed at the public hearing,” he said.
Questions rose recently about the county’s current campground ordinance, which Oldre described as confusing and vague.
The proposed ordinance “cleans it all up,” he said.
The health department set standards for water supply, sewage disposal, toilets, shower facilities, garbage, refuse, insect and rodent control.
In addition to obtaining a license from the health department, the zoning board also recommended applicants allow at least 2,000 square feet for each campsite and be located no closer than a half mile from any feedlot.
Full text of the proposed ordinance is available at the Land Management Office at 311 W. Gabrielson Road in Luverne.
Comments on the proposed ordinance can be completed in writing or in person.
All written comments must be submitted to the county administrator by 5 p.m. Friday, May 18.
The opportunity for verbal comments or questions will be made available at the May 21 public hearing.