Conditional Use Application
The Otter Tail County Shoreland Management Ordinance regulates the use of land in the Shoreland District, which is any land within 1,000 feet of a lake or within 300 feet of a river.
There are three types of land uses in Otter Tail County:
- Permitted
- Conditional
- Prohibited
A permitted use of land is allowed by default and includes agricultural use and single-family residential use. A prohibited use is not allowed under any circumstance, even with a variance, and includes a new animal feedlots and controlled access lots.
A conditional use is a land use that may be allowed with appropriate restrictions upon finding that certain conditions can be met. The Otter Tail County Planning Commission is the body that determines if a proposed land use can meet conditions and be allowed via a Conditional Use Permit. The Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the County Board, who is the final body to determine if a conditional use permit is allowed. Once a Conditional Use Permit is issued, the permit goes with the land as long as the conditions are met.
The process of obtaining a Conditional Use Permit can take up to several months, depending on the time of the year, the ability for the Planning Commission to view the property, and if additional information is requested by the Planning Commission.
A Conditional Use Permit application must be submitted to the Land & Resource Management office. The application must be received by 12:00pm noon no later than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, except during winter months when there is snow on the ground.
Public Hearings
Public comments regarding applications must be received by 12:00 p.m. the day before the public hearing date. Members of the public wishing to make comments at the public hearing may be present at the public hearing. As an alternative, members of the public wishing to observe and/or make comment on this application may participate in the public hearing virtually. A link to the virtual meeting will be provided on the Planning Commission website under Meetings seven days prior to the public hearing. Comments regarding this application may be expressed at the public hearing, mailed to the Land & Resource Management Office at the above address, or emailed to [email protected].