4.1.
Lime Township Planning Commission
- Meeting Date:
- 05/28/2026
Title
| CYL-0004-26 |
Request of Kent Hays, on behalf of the property owners, Mark and Rachel Burgess, for a final plat for an adjustment of property lines that will create a new parcel combining a total of four lots. The subject property is described as Lot 4 Block 2, Hilgers subdivision AND Outlot D and Outlot E, Eagle Bluff, AND All of Parcel D-2 and Part of Parcel D-1, Blue Earth County Highway Right of Way Plat No. 28, 59618 230th Street, Mankato MN 56001, Lime Township, Blue Earth County (PID R400436177011, R400436177004, R400436177012, and R400436177007).
The anticipated date of Lime Township Board action is June 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mankato Regional Airport.
Applicant
The applicant, Kent Hays, on behalf of the property owners, Mark and Rachel Burgess.
Request
Kent Hays, on behalf of Mark and Rachel Burgess, has requested the review of a final plat for an adjustment of property lines that will create a new parcel by combining four lots. The proposal reconfigures parcels owned by the property owner into one new lot of 4.5 acres.
Location
The subject property is described as Lot 4 Block 2, Hilgers subdivision AND Outlot D and Outlot E, Eagle Bluff, AND All of Parcel D-2 and Part of Parcel D-1, Blue Earth County Highway Right of Way Plat No. 28, 59618 230th Street, Mankato MN 56001, Lime Township, Blue Earth County (PID R400436177011, R400436177004, R400436177012, and R400436177007).
Existing Land Use
The land consists of 4 parcels located north of Eagle Lake and is used for residential purposes.
Zoning
The property is located in Lime Township and is zoned Agriculture.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
The parcels are located in the Shoreland District and in an area defined as an archaeological site. Additionally, there is a ravine located on the southern portion of the parcel ending in "7012", which abuts Eagle Lake.
City Code
The Lime Township Ordinance can be found at this link: Lime Township Ordinances
Review
Kent Hays, on behalf of the property owners, Mark and Rachel Burgess, are requesting a final plat review to allow for an adjustment of property lines that will create a new parcel by combining four lots into one new 4.5-acre lot. The four parcels that will be combined are described as "Outlot E, Lot 1 Block 2 of Hilgers’ Subdivision, Outlot D, and Parcel D-1". The proposal will combine the four parcels and will reconfigure them into Lot 1, Block 1 of Raemar Addition.
There is currently a single-family dwelling located on the lot that the owner of the land currently resides in. As stated in the Lime Township Zoning Ordinance, “The following uses shall be permitted within the A Agriculture District: Single family, non-farm dwellings” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part B Permitted Use, Subpart 4). Therefore, the use of all four parcels being combined will conform to the standards of the Agriculture zoning district.
The proposed Lot 1, Block 1, will meet the Agriculture District lot requirements by combining the parcels into a “lot [that] is not less than one (1) acre” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 1). The replatted land will consist of 4.5 acres, which exceeds the required one (1) acre requirement.
The proposed lot combination conforms to the required width and lengths described in the Lime Township Zoning Ordinance. “Every lot or plot of land on which a dwelling in erected shall have a minimum width of not less than one hundred fifty (150) feet at the building setback line and a minimum depth of not less than one hundred seventy-five (175) feet” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 3). The submitted site plans reflect a width of 328.99 feet and a depth of over 571 feet, thus illustrating conformance with both the required lot width and lot depth requirements per the standards of the Agriculture zoning district.
A single-family dwelling and a detached accessory structure currently reside on the parcel ending in "7004" and conform to the lot coverage requirements listed in the Lime Township Zoning Ordinance that states, “no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the lot area shall be covered by principal and accessory structures” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 4). The home and accessory structure’s square footage is 3,418, which would be a 1.75% lot coverage with the proposed lot combination. Therefore, the request would conform to the maximum lot coverage standards, as it occupies less than 25% of the total lot area.
Blue Earth County has provided commentary on the septic system located on parcel R400436177004, which will require coordination with the agency for a compliance inspection. A condition within the Preliminary plat required the applicant to apply for a compliance inspection with Blue Earth County prior to submission of the final plat application. This condition was met and completed. The applicant coordinated with Blue Earth County, and the County has provided commentary that the “septic system serving the existing house is compliant” and that the “final plat does not seem to negatively impact the current or future septic situation on the property”. Additionally, the County reviewed the well on site and stated the “proposed final plat does not appear to negatively impact the known well situation on this property.” The applicant has fulfilled the condition and is in compliance with Blue Earth County.
Given that there are no known wetlands located across the four parcels, “nor were there any indications of wetlands prior to the road realignment”, a wetland delineation was not ordered (Nick McCabe, Senior Environmental Scientist). However, the owner of the land shall continue to align with the Lime Township Zoning ordinance, Blue Earth County standards, and the Department of Natural Resources standards to protect, preserve, and conserve environmentally sensitive areas and natural resources of the Township.
Access to the site will remain the same off of 230th Street, which aligns with the Lime Township ordinance within the Agriculture district, which states “every lot or plot of land on which a dwelling is erected shall have an approved access to a public right-of-way” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 5). As seen in the provided site plans, the applicant accesses his home of off 230th Street along the easternmost side of Miranda Trail Road. Any changes to this area are prohibited without further review and approval by the Town Board and Blue Earth County.
A completed Preliminary and Final Title opinion letter, written by the developer’s attorney, was submitted by the applicant.
A drainage report describing the current flows, expected flows, and measures to be taken to ensure flows will not cause erosion and sedimentation have been submitted in the final plat application. The report describes how water flows within the property and the applicant will continue to provide erosion control measures to prevent erosion and sedimentation.
There is currently a single-family dwelling located on the lot that the owner of the land currently resides in. As stated in the Lime Township Zoning Ordinance, “The following uses shall be permitted within the A Agriculture District: Single family, non-farm dwellings” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part B Permitted Use, Subpart 4). Therefore, the use of all four parcels being combined will conform to the standards of the Agriculture zoning district.
The proposed Lot 1, Block 1, will meet the Agriculture District lot requirements by combining the parcels into a “lot [that] is not less than one (1) acre” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 1). The replatted land will consist of 4.5 acres, which exceeds the required one (1) acre requirement.
The proposed lot combination conforms to the required width and lengths described in the Lime Township Zoning Ordinance. “Every lot or plot of land on which a dwelling in erected shall have a minimum width of not less than one hundred fifty (150) feet at the building setback line and a minimum depth of not less than one hundred seventy-five (175) feet” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 3). The submitted site plans reflect a width of 328.99 feet and a depth of over 571 feet, thus illustrating conformance with both the required lot width and lot depth requirements per the standards of the Agriculture zoning district.
A single-family dwelling and a detached accessory structure currently reside on the parcel ending in "7004" and conform to the lot coverage requirements listed in the Lime Township Zoning Ordinance that states, “no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the lot area shall be covered by principal and accessory structures” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 4). The home and accessory structure’s square footage is 3,418, which would be a 1.75% lot coverage with the proposed lot combination. Therefore, the request would conform to the maximum lot coverage standards, as it occupies less than 25% of the total lot area.
Blue Earth County has provided commentary on the septic system located on parcel R400436177004, which will require coordination with the agency for a compliance inspection. A condition within the Preliminary plat required the applicant to apply for a compliance inspection with Blue Earth County prior to submission of the final plat application. This condition was met and completed. The applicant coordinated with Blue Earth County, and the County has provided commentary that the “septic system serving the existing house is compliant” and that the “final plat does not seem to negatively impact the current or future septic situation on the property”. Additionally, the County reviewed the well on site and stated the “proposed final plat does not appear to negatively impact the known well situation on this property.” The applicant has fulfilled the condition and is in compliance with Blue Earth County.
Given that there are no known wetlands located across the four parcels, “nor were there any indications of wetlands prior to the road realignment”, a wetland delineation was not ordered (Nick McCabe, Senior Environmental Scientist). However, the owner of the land shall continue to align with the Lime Township Zoning ordinance, Blue Earth County standards, and the Department of Natural Resources standards to protect, preserve, and conserve environmentally sensitive areas and natural resources of the Township.
Access to the site will remain the same off of 230th Street, which aligns with the Lime Township ordinance within the Agriculture district, which states “every lot or plot of land on which a dwelling is erected shall have an approved access to a public right-of-way” (Article 4 Zoning Map and Districts, Section 2 Agriculture, Part F Lot Requirements, Subpart 5). As seen in the provided site plans, the applicant accesses his home of off 230th Street along the easternmost side of Miranda Trail Road. Any changes to this area are prohibited without further review and approval by the Town Board and Blue Earth County.
A completed Preliminary and Final Title opinion letter, written by the developer’s attorney, was submitted by the applicant.
A drainage report describing the current flows, expected flows, and measures to be taken to ensure flows will not cause erosion and sedimentation have been submitted in the final plat application. The report describes how water flows within the property and the applicant will continue to provide erosion control measures to prevent erosion and sedimentation.
Findings
Staff respectfully submits the following findings:
- The proposed use will ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, all lands will be developed with adequate protection provided for the health and safety of residents by requiring necessary services such as properly designed streets and adequate sewage and water service. The applicant will be coordinating plans with Blue Earth County for a compliance inspection of the sewer up to conformance.
- The applicant will continually work with Blue Earth County and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to ensure that effective protection is given to the natural resources of the community, especially groundwater and surface waters within the property.
- The proposed final plat encourages a well-planned division of land through the establishment of adequate design standards, given that the request aligns well with the lot requirements within the Agriculture district.
- The Final Plat will not cause inferior developments that might adversely affect the local tax base, given that the use will remain the same as previous residential use.
- The proposal does not place the cost of improvement against those benefiting from their construction, since the request is to combine four parcels into a singular lot.
- The Final Plat’s outcome will contribute to the established neighborhood, which will be of lasting credit to the community.
- The proposed use will not affect the township or county in facilitating adequate provisions for transportation and other public facilities.
- The proposal does secure the rights of the public with respect to public lands and waters.
- The approval of the final plat will improve land records by the establishment of standards for land divisions, surveys, and plats.
- The safeguard the interests of the public, the homeowner, the subdivider, and local units of government will remain intact since the use will remain the same as the current use; the only difference is the way the land is divided. All parcels will be combined into one lot and utilized for residential use.
- The applicant will prevent, where possible, excessive governmental operating and maintenance costs.
Recommendation
Based on conformance with the conditions of the preliminary plat, staff recommends approval of the final plat.