Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Lake County Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing at 2:30 p.m. in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room (SRRR), 616 Third Ave, Two Harbors, Minnesota. Lake County Board Members Present: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich, District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board Member(s) Absent: None. Also present in the SRRR: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Interim County Auditor Ronelle “Ronni” Radle, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Lisa B. Hanson, County Veterans Services Officer (CVSO) Brad Anderson, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan. Present via interactive technology: Assistant County Attorney Russell Conrow.
A sign-in sheet was circulated and signed by the following individuals who were present at the public hearing: Ronald Lanthier (petitioner), Katya Gordon (newspaper reporter), and neighboring property owners Chris Hatfield; Donald Daniel; and Charles Heise. Other members of the public were present.
On October 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., a public hearing was conducted, pursuant to Lake County Board Resolution No. 25101413, adopted on October 14, 2025, issuing an order on the Lanthier Cartway Petition and Setting a Public Hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments and consider the petition.
The Lanthier Petition for Establishment of a Cartway includes several exhibits for ease of reference. Exhibit A is a Plat Map with an area shaded in orange color, where the cartway is requested. Exhibit B is a Lake County Highway Department Application for Access Driveway Permit signed by applicant Ronald Lanthier on April 17, 2017, along with a communication dated April 26, 2017, from the Lake County Highway Department that the entrance permit is for construction within the road right-of-way only and informing that any additional grading, filling, or excavation may possibly need a permit by the Land Use Department. Exhibit C includes two Trespass Orders served by Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) against Ronald Lanthier. Trespass Orders are dated August 12, 2025, by Charles Heise; and August 7, 2025, by Donald Lee Daniel. These orders name Ronald Lanthier as a Trespassed Party, informing him that he is trespassed from specific properties. Exhibit D includes Zoning Information for Tax Parcel No. 25-5311-03370 (the Lanthier (petitioner’s) property).
Chairperson Rich Sve opened the public hearing and invited Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston to provide an overview. Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston reviewed that on August 29, 2025, the Lake County Board of Commissioners’ Office received a Petition from Ronald Lanthier requesting the establishment of a Cartway pursuant to Minn. Stat. § § 164.07 and 164.08 to provide access to property identified as Lake County Tax Parcel No. 25-5311-0337. This parcel is currently landlocked, located in Unorganized Territory No. 2 (UT2).
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston reviewed that township boards handle cartway petitions; in the absence of a township board, the County Board serves as the township board for Unorganized Territories. On September 9, 2025, the Lake County Board of Commissioners adopted Lake County Board Resolution No. 25090902, Resolution Requiring a Bond or Other Security on a Cartway Proceeding. Mr. Lanthier made the bond deposit on October 3, 2025. Lake County Administrator Huddleston shared a map showing the total area of the location of the proposed cartway. Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza explained the history of the Town Road.
Chairperson Rich Sve asked the petitioner if he would like to give a brief overview of what he is requesting. Mr. Lanthier addressed the Board and reviewed the history of purchasing the property and applying with the Lake County Highway Department permitting a driveway. Mr. Lanthier reviewed that the requested cartway would follow the location of an existing driveway, permitted by the county, and installed by the petitioner. The proposed cartway would cross over two adjoining landowners’ parcels. The cartway is requested specifically along the existing permitted driveway to minimize disruption, as this driveway is already in place and currently provides practical access. Mr. Lanthier stated that a previous neighboring property owner (a landowner prior to property being sold to new owners) allowed Lanthier to access his property without an easement. He stated that his driveway was in place in May 2017 prior to Heise and Daniel purchasing their properties. Mr. Lanthier discussed conversations with former Lake County Highway Superintendent Neil Udenberg. Mr. Lanthier also discussed efforts that he has made to clean up and make improvements to his property. He talked about being trespassed from the Heise and Daniel properties.
Chairperson Rich Sve explained the public hearing process and advised attendees that each person would be provided an opportunity to give testimony. Chairperson Rich Sve asked Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard to discuss the statutory requirements. Attorney Nygaard summarized the statutory requirements. She advised that the map is for illustrative purposes. Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza provided a history of the Town Road, which is a 66” wide easement. Engineer DiPiazza referred to the map for illustrative purposes showing property lines, section lines, the curve to the road, where private property is located, and the total area of where a cartway could be placed. Chairperson Sve inquired about an estimated time that the survey would be prepared. Attorney Nygaard advised that we are working on that process right now and that it will take some time. Chairperson Sve inquired where that survey will be available if people want to look at it. Attorney Nygaard advised that it will be a public document and will be shared with the petitioner and the adjoining property owners in preparation for the next date for a continued public hearing.
Chairperson Rich Sve opened up the public hearing for public comments. Mr. Charles Heise addressed the Board. Mr. Heise stated that there are less intrusive ways to access the Lanthier property. One example is an existing trail to the north that almost comes right into Lanthier’s property. Mr. Heise is concerned about designated wetlands, pollution, and garbage in the yard. Mr. Heise characterized the Lanthier property as a junkyard. One of the reasons that Mr. Heise had Mr. Lanthier trespassed from the property is from Lanthier’s junkyard spilling over onto the Heise property. Mr. Heise advised that they have had local law enforcement present multiple times due to Mr. Lanthier’s actions and trespassing on their property. Mr. Heise discussed the situation of the petitioner’s current driveway access being located on neighboring property’s right-of-way. Mr. Heise stated that there is all State land to the north of the petitioner’s property.
Chairperson Rich Sve asked the County Attorney to talk about the statutory requirements for a cartway. Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard advised about statutory language in Minn. Stat. § § 164.07 and 164.08. Ultimately it is up to the Board to determine the appropriate route. Lake County Land Commissioner Nate Eide explained that the land to the north is County land and is not an option for access due to statutory requirements.
Mr. Heise suggested that Mr. Lanthier could park on the road and walk in for access to the Lanthier property, rather than having a driveway to access the property. Mr. Heise suggested that there could be no permitted uses on the Lanthier property due to wetland regulations. Lake County Commissioner Derrick Goutermont reminded attendees that this public hearing is regarding easement to property, not a public hearing regarding land use. Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy clarified that the presence of wetlands does not mean that nothing can be done on the property. Director McCarthy advised that the proposed cartway route is less disruptive than other suggested routes that would impact wetlands. Land Commissioner Nate Eide left the public hearing at 2:58 p.m.
Chairperson Rich Sve asked if anyone else would like to provide testimony. Mr. Donald Daniel addressed the Board. Mr. Daniel spoke about the property access and advised that Lanthier’s driveway is on the Daniel property’s corner. Mr. Daniel had it surveyed and brought a copy of the survey to the public hearing. Reasons for trespass include property line disputes; Lanthier allegedly put a driveway onto Daniel’s property without permission and allegedly removed surveying markers from the property. Mr. Donald Daniel stated that after Mr. Charles Heise told Mr. Ronald Lanthier to remove his driveway from the Heise property, that Mr. Lanthier moved the location of his driveway from the Heise property onto the Daniel property. Mr. Daniel spoke about how Mr. Lanthier did not obtain any easements for the driveway. Mr. Daniel would rather that Mr. Lanthier find another way in and not continue to aggravate the neighborhood. Chairperson Rich Sve asked if anyone else would like to provide testimony. Mr. Chris Hatfield addressed the Board. Mr. Hatfield expressed that he agrees with what Mr. Heise and Mr. Daniel stated.
Chairperson Sve provided the petitioner with another opportunity to comment. Petitioner Ronald Lanthier stated that he had a certified road from the county. He discussed plans for a greenhouse to grow fruits and vegetables and plans to share food with local food shelves. Mr. Lanthier stated that people will benefit from those resources. He stated that about four or five years ago, he had the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), Forestry, Fisheries and Wetlands, come out to the property and see the beaver pond and that they agreed that he could lower the pond to a level of 18-24 inches, which he has done.
Chairperson Sve requested that Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard review next steps. Attorney Nygaard noted that the property meets the requirements for a cartway and commented that the next step is to obtain a survey of the property, which will be a public document and will be shared with the adjoining landowners prior to reconvening a public hearing on the petition for establishment of a cartway. Attorney Nygaard invited the neighbors in attendance to provide copies of the surveys that they have obtained. There is not a cartway route recommendation from staff at this time. It is recommended that the County Board continue the cartway hearing at a later date, to be determined. County Commissioners had questions about the road. Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza advised regarding the road alignment.
The Lake County Board of Commissioners’ Office has received no written comments in advance of this public hearing. Mr. Donald Daniel provided a letter dated October 27, 2025, of written comments at the public hearing on October 28, 2025. Chairperson Sve asked if there were any other citizens who wished to speak regarding the proposed cartway route; no others requested the opportunity to speak at that time. This public hearing was closed at 3:12 PM on October 28, 2025. Upon receipt of the completed survey and appraisals, a public hearing regarding alignment, damages and costs associated with establishment of this cartway will be scheduled and the cartway hearing will be reconvened.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
