Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Lake County Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Ave, Two Harbors, Minnesota. Board Members Present: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich, District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, and District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Board Members Absent: District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Also absent: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston. Also present: Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Interim County Auditor / Treasurer Ronni Radle, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan, Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) Director Matthew Johnson, and LCHRA Board member Paul Iversen. Several members of the public were also present.
A public hearing was convened at 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments on a proposed use change of land in Lake County, Minnesota, for Parcel # 27-5707-30790 and Parcel #27-5707-30730. The proposed use for the Parcels is to be transferred to the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) to lead to the development of affordable housing. The Lake County Board of Commissioners’ office has received no written comments in advance of the public hearing.
Chairperson Derrick Goutermont opened the public hearing and invited LCHRA Director Matthew Johnson to provide an overview. LCHRA Director Matthew Johnson discussed that the Lake County Board adopted a resolution approving LCHRA’s request to purchase the property for less than market value, in order to exchange for a parcel in the City of Silver Bay, next to the Silverpointe apartments, to build work force housing as the project Silverpointe II, utilizing funding from the Minnesota Work force Housing Development Program. LCHRA Director Matt Johnson advised that there are two interested developers for the Silverpointe II development. He provided two different maps showing the locations of the parcels and the site plan. These parcels are also identified in Lake County Board Resolution No. 24042307, adopted on April 23, 2024. The value of the smaller parcel (approximately one-quarter acre) is comparable to the value of the two larger parcels combined (40 acres each, for a total of 80 acres). LCHRA Director Matthew Johnson discussed financing for the project and that this land swap pro vides an avenue for acquiring a necessary parcel without using taxpayer money from the HRA levy.
Chairperson Goutermont opened the floor for public comments. Several adjacent property owners were present, including Brent Anderson, Brian Weeks, Steven VanHouse, and Vern and Susan Hoff. Lake County resident Tanya Bruzek was also present. Several questions were asked regarding the estimated tax values of the parcels. Comments were made that the notice was vague and did not refer to a land swap. Property owner Steven Van House advised regarding his plans to use the property for grouse hunting and has no plans to mine gravel.
Interim County Auditor / Treasurer Ronni Radle advised about the reverter clause on conditional use properties. Chairperson Goutermont closed the public comment portion of the public hearing and opened the floor for County Commissioners’ dis cussion. County Commissioners asked clarifying questions. LCHRA Director Johnson advised on the broker’s opinion, included in Spring 2024 as part of a grant application.
This Public Hearing was adjourned at 2:56 PM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Derrick Goutermont, Acting Board
Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
- The motion for adoption of the County Board Resolution No. 25092307 is reflected in the County Board of Commissioners’ official proceedings of the Board of Commissioners meeting on September 23,2025.
