Wrenshall adopts camping ordinance

After months of discussion and even contention, the Wrenshall city council adopted a campground ordinance June 7. The measure passed with a 4-1 vote, with councilor Duane Ziebarth dissenting. The campground ordinance requires permitting with the city and a public hearing prior to approval, as well as planning with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency over stormwater coverage prior to any dirt work being done. Additionally, each site must be a minimum of 40 feet wide. Campgrounds or RV parks will also need to be at least 5 acres with a minimum of 10 sites. RVs must also be 25 feet from property lines, with a continuous limit of nine months rental for one person.

During the February public hearing about the ordinance, Jeff Bloom, owner of the Wrenshall General Store and an RV park, doubted the need for an ordinance and said it would affect his planned expansion of the park on 23 acres where he operates his businesses at the south edge of town. Roughly 100 of Bloom’s supporters also expressed no interest in the city adopting a campground ordinance. But the council has repeatedly insisted on a need for ordinances to be prepared in the event there are future campgrounds.

“Current city code does not have any sections on recreational camping or RV parks and this ordinance will establish rules for any new camping areas,” mayor Gary Butala said in February.

Bloom has requested to have his property and businesses, including a self-storage business and auction company, annexed into neighboring Silver Brook Township.