The Nisswa City Council on Wednesday, June 18, denied a request to take privately owned property to construct a backage road for a possible future development at the intersection of Highway 371 and County Road 77, at Sportland Corners.
Rob Johnson of Denali Companies represents owners of that northwest quadrant of property, across County Road 77 from the Holiday station. Owners are Audrey Bragstad and Terry Moores.
Johnson said his clients have owned the property for more than 40 years and are seeking to sell it. However, lack of adequate site access has hindered negotiations with possible buyers.
Curt Johnson, also of Denali Companies, represents a national company that is interested in the property, but only with the site access issue, as well as a sewer capacity issue, resolved.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation won't allow access to the parcel from Highway 371. Both MnDOT and Crow Wing County seek a backage road connecting County Road 77 to Hazelwood Drive.
However, the property owners do not own that property necessary to build the road to provide proper access. Marjorie Nolan is one property owner affected. She attended the council meeting, but declined to comment at this time.
The Johnsons both said building the backage road would follow the city's comprehensive plan.
Council member Bill Groves said he couldn't justify condemning property to put in a short road. Mayor Brian Lehman said he'd prefer the issue be solved in the private sector before condemning property. He asked the Johnsons to contact the landowners to seek a solution.
