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Randy Nelson, et al., Respondents, vs. Wilson Townshop Board of Adjustments, et al... (2002) page 6 <br />Morgan's proposed use of the 21 acres is reasonable because the board found that <br />• there are already multiple non-farm dwellings per quarter-quarter section of land in the <br />ANR district. Further, the division of the property into three parcels is a reasonable use <br />because Holmay and Morgan intend a minimum lot size of five acres, well in excess of <br />the one-acre minimum that section 603.5(5) of the Wilson Township Zoning, Planning, <br />and Building Ordinance specifies. <br />The requirement that the unique circumstances of a parcel for which a variance is <br />sought not be created by the landowner is satisfied because, as noted earlier, the board <br />found that the unique circumstances are the result of the land's natural condition rather <br />than any condition that Holmay created. <br />Finally, the area in which the property is located is a mix of residential, <br />agricultural, and undeveloped land. Building three non-farm dwellings on 21 acres will <br />not, therefore, alter the essential character of the locality. Respondents argue that the <br />board made no finding on this factor. But the board made a finding regarding the <br />• existence of multiple non-farm dwellings per quarter-quarter section of land in close <br />proximity to the parcel for which Morgan and Holmay sought a variance, and the record <br />supports that finding. <br />6. Materially Detrimental to Purpose of Ordinance or to Other Property <br />Under section 506.1, a variance may not be materially detrimental to the purpose of <br />the Wilson Township Zoning, Planning, and Building Ordinance or to other property in the <br />same zone. The board found that the variance is not materially detrimental to either, <br />again citing the presence of multiple non-farm dwellings per quarter-quarter section of land <br />near the parcel for which Morgan and Holmay sought a variance. Respondents argue that <br />the variance is contrary to the township's comprehensive plan because the plan addresses <br />"a concern for the protection of natural resources * * * ,particularly the * * * woodlands <br />and bluffs." See Minn. Stat. § 394.27, subd. 7 (requiring that "the terms of the variance are <br />consistent with the comprehensive plan"). ANR land exists "for the purpose of protecting, <br />promoting, maintaining and enhancing the use of land for agricultural and timber <br />harvesting purposes * * * ." Wilson Township Zoning, Planning, and Building Ordinance <br />§ 603.1. But the comprehensive plan also recognizes that there is a "need for residential <br />