Grand Marais planning commission approves accessory uses for schools, churches

The Grand Marais Planning Commission approved an amendment on Sept. 30 that will allow schools and churches in the city’s R-1 residential zoning district to have permitted accessory uses.

The amendment follows an initial request from the Great Expectations Foundation, which oversees Great Expectations School, to rezone the property it leases to the charter school from R-1 permanent residential to Highway Mixed Use, or HMU. The request also included adding schools and daycares to the HMU allowed uses.

The request was presented to the planning commission during the Aug. 26 meeting, but then tabled until the September meeting after commissioners expressed reservations about removing R-1 property from the city’s residential zoning district.

Over the past month, city staff and the Great Expectations Foundation, represented by Tim Kennedy and Howard Hedstrom, worked on an alternative amendment to allow permitted accessory use to the existing zoning.

Kennedy and Hedstrom explained during the August and September planning meetings that the request stems from the foundation’s desire to lease unused space in the newly constructed school building for commercial office use.

Hedstrom, chairman of the Great Expectations Foundation, said declining student enrollment has reduced the amount of space the school needs.

“We’re down to 85 students. We built for 150, and they can’t afford to pay for all the space,” Hedstrom said.

Hedstrom said the foundation reduced the lease amount for the charter school based on the space the school is currently using. He said the foundation is now trying to develop a plan to market the extra space.

During the meeting, city staff, planning commissioners, and Kennedy and Hedstrom discussed current and historic examples of local schools and churches leasing or allowing use of office space by outside entities, such as the Grand Marais Playhouse and, in the past, WTIP Community Radio when it operated in ISD 166 before moving to its current location.

Several members of the public, which included staff or parents whose children attend GES, spoke in support of the amendment during the public comment period.

Hedstrom and Kennedy said they understand that some commercial uses would not be appropriate near young children or on school property, and that they would screen potential tenants to ensure their businesses are compatible with the school.

Hedstrom said the foundation has already received interest from potential tenants, including music teachers and therapists.

“I think this is a good solution,” said Planning Commissioner Anton Moody during the Sept. 30 meeting. “I think this is the way to go about it kind of honors everything that we’re trying to protect in R-1, and it’s the best way to go.”

The commission then unanimously approved the amended language as a permitted accessory use.

The amendment does not take effect immediately. It will head next to the Grand Marais City Council for review and, if passed, will require two readings, followed by publication in the Cook County News Herald.

Kalli Hawkins October 1, 2026