[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6056567,"mediaKeyId","3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8","parentId",3309555,"title","Planning commission advances draft data‑center ordinance changes to public hearing after energy, stormwater revisions","audioSeconds",388,"startMs",5669000,"endMs",6057000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8&start=5669&end=6057","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8/thumbnail_5669000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6056567/Brainerd-City/Crow-Wing-County/Minnesota/Planning-commission-advances-draft-datacenter-ordinance-changes-to-public-hearing-after-energy-stormwater-revisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056567-dbb74931528a6ec1ab5e298ed777ddc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933959&Signature=RPSHnmMrbqM7wGUXSVGavmUaIugMMvUOPBQ1cWwuPLE7XFEGeUSeoPDarPMqgSONOMwfV-w0MOZQc8ahUJtbxLGXWBGssCoXdQ9qs79h6px-Bal50QUQp1iuq62VBs6QMZNp02lTggK~nUp-WBE88UszfzFA~5-zVkHDYWalsATOZT0ilkadIJeT4wKjK~NnytDglBg47B7oArlC3yweeqzyaFKTcFT~~mxFOuTcsjO4tghdFVLaSWdyNR1orGrt3dLNWuq7q~IiewzgINOakW04sCNRE-lDg-gkifSRL7lTJ3jJ2WviN2awAYYso55p2tGCPMiMVdDYO-ZtRyJ6tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Of Council Brainerd, MN","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Brainerd Planning Commission on March 19 voted to advance proposed amendments to its data‑center ordinance to a public hearing, directing staff to finalize technical language on energy, water/wastewater and hazardous‑waste planning.

Staff said the draft has been revised several times and highlighted three items for commission review: (1) clarifying that voluntary curtailment or temporary shutdowns are not equivalent to a power outage for the purposes of generator use; (2) making the operator — rather than the developer — responsible for hazardous‑waste planning; and (3) requiring a water and wastewater plan and, for larger loads, a system‑impact study to ensure the local utilities and transmission owners can reliably serve the proposed facility.

Commissioners debated the appropriate power threshold that should trigger a formal transmission or system‑impact study. Staff noted prior data‑center proposals had been in the 20–25 megawatt range and suggested that the commission consider whether the one‑megawatt threshold in the draft was too low; one commissioner suggested three megawatts as an alternative. The city’s public utilities director had recommended the one‑megawatt threshold in an earlier review, but the commission left that number open for final staff wording ahead of the hearing.

Commissioners also asked that staff confirm procedural steps for MPCA sewer-extension permits in the code and ensure the public utilities department reviews the water/wastewater plan before a CUP is granted. With those edits, the commission voted unanimously by voice to schedule a public hearing on the ordinance amendments.

(Ending) Staff will prepare the revised ordinance language and schedule the public hearing; the commission’s action sends the draft to a hearing stage where public comment will be taken before any recommendation goes to City Council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Brainerd - Planning Commission - 3/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission advanced proposed amendments to the city’s data‑center ordinance to a public hearing, asking staff to incorporate feedback on power thresholds, water/wastewater reviews and hazardous‑waste language before the hearing.","taxTitle","Brainerd City, Crow Wing County, Minnesota","taxId",70865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056572,"Commission approves conditional use permit for equipment and trailer sales at 1801 Mill Avenue",0,6312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8&start=6312&end=6312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8/thumbnail_6312000.jpg","/articles/6056572/Brainerd-City/Crow-Wing-County/Minnesota/Commission-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-equipment-and-trailer-sales-at-1801-Mill-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056572-b376fede25743a4e3b8881039cb6a4d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933959&Signature=ARtwDem4vHgbIL3IBTVIyf-vkh6UHEzvr~GI2vcJ-fYFr5hCmhAmjfAhKSaIFxr7x9RVo9l870VncKLzl-DDfAJDvnpJcDq2jl7yqYP-w66Y1kbnfqdn82GudtScgcGsWwc1hI9ev2NNMT5Qxv7Xc7jHDyirkRlKVarTer7p7pRaaUVdON0epHaEmENaI8fi2gFPZM-yzonY-LzSu82Hz6IvaunvshHdsNTqTY6-lT8vM2fhSmGgcYWFxBJj~Gofrz4ZUD~61zQO5nt-xwkwScK~TeWMAepu9LOLQEH7MRzDNimRYZTo96pHXyTQgvt9TVuEfTVhDjOB1aT~wGz6pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brainerd Planning Commission on March 19 recommended City Council approval of a conditional use permit allowing outdoor sales and display of trailers and outdoor equipment at 1801 Mill Avenue.

Community Development staff told the commission the site sits in the General Industrial (GI) district, where auto/trailer dealerships and outdoor equipment sales are permitted with an approved CUP. Staff recommended approval and suggested removing the zoning code’s screening requirement for outside sales areas, noting that display areas are meant to be visible to the public and that the property historically operated without screening. The city engineer raised no concerns with paving and stormwater at the preliminary stage; final paving and stormwater plans will be reviewed at permit stage.

Property owner Mike Higgins said he anticipates tenants who will rent yard space to display tow‑behind trailers and small equipment and that signage would follow the city permitting process. Commissioners questioned signage and tenant arrangements; Higgins said multiple tenants could use the site and that signage and lighting changes would go through the city’s sign‑permit process.

A motion to recommend approval, including staff’s suggestion to remove screening requirements for outside sales areas, passed by roll call. The commission forwarded its recommendation to the City Council, which will consider the CUP at its April 7 meeting.

(Ending) The applicant will need to secure any sign or lighting permits and meet final paving and stormwater requirements at the building-permit stage; council action is required for final approval.","The Planning Commission voted to recommend City Council approve a conditional use permit allowing outdoor sales of trailers and equipment at 1801 Mill Avenue, subject to zoning sign and lighting requirements and with screening requirements for outside sales removed.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056576,"Commission recommends conditional use permit for My Neighbor to Love Coalition boarding house, with conditions",2550,2726000,5276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8&start=2726&end=5276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8/thumbnail_2726000.jpg","/articles/6056576/Brainerd-City/Crow-Wing-County/Minnesota/Commission-recommends-conditional-use-permit-for-My-Neighbor-to-Love-Coalition-boarding-house-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056576-8b67bbc825aee5e9ac12d10faea189c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933959&Signature=KYn2NRkK8Ca~k6SfkUycn7kQkgi0p8kC2JcM9lib-Yc8LfA6xqT9E1sH-H3pOrXrlghXO24fuWM59zaxOE4W61dCMWMrGJ4-r~OhMyLQjUZsh1JEnfQUKSCi7syHhKI~co2GqBvYHarIItg0nabXba2mq-wWz8a~zy3Z~HZUTpWUfq54R7TOQT1kWymMFUAoWV-zFWXYYzzF-sVRTwU6FIpefuFc6197G7-jmMxH4PRfh6JBKXCE52nxyzv9YJQ3HcCIzy8cP0-bw7xtxiWaZfLcbT-dxXC~7gqXtzEsOQMiN1jSfkPdbF2rW~72p~wjprpiT9EB-XT60KpMOH7uTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brainerd Planning Commission on March 19 recommended that the City Council approve a conditional use permit (CUP) for a mixed-use boarding house proposed by My Neighbor to Love Coalition for property on Northwest Third Street.

Community Development staff summarized the request and recommended approval with conditions: the applicant must start the project within 18 months, complete a boundary-line adjustment so a required stormwater retention basin sits on the same parcel as the boarding house prior to issuance of a building permit, and meet final stormwater and grading requirements. Staff noted the city engineer had not raised concerns with the preliminary grading and stormwater plans but emphasized final SWPPP and storm calculations would be required at permit stage.

Vicki Kinney, representing the applicant, described the multi‑phase Creekside Community Development project: phase 1 fourplexes are occupied, a 12‑plex is near completion with a target move‑in in April, and subsequent phases would include the boarding house and additional buildings. Kinney said the boarding-house rooms are intended to provide longer-term, low-rent housing for people who might not require or be suited to a full apartment. On current rents, she said fourplex units start at about $450 a month (tenant pays utilities) and two-bedroom units at about $600; rents are month-to-month. The applicant said phase timing depends on grant awards and construction bids.

Neighbors and renters at the hearing gave mixed comments. Supporters called boarding houses a long-standing, useful form of affordable housing. A neighbor objecting to the CUP argued the proposed development underutilizes the site relative to the TN2 zoning density standard and expressed concern about the large, disturbed construction area and ongoing site stabilization work.

After discussion commissioners raised three topics in conditions and deliberation: preserving existing trees versus required grading and stormwater needs; ensuring adequate site stabilization and landscaping; and incorporating modest design details from the city’s single‑family standards to help the building fit the surrounding neighborhood. A motion to recommend approval as presented by staff passed on a roll-call vote; the commission will forward its recommendation to the City Council for final action at the April 7 meeting.

(Ending) The applicant will need to secure final stormwater, grading and permit approvals, complete the boundary-line adjustment for the retention basin, and satisfy the 18-month project start condition specified in the staff recommendation; the council will consider the CUP on April 7.","The Planning Commission on March 19 recommended City Council approve a conditional use permit for a mixed-use boarding house proposed by My Neighbor to Love Coalition, subject to an 18-month start requirement, boundary-line adjustment for stormwater and other standard conditions.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056581,"Planning commission recommends one-year trial allowing Bridges of Hope to extend summer operations",2529,109000,2638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8&start=109&end=2638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309555-a35f704a5bb824e087426ac63a27d0e8/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6056581/Brainerd-City/Crow-Wing-County/Minnesota/Planning-commission-recommends-one-year-trial-allowing-Bridges-of-Hope-to-extend-summer-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056581-dec86a83a9dab1403ba130968f18ad1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933959&Signature=EnWs839wVzd9H8Mz8hnSZfbJwea8nhx7lBBdU6aHci4MvXHOppwlXI6aA0Z8NAoQSxQu18QCrwY1mvJwpLnzPB5BtBVf5Ydx67hmJmyVDXORB7noeA8YipkFxxlBydqMmN3sC7RxnNry59H~cgnA-FIz~GH6Du8ZVh0-y-WPCeoWwlUZ1FX4ywJo920Q0Prls5Tc~zqJVmksqIO~kWLijWKm8TapH6JLQnfO3Jgu~re41-QzYzZP7w1lxljP2X1RyiWN4jl7NbYw5UFJbIGbb2QCrPu7wCiFH2Jx5IrNd4GJy4QTQFQ~ECEiBhZUYnGT7sGwmDjjTDYJ1XUXXZ8REA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brainerd Planning Commission on March 19 recommended that the City Council approve a one-year pilot allowing the Bridges of Hope emergency shelter at 1926 South Seventh to operate outside its current September–April schedule.

Staff had recommended approval of the interim use permit (IUP) only under the existing seasonal conditions — operation September 1 through April 30 — with the IUP to expire June 30, 2028, and with annual reports to council. Community Development staff also noted police data that showed an increase in incidents at or within one block of the shelter and recommended the city retain the ability to suspend or revoke the permit upon a police chief recommendation.

Janice Shogren, representing Bridges of Hope, told the commission the shelter opened in December 2021 and has helped 508 different individuals through more than 12,000 nights of shelter. She disputed characterizing all police interactions as crimes and said that after adjusting for calls that would have occurred independently of the shelter, the facility averages about 1.6 police interactions per month. \"If the bridge does not remain open for the summer, interactions between law enforcement and the unhoused population will likely increase,\" Shogren said.

Rachel Zita, adult services supervisor for Crow Wing County, described county-level casework and resource constraints and urged the commission to consider the shelter’s role in connecting people to services during warmer months when other options are limited.

Commission discussion cited the city’s camping bans and the effect of concentrating services at a single, supervised location. After deliberation a motion to recommend a one-year trial of expanded operations passed on a roll-call vote with three votes in favor and two opposed. The commission’s action is advisory; the final decision rests with the Brainerd City Council, which is scheduled to consider the permit at its April 7 meeting.

The record to the commission included the staff summary of required IUP conditions: facility occupancy limits tied to the fire marshal, staffing during operating hours, a 24-hour contact provided to Brainerd Police and Crow Wing County Community Services, prohibition on outdoor storage of resident possessions (except bicycle racks), and compliance with building, fire and health codes. Staff also recommended the facility provide an annual report to council prior to September 1 and noted that the police chief could request council review if disorderly use is documented.

Supporters at the hearing — shelter staff, volunteers, county behavioral-health staff and several people who had used the shelter — described the shelter as a bridge to services, stable housing or treatment, and urged the commission to allow a pilot to avoid displacing people into unregulated outdoor encampments. Opponents and some commissioners raised concerns about out-of-area users and the documented police calls near the site.

Next steps: the Planning Commission record and recommendation will go to the Brainerd City Council for final action at its April 7 meeting. The commission’s recommendation, the staff conditions, and the police data submitted with the application will be part of the council’s packet.

(Ending) The commission framed its recommendation as a trial with an explicit path for the police chief and council to act if neighborhood impacts increase; the council will make the final determination in April.","The Brainerd Planning Commission on March 19 voted to recommend that the City Council approve a one-year trial allowing Bridges of Hope (Bridge on Seventh) to operate beyond its current seasonal schedule, forwarding the matter to the council for final action on April 7.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission advances draft data‑center ordinance changes to public hearing after energy, stormwater revisions

Commission approves conditional use permit for equipment and trailer sales at 1801 Mill Avenue

Commission recommends conditional use permit for My Neighbor to Love Coalition boarding house, with conditions

Planning commission recommends one-year trial allowing Bridges of Hope to extend summer operations