Planning commission recommends approval for Walensky tier‑2 poultry feedlot in Swanville Township

The Morrison County Planning Commission on Sept. 16 recommended approval of a conditional use permit for Donald, Carmen and Caitlin Walensky to establish a tier‑2 chicken feedlot on a 99.39‑acre parcel in Swanville Township. The applicants propose two chicken barns totaling 418 animal units; the commission’s recommendation included conditions on manure handling and vegetation restoration.

The commission’s recommendation matters because the decision now goes to the County Board of Commissioners, which will make the final determination on Sept. 23. Land services staff and the Soil and Water Conservation District reviewed the site and advised conditions intended to prevent feedlot conditions in the existing beef pasture and to ensure suitable manure stockpiling.

Land Services staff reported that the property is two contiguous parcels totaling 99.39 acres and that the applicants plan two chicken barns with a proposed animal unit count of 418. Amy, Land Services staff, said the applicable ordinance sections include section 604.6, which requires a conditional use permit for feedlots, and section 1209, which contains performance standards for large feedlots. The staff summary noted the site meets setback requirements and that the Soil and Water review concluded the site is suitable for a tier‑2 chicken feedlot.

Shannon Weinstein, district manager for Morrison Soil and Water, told the commission, “The site is a good site for expansion,” and said the applicants planned a stacking slab and had discussed restoring vegetation in the pasture to prevent ongoing feedlot conditions. Weinstein also said, “Their soils are heavier here, but, yeah, they’re close to that wetland area as well.”

Commissioners asked about manure management and buffers. The applicants’ manure management plan identified roughly 600 acres available for application and estimated maximum need at 405 acres for potash; a commissioner noted neighbors were willing to accept manure if needed. Commissioners discussed a typical 50‑foot vegetated buffer around barns; staff recommended a permanent vegetative buffer around the barns and consultation with the feedlot officer to identify soils suitable for manure stockpiling.

The commission amended a staff‑recommended deadline to reestablish and maintain vegetation in the beef cattle pasture from May 30, 2026, to Oct. 31, 2026, after commissioners and applicants discussed seeding and growing seasons. The record shows the commission voted to recommend approval to the County Board of Commissioners with the conditions: (1) plant and maintain a permanent vegetative buffer around the barns; (2) consult with the feedlot officer to identify suitable soils for manure stockpiling; and (3) reestablish and maintain vegetation within the beef cattle pasture by Oct. 31, 2026, and ensure it does not exhibit feedlot conditions thereafter.

The motion to recommend approval carried unanimously. Chair Clint (Morrison County Planning Commission) told the applicants the County Board would consider the commission’s recommendation on Sept. 23 and to contact Land Services with questions between now and then.

The action is a recommendation only; any permit and conditions will be final only if the County Board approves the request and any implementation steps (for example, manure stockpiling locations, stacking slab construction, and access improvements) are completed to the satisfaction of the feedlot officer and other agencies.