Board of Adjustment approves Hebigs' variance to expand dairy feedlot to tier 2 within existing envelope

Morrison County Board of Adjustment members voted Sept. 16 to approve a variance allowing Adam and Hannah Hebig to expand an existing tier 1 dairy feedlot to tier 2 within the farm's existing operation envelope near North Highway 238. The vote was unanimous.

The variance permits the Hebigs to expand animal holding areas and enlarge the existing manure pit within the yellow "envelope" shown in staff drawings, provided manure storage would not be closer than 135 feet to the north property line; the property currently does not meet the ordinance's 200-foot property-line setback for tier 2 feedlots. Land Services staff told the board that, if the variance is granted, the applicants still must obtain a tier 2 conditional use permit to address manure storage, design and management.

The variance matters because a tier 2 expansion triggers a separate conditional-use environmental review of manure handling and storage; the board explicitly framed its approval as allowing the Hebigs to proceed to that next, more detailed permitting stage. Amy, Land Services staff, told the board this hearing was a reconvened August 5 session and presented updated site photos and drawings showing the feedlot envelope and proposed setbacks. She described the applicant's recent work to bring animal units down to tier 1 and to remove previously unauthorized holding areas.

Board members emphasized on the record that the applicants had reduced prior overages and cleaned the site. Board member Marv told the Hebigs, "I want to comment how far you came in cleaning up what was there," and commended them for working toward compliance. Board member Clint confirmed that, so long as new buildings are constructed within the approved envelope and the operation remains at tier 2, the applicants would not need to return to the board for each separate structure beyond normal building permits. Amy clarified that she would consider "acting on" the variance to mean reaching tier 2 and stocking at that level within two years, which would satisfy the two-year action window for variances.

The board also noted a site visit in August and discussed local drainage. Adam Hebig explained that the feedlot area slopes toward the existing manure pit and that yard and roof runoff is routed to the pit. Amy reminded members that manure and runoff design will be examined in detail during the conditional-use permit review.

Motion and next steps: Board member Marv moved to approve the variance; George seconded. The board recorded five "ayes" and approved the variance as requested. The Hebigs were instructed to continue working with county staff and to apply for the tier 2 conditional use permit where manure storage design and other environmental controls will be reviewed.

The approval is limited to the variance request as described at the hearing (expansion within the identified envelope with manure storage no closer than 135 feet to the north property line). Any changes beyond that envelope or changes affecting setbacks will require further review under the county feedlot ordinance and the conditional use process.