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Morrison County planning panel approves variance to allow hog barn on 60-acre parcel with surveyor setback condition
Summary
The Morrison County Planning Commission approved a request to split a 100-acre property and create a 60-acre parcel around an existing tier-3 swine barn, subject to a condition requiring a surveyor to confirm a 100-foot east setback or adjust the split. Commissioners discussed irrigation pivots, manure management and future land configuration.
Morrison County Planning Commission members on the evening discussed and approved a variance allowing a tier-3 swine feedlot to be split from a 100-acre parcel into a 60-acre parcel, below the ordinance minimum of 75 acres, provided the parcel is configured so the barn meets a 100-foot setback from the east property line.
A staff member identified as Amy said the ordinance reference was “12 oh 9.1” and that the county requires 75 contiguous acres for a tier-3 feedlot. Amy told the commission the property is in Section 25 of Grama Township and that the existing barn and feedlot are already registered as a tier-3 operation. She read a suggested condition: “When creating the 60 acre parcel, the property owner shall have a surveyor ensure the barn meets the 100 foot setback from the east property line. If the barn does not meet the setback, the land split shall be done in such a way to meet the East Side property line setback.”
The applicant, Bill Andrews, told the commission he owns the 100-acre parcel and intends to split off 60 acres around the barn to sell the feedlot operation while keeping farmed, irrigated ground for himself. He said neighbors will take manure under a management plan, adding that “basically, there still is going to be close to 400 acres available for this hog manure.” Darvin Sehr, who identified himself in the hearing, was present as a prospective buyer.
Commission discussion focused on how the split would affect pivot irrigation, access to small corner pieces, and long-term land configuration. Commissioners noted that pivot corners and irregular parcel shapes exist elsewhere in the county and that complex legal descriptions can be created, but emphasized the county’s minimum design standards for the Agricultural zoning district (for example, road frontage and minimum lot size) would be enforced when the split is drawn. Several commissioners also said manure management must meet feedlot office requirements and the new owner would be responsible for showing adequate acreage or agreements for manure spreading.
Commissioners addressed the variance criteria used by the county. Some members questioned whether a purely economic motive drove the request; others cited unique site constraints—wet spots on the parcel, the location of the existing barn, the Skunk River/creek and pivot irrigation—as factors that supported a variance. The panel agreed the proposal would not change the character of the area because the feedlot and irrigated ground would continue in similar use.
After the condition was read and the applicant confirmed he accepted it, the commission moved to a vote and approved the variance with the surveyor/setback condition.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve variance to reduce required acreage for a tier-3 feedlot from 75 to 60 acres, with condition that a surveyor ensure the barn meets a 100-foot setback from the east property line or the split be adjusted to meet that setback. Outcome: approved. (Individual roll-call tallies not specified in the transcript.) - Motion: Elect chairman (nomination and vote earlier in the meeting). Outcome: approved (nominee accepted). (Transcript records multiple “aye” votes; individual tallies not specified.) - Motion: Elect Marvin Bridal as vice chair. Outcome: approved. (Transcript records multiple “aye” votes; individual tallies not specified.) - Motion: Elect George [last name not specified in transcript] as secretary. Outcome: approved. (Transcript records multiple “aye” votes; individual tallies not specified.) - Motion: Approve Dec. 10 meeting minutes. Outcome: approved. (Transcript records motion made and seconded; “aye” votes recorded.)
The commission’s staff said 15 property notices were sent for the variance hearing and no written public comments were received before the hearing. Staff also noted that county staff will work with the property owner and surveyor on how the split is legally described and that the county’s feedlot officer will oversee manure management arrangements for the new owner. The commission scheduled routine future viewings and administrative items before adjourning.
The planning commission’s action permits the parcel split to proceed conditioned on the physical setback requirement; final parcel lines and legal descriptions will be completed by a surveyor and county staff before the split is recorded.
