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Board approves variance for on‑farm biofuel digester; interim use permit and pipeline connection noted
Summary
The board approved a variance allowing a manure-based anaerobic digester and biogas upgrading equipment to be located inside standard property-line and non‑feedlot residence setbacks on the Van Heel farm, citing soil constraints and a pipeline interconnect. Staff said an interim use permit and performance standards will follow.
The Morrison County Board of Adjustment on April 29 approved variances that allow placement of a manure-based anaerobic digester and related biogas upgrading equipment at the Van Heel farm inside normal property-line and non‑feedlot residence setbacks.
Staff reported the project would place digester equipment approximately 70 feet from the north property line and about 470 feet from the nearest non-feedlot residence; the ordinance standard cited in the staff report requires a 200-foot property-line setback and a 1,000-foot setback from non-feedlot residences (ordinance 12 33.1 e). Staff said soil borings showed poor soils and groundwater in preferred locations, which pushed the proposed digester location northward; the applicant owns the non-feedlot residence that would be within the reduced setback.
Aaron Evans, owner of Biogasco and the on-site technology lead, described how the system works: "the raw gas in the digester is, approximately 60% methane and 40% c o 2, with with a small amount of, h 2 s hydrogen sulfide." He said Biogasco upgrades the gas by pressurizing it in water to remove CO2 and H2S, leaving a product that is "approximately a % methane, 98, 90 9 percent methane, which is, the exact same gas that's in your natural gas pipelines." Evans said Biogasco currently operates two systems in Minnesota and that Greater Minnesota Gas has agreed to a pipeline interconnect at this site.
Consultants and staff said the location was selected after exploring multiple borings and that the chosen site avoided sand and gravel veins that produced groundwater. Staff noted that if variances are granted the owner must apply for an interim use permit; the interim use permitting process will address plant details and county performance standards, and staff will review water-runoff plans and other performance items during that permitting.
Board members answered the finding questions in the affirmative and voted to approve the variance. The motion to approve was made by Marvin and seconded by Clint; recorded votes were Brent — aye; George — aye; Marv — aye; Clint — aye; John — aye. The board chair declared the variance approved. Staff and the applicant said the approval clears the way for an interim use permit and that pipeline interconnect terms and performance standards will be handled in that subsequent application.
