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Commissioners table rezone amid cleanup concerns, approve conditional-use permit and land-use ordinance amendments
Summary
Morrison County tabled a rezone request tied to an unpermitted junkyard to May 6 for on-site inspection, approved a conditional use permit for a fifth dwelling conditioned on scrap removal by Oct. 31, 2025, and adopted proposed land-use ordinance amendments on biofuel plants and wetland setbacks.
Amy Kowalczyk, director of Land Services, presented three planning items that followed a recent planning commission meeting.
The board voted to table a rezone request from Dustin Wolner to change a parcel from commercial to agricultural zoning pending an on-site inspection and additional progress on property cleanup. Kowalczyk told the board that "rezones cannot be conditioned and so they're either granted or denied," and warned that if the site is rezoned to agriculture a currently unpermitted junkyard would be prohibited and could trigger enforcement. Commissioners agreed to defer action to the May 6 meeting so Land Services staff can inventory on-site progress.
The board then approved a conditional use permit for Zachary and Luz Schreifels to allow a fifth dwelling within a quarter-quarter (40-acre) parcel, contingent on removal of scrap vehicles and debris from Lot 6 by Oct. 31, 2025. The planning commission had recommended approval with that condition; the board approved the permit by voice vote after a motion by Commissioner Winters and a second by Commissioner Moran.
Kowalczyk closed the land-services portion by presenting proposed land-use control ordinance amendments that address biofuel plants and wetland setbacks; the planning commission recommended approval and the board adopted the changes by motion of Commissioner Blaine and a second from Commissioner Casper.
Why it matters: the rezone decision affects what uses are allowed on the property and the county's ability to enforce junkyard and cleanup rules. The conditional use permit creates a path for a new home while attaching a cleanup deadline for existing debris. The ordinance changes alter county rules on biofuel facilities and wetland setbacks.
Enforcement notes: Kowalczyk explained the county's violation process for junkyards — issuance of a notice with a compliance timeframe and escalation through enforcement if property owners do not comply. Commissioner Blaine raised environmental concerns about soil contamination and noted that hazardous-waste or soil-remediation questions would be handled by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
