Stearns County commissioners split over extra hearing for Sunny Mary Meadows conditional use permit

The Stearns County Board of Commissioners debated whether to hold its own public hearing on a conditional use permit application for Sunny Mary Meadows, a rural events and flower-farming business operated by applicant Liz Fiedler, but voted against scheduling a new hearing.

The item drew repeated comments from commissioners and township officials about noise, hours, and the number and size of events. Jennifer Buckantine of the county Environmental Services Department summarized conditions the Planning Commission recommended: “Days and hours of operation are 6AM to 10PM, 7 days a week. Outdoor music is allowed from 6AM to 8PM. … 15 special events per year are allowed and music may go till 10 p.m., and … outdoor music is only allowed on the property provided the noise levels comply with Minnesota rules chapter 70.3, which is the MPCA state noise standard.”

Commissioners and residents disagreed over whether the county should step in now. Commissioner Persky pressed staff to confirm what a permit would allow, asking directly, “They could have live music from 6AM till 10PM. Is that not true?” Staff replied that the Planning Commission’s recommended conditions limit routine outdoor music to 8 p.m. and that 15 special events a year could allow music to 10 p.m. during those events. Staff also said the county’s ordinance allows a provisional-use registration for up to 15 events a year without a public hearing, and that a “large gathering” threshold in county rules is 999 people.

Supporters of a hearing said township residents were not aware of the scope of the proposal and wanted clearer, tighter conditions. Opponents of an additional hearing argued neighbors and the applicant should resolve details directly and warned that extra hearings might not produce different outcomes.

A motion to conduct a county public hearing on the CUP failed on a roll call vote, 2–3: Commissioners Persky and Bertram voted in favor; Commissioners Clark, Notch and Lensmeier voted against. Because the motion failed, the board did not add its own public hearing; the Planning Commission record and its recommended conditions remain the formal administrative record for the item.

County staff told commissioners that private, family events on the property (for example, a private wedding or graduation) do not require a CUP, while any activity offered to the public requires either a provisional-use registration or a CUP with a public hearing. Staff also noted that where a CUP is granted it stays with the property and can affect future owners.

Commissioners urged neighbors and the applicant to continue discussions. Several commissioners said they support the applicant’s business in principle but want clearer, enforceable conditions that address future owners and reduce potential conflicts.