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Winona County Board of Adjustment approves variance to allow farm-worker dwelling closer to feedlot
Summary
The Board granted Mark and Angela Clark a variance to place a dwelling about 565 feet from an adjacent feedlot on a 160-acre Mount Vernon Township parcel so full-time farm operators can be housed closer to the work site.
The Winona County Board of Adjustment voted to grant a variance that will allow Mark and Angela Clark to place a new dwelling for full-time farm workers about 565 feet from a neighboring feedlot, shorter than the 1,000-foot setback normally required for feedlots with more than 50 animal units.
Planning staff described the property as a 160-acre actively farmed parcel in Mount Vernon Township, section 33, zoned ARC. The proposal calls for a trailer-style dwelling to house full-time farm operators, to share the existing well and to locate septic systems in the grassed area between the existing home and the proposed unit. Staff told the board they had drafted two conditions to accompany approval and recommended the board “consider all materials and testimony before making findings that support your decision.” Staff added, “Our analysis and draft findings do support granting the variance.”
Petitioner Becky Clark, who gave her address as 18635 County Road 114, Rollingstone, Minn., told the board, “I’m just looking to add that trailer for employee housing so they’re closer and then they’re not coming in from the city, especially in the winter.” Board members asked clarifying questions about whether the dwelling would be considered permanent or temporary and about limits on the number of additional dwellings on a farm homestead; staff said the ordinance allows additional dwellings when they meet definitions for full-time farm help and noted other constraints such as distances between wells, septic systems and structures.
After a brief public hearing with no speakers, a board member moved to grant the variance and the motion passed. Planning staff read a standard appeal notice noting that any aggrieved person, department, board or commission has 30 days to appeal the Board of Adjustment’s decision to the district court in the county where the land is located.
The vote and staff materials show the board approved the reduced setback to allow housing for full-time farm help; staff included two recommended conditions in the packet for the board’s consideration. Any appeals must be filed with the district court; the planning department is not responsible for filing an appeal.
