The Stearns County Planning Commission on Oct. 23 recommended that the County Board approve a conditional-use permit for a light-manufacturing business on a newly platted commercial lot east of Highway 15 in Main Prairie Township (address listed as 8574 150th Street, Kimball). The applicant, Brent Hartwig (Trifact Properties LLC), plans a small awards-and-trophies manufacturing facility and described a workforce of roughly a dozen employees and modest shipping frequency.

Why it matters: The site is already zoned commercial and adjacent to an existing contractor yard and gravel operation. Because the project will create more than one acre of new impervious surface, staff required a stormwater management plan, financial assurance for construction, and long-term maintenance commitments before final permits would be issued.

Access and approvals: MnDOT reviewed the plat and will not permit direct access to Highway 15; access is provided by a recorded easement from a township road (100th/150th Street). Main Prairie Township approved use of the township road for the business and a maintenance agreement governing the easement was recorded between the applicant and the adjacent property owner.

Environmental and site controls: Staff said parking will be asphalt and the driveway gravel; a stormwater management plan has been submitted and is under review. Staff recommended, and the commission included as conditions, an approved stormwater plan, a financial guarantee for construction of stormwater measures and a screening plan (with guarantee) to shield loading/unloading areas from roadways and adjacent residential uses. The applicant said typical hours would be roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with mainly parcel carrier deliveries and occasional larger shipments.

Decision and next steps: The commission voted to recommend approval with four conditions: approved stormwater management (with financial guarantee and certification upon completion), a screening plan meeting ordinance standards, confirmation of accessibility code compliance at plan review and as-built certification, and compliance with the sign standards. MnDOT confirmed no drainage permits from the state highway right-of-way were required after staff’s stormwater review. The County Board will consider the CUP on Nov. 4.