Stearns County board approves variance to register 3.5-animal-unit feedlot on 2.62-acre parcel in Albany Township

The Stearns County Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to grant a variance allowing a feedlot registered for 3.5 animal units on a 2.62-acre parcel at 34377 County Road 10 in Albany Township.

The variance was requested by applicant Travis Toole to register a barn and outdoor lot that would house five feeder steers on a parcel that the county said has remained 2.62 acres since at least 1966. Stearns County staff read the request into the record and recommended granting or denying the variance based on the board’s findings of fact.

The board’s nut graf: The request exceeds the ordinance allowance for a parcel that size (staff said the ordinance allows one animal unit for a parcel this small), but board members concluded the proposed use is consistent with surrounding agricultural land and answered all seven required findings in the affirmative.

Board and staff discussion focused on setbacks, manure handling and neighborhood impacts. Stearns County staff said the barn (12-by-20) and an adjacent 30-by-56 open lot would be located on the west side of the property, and that there were no current livestock-related complaints on file. Staff told the board the applicant submitted a manure-handling plan: manure will be stockpiled at the applicant’s parents’ site south of Freeport and then applied to 18 acres of cropland there. Staff also noted an unpermitted structure observed by the township had been moved to compliance before the hearing.

Applicant Travis Toole (stated name and address for the record) described the operation as small and family oriented. Toole said he and his family are “just raising calves up for, like, 4‑H for the kids.” Amanda Primus, who also stated her name and address for the record, appeared as a co‑applicant.

Board members asked how often manure would be hauled to the parents’ farm; Toole replied “at every clean out,” estimating it could be “once a week” or “once a month” depending on weather. Staff confirmed there are no feedlot-to-home setback requirements for operations under 10 animal units; the only required setback to neighboring property lines is 10 feet, and in this case staff said the building would meet a 25-foot distance to the property line without a survey. Road and well setbacks remain applicable.

The board moved through the required seven findings of fact, with members saying the use is allowed in an A40 zoning district, is in harmony with official controls and the comprehensive plan’s agricultural goals, and that the proposal maintains the character of the area. After concluding all findings in the affirmative, the chair called for a motion. Member Michael Swanhorst moved to approve; Dave Ventrude seconded. The board voted “Aye” and the motion carried. The board recorded the final outcome as approval of the variance.

The board did not attach additional conditions in the motion beyond referencing the required findings of fact; staff’s recommended condition to require manure handling per the submitted plan was described in the staff report and the applicant described the planned off‑site manure application.

Looking ahead: The approval authorizes the applicant to register the constructed barn and open lot as a feedlot at the 3.5 animal‑unit level. Any future changes that increase animal units above thresholds that trigger different setbacks or regulatory requirements would be subject to further review under county and state rules.