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Planning commission backs zoning changes to allow impound/towing yards with site-specific vehicle limits
Summary
Sherburne County planning commissioners recommended approval of a zoning amendment to permit wrecker and towing operations as an interim use in industrial districts, with staff-directed changes to tie allowable stored vehicles to parcel size and to replace the term “inoperable” with “impounded.” The recommendation will be forwarded to the County Board.
Sherburne County planning commissioners recommended approval of an amendment to the county zoning ordinance to allow wrecker and towing services as an interim use in industrial districts, and instructed staff to revise vehicle-limit language so the allowed number of stored vehicles is determined on a case-by-case basis through the interim use permit (IUP) process.
The change was presented to the commission by planning staff as a resident-driven request from Nick Christiansen of Bob's Towing. Staff told the commission the applicant requested a limit of 20 stored vehicles and that township review (including Haven) had been completed. "The proposed use would become an interim use permit only in the county's industrial district," staff said, adding that zoning staff felt the ordinance was an appropriate amendment as drafted.
Commissioners and the applicant questioned the ordinance language distinguishing “operable” and “inoperable” vehicles. Staff noted the previous draft capped "inoperable" vehicles at 15 and that the applicant had requested 20; staff displayed the draft line: "Businesses may store up to 20 inoperable vehicles." A commissioner suggested striking the word "inoperable," to avoid counting tow trucks and employees' vehicles. The applicant described typical operations and said a 20-vehicle target "would be sufficient" and "manageable."
After discussion, staff proposed modifying subsection f to mirror language used for large contractor yards so that the number of stored vehicles would be determined relative to parcel size and set as IUP conditions. Commissioners also proposed a definition change: if an establishment stores 20 or more impounded/inoperable vehicles for more than 90 days, stacks vehicles, or removes parts for sale, it would be considered a junkyard and not permitted in industrial districts where junkyards are prohibited. The commission agreed to amend both the definition (Section 5, Subdivision 2) and item f and to replace the term "inoperable" with "impounded" in the text to better target non‑business vehicles.
A motion to recommend approval with those modifications was made and seconded. The commission opened a public hearing on the item; no members of the public spoke and the hearing was closed. The motion passed on a voice vote; no roll-call tally appears in the transcript. Planning staff will forward the commission’s recommendation to the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners for decision at the County Board hearing scheduled for 01/20/2026 at 9:00 a.m.
The record shows the commission focused on preventing salvage-yard appearances while allowing towing and impound operations to function. Staff said vehicle limits would be conditioned through the IUP review so that parcel size, parking capacity, and business vehicles could be factored in.
