Planning commission recommends approval of Gruber tier‑2 poultry feedlot with conditions

The Morrison County Planning Commission voted 4‑1 on Oct. 14, 2025, to recommend that the County Board of Commissioners approve a conditional‑use permit for Nathan and Charles Gruber to establish a tier‑2 poultry feedlot on a 79.34‑acre parcel in Lehi Township.

Staff told the commission the property is undeveloped cropland and that the applicant proposes two chicken barns. Amy, Land Services staff, said the soil at the barn site is not suitable for stockpiling manure and noted the nearest wetland sits about 25 feet from a barn corner. She said the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) reviewed the site and found it suitable for a tier‑2 operation and that all setbacks are met. Amy summarized staff’s recommended conditions: install a barrier at wetland boundaries to avoid construction impacts; establish and maintain permanent vegetation around the barn; construct a stacking slab before stocking birds; and transfer or sell at least 25% of manure off site.

The commission’s discussion focused on groundwater and nitrate concerns in the area and on the technical design and timing of a stacking slab. Commissioner Marvin said he was worried about groundwater, noting the site’s high nitrate readings: “I was concerned and I believe the groundwater could be affected by allowing this barn in this area,” he said. Colette, the county’s feedlot officer, recommended that “a good portion of it gets transferred out” and confirmed the minimum she expects is 25% transferred off site: “The minimum… 25%.”

Nathan Gruber told the commission he plans to build a concrete barn and a concrete manure containment area and that he intends to construct the stacking slab concurrently with barn construction. A township representative and a nearby landowner who said he sits on the town board, Don Cheetah, spoke in support of the design and said properly built stacking slabs are effective for managing dry chicken manure.

Commissioners asked about water supply and permitting; the applicant said he is pursuing a single well and has been working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on an appropriation permit. Commissioners also confirmed the applicant’s manure management plan shows land available for spreading and that a broker (named in the hearing) would take excess manure off site. Several commissioners said that, with the recommended conditions in place, the plan addresses many of the water‑quality concerns raised in the discussion.

Commissioner Brent moved to recommend approval to the County Board with the four staff conditions; George seconded. Vote: Brent, George, Clint and John voted yes; Marvin voted no. The planning commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the County Board for its Oct. 21 meeting.

The applicant was told that failure to meet imposed conditions could result in revocation of the conditional‑use permit.