Dunn County panel conditionally approves rezoning for metal-fabrication site in Peru

The Dunn County Planning, Resource and Development Committee on March 4 conditionally approved a zoning map amendment to rezone about 8.47 acres of a 39-acre farm in the town of Peru to a light-industrial district to allow a small metal-fabrication business to relocate to the site.

Staff told the committee the applicants, Kelvin and Katie Nisley (agent Elmer Born Trager), propose to split and develop an 8.47-acre parcel for a metal-roofing and siding fabrication shop that would employ roughly three people and operate largely indoors. The property is adjacent to State Highway 85 and sits on the county line near Pepin County; the parcel includes existing farm buildings, a schoolhouse to the south and areas in active agricultural use.

“Given the rural setting and the indoor, dry‑manufacturing nature of the operation, staff did not identify adverse impacts to public health, safety or neighboring properties,” planning staff Tammy told the committee, and recommended approval with conditions including execution of a final certified survey map, coordination of driveway and access improvements with the town of Peru, and acquisition of applicable state and county permits (DNR stormwater if over one acre of disturbance, Dun County land‑use and sanitation permits, and commercial building approvals).

A public commenter, Tony Gverersonson of Elk Mound, who identified himself as chairman of the town, commended staff for adding the proposed code changes but warned of a specific concern about proposed language removal touching emergency‑vehicle access. “I…would like to commend you on adding the changes for 825, 878… and I do have a slight concern on 806 concerning removal from the code about access for emergency vehicles,” he said, asking for certainty that fire‑and‑emergency access requirements remain enforceable.

Committee members asked staff technical questions about which existing structures would be removed, whether the proposed access would connect to town roads rather than Highway 85, and whether neighbors had submitted written comments. Staff said the driveway improvements would be coordinated with the town and that no written public comments had been received.

After discussion the committee moved to conditionally approve the rezoning based on the concept map and draft legal description, with explicit conditions that the certified survey map be finalized, that driveway and access improvements be coordinated with the town of Peru, and that all required state and county permits be obtained before an ordinance is drafted for county board consideration. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize the certified survey map and prepare a formal ordinance and legal description for county board consideration; the county board will consider the ordinance after the petitioner supplies final documentation.