Morrison County planning body recommends temporary contractor yard for Northland Reliability Project in Pierz Township

The Morrison County Planning Commission recommended approval of an interim use permit to allow the Northland Reliability Project to establish a contractor storage yard on roughly 46 acres east of a chicken barn in Pierz Township, documents in the county packet show. The commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval after imposing conditions intended to protect roads, water and neighboring agricultural uses.

The application, filed on behalf of the Northland Reliability Project (a partnership noted in the packet as Minnesota Power and Great River Energy) and associated with applicant Neal Kimman, would allow construction staging for Phase 2 work including engineering, right-of-way and soils investigations, material delivery and related activities. County documents describe the affected parcel as 102.64 acres with a registered Tier I chicken feedlot; about 45 acres east of the barn is rated by the Web Soil Survey as farmland of statewide importance.

Officials described the proposed contractor yard as temporary, needed for up to three years, and subject to reclamation at the project’s conclusion. Site preparation would include stripping and stockpiling topsoil, placing Class 5 aggregate, constructing matted roads and pads, and fencing (up to 20 acres may be fenced). The packet notes no running water is planned for the job trailer; a porta-potty would be sited on-site, and secondary containment would be used during vehicle maintenance to limit fluid spills.

County staff raised operational details: the site could see as many as 30 truck trips per day during peak delivery times; driveway accesses must be approved by the Public Works Department; signing or driveway enhancements may be required for safe ingress and egress; and stormwater handling will be reviewed with the County Engineer. Dust control measures in the packet include a 5 mph speed limit within the yard.

In its findings, the planning body concluded the use would not place an excessive burden on roadways, utilities or public facilities if the stated conditions are met; that the temporary yard would be reasonably related to existing land use and is allowed in the agricultural zoning district; and that reclamation and the conditions would protect groundwater, surface water and air quality. The packet records that the Planning Commission found the proposal consistent with the purposes of the county’s Zoning Ordinance, its Comprehensive Plan and the Water Plan.

Planning Commission member Clint Kathrein moved to recommend approval; Brent Lindgren seconded. The motion carried with a vote of five in favor and zero opposed.

The county packet records that the Morrison County Board of Commissioners considered the application on June 23, 2026 and made findings of fact; the record provided does not specify whether a final permit was issued. The documents impose conditions addressing stormwater, road safety and site restoration and identify the County Engineer and Public Works Department as reviewers for access and stormwater plans.