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Planning commission backs land‑use map change and approves 168‑foot mill tower variance for Barrett dog‑food site, citing jobs
Summary
The commission recommended changing a parcel from Rural Residential 5 to Commercial‑Industrial and approved a variance to construct a 168‑foot mill tower for a dog‑food manufacturer; the applicant said the expansion would bring flour milling in‑house and create roughly 30 new jobs.
The planning commission recommended a land‑use map amendment to rezone a Crow Wing County parcel from Rural Residential 5 to Commercial‑Industrial and approved a variance permitting a 168‑foot mill tower where 35 feet is typically allowed. Staff framed the request as consistent with the site’s long‑standing industrial use (dry raw‑material storage and milling operations across the street) and noted MnDOT had no objection.
Sarah Barrett, representing the owners, told the commission the company mills large volumes of raw materials at the site and needs additional in‑house flour milling capacity to avoid transporting purchased flour from out of state. "This expansion will lead to roughly 30 new jobs," Barrett said. The proposed mill would enclose roughly 30 tall storage bins and a vertical processing tower; staff noted similar towers and a cell tower already exist in the area.
Commissioners recommended the land‑use map amendment be forwarded to the county board for final action and approved the variance for tower height with conditions and findings of fact. The approvals are contingent on required permits and any mitigation measures stated in the staff report; the matter will go to the county board for final land‑use map action on the scheduled May 27 agenda.
