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Commission recommends meteorological tower permit for Kapsners; 4-year limit discussed
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of an interim-use permit for a temporary meteorological tower on land owned by Troy and Rebecca Kapsner, forwarding the application to the Morrison County Board on July 28, 2026. Commissioners discussed a proposed four-year time limit, MNDOT notification and site impacts.
The Morrison County Planning Commission on July 21 recommended approval of an interim-use permit for a temporary meteorological tower proposed by Troy and Rebecca Kapsner and operated by Swift Current Energy. Joey Shannon, speaking for the applicant, described the installation as a temporary data-collection tower intended to record wind speed and temperature; staff entered Sections 604.8 and 1227 of the Morrison County Land Use Control Ordinance into the record along with aerial photos and site plans.
Commissioners asked technical and operational questions. "This project could produce about 100 towers," Joey Shannon said, and he added that data are gathered remotely and the company typically visits a site only once or twice per year. The applicant said a red aircraft light and prior notice to MNDOT are required before construction. Amy Kowalzek noted county plans do not yet reference meteorological towers and that ordinance language will be added in future updates.
Members pressed for an explicit end date for the temporary permit; applicants requested up to four years. Commissioners also discussed site impact and removal: Shannon said anchors are removable and the tower footprint is approximately 1.62 acres. With no public comments submitted before the hearing, Commissioner Brent Lindgren moved to recommend approval with conditions; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Clint Kathrein and passed unanimously. The commission forwarded the application to the Morrison County Board of Commissioners for decision on July 28, 2026.
