The Board discussed the text of proposed draft Stearns County Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance Number 209, and reviewed the comments and questions that were complied from the public hearings that were held February 15 at Melrose, February 16 at Cold Spring and February 22 at the Stearns County Administration Center. After some discussion regarding the need to include the biological map in the appendix of said ordinance, motion was made by Commissioner Haws, seconded by Commissioner Sakry and carried unanimously to add the County Biological Survey Map to the appendix of the zoning ordinance. Commissioner Arnold, Yes and Commissioner Sakry, Yes. After discussing the request that certain lands in Munson Township which are currently zoned as A40 be considered for various residential zoning districts, motion was made by Commissioner Arnold, seconded by Commissioner Otte and carried unanimously to approve said requested rezoning that will be shown on the map and approve the preliminary township map. After discussing the changes requested by the City of Eden Valley, motion was made by Commissioner Haws, seconded by Commissioner Sakry and carried unanimously to give the Planning Commission authority to require odor control for any new, expanded or modified animal feedlots within one mile of the city.
Modification means a change in the manure handling facilities.
Environmental Services Director Don Adams discussed the difference in R20 versus T20 and stated that it involves the number of the animal units. After further discussion, motion was then made by Commissioner Arnold, seconded by Commissioner Otte and carried unanimously to create a T20 option with clustering for 49 animal units or less to be added in some townships as a transitional area between farmland and more densely populated areas. Motion was then made by Commissioner Otte, seconded by Commissioner Sakry and carried unanimously to approve the amendment that allows an additional residential dwelling on any residual parcel in the A40 district. After discussing the concerns of St. Augusta Township, it was the consensus of the Board to consult with St. Augusta regarding agricultural and transitional districts in the northern tiers.