• Agricultural product facility, proposed feedlot permits opposed by those attending the county board meeting.

By Melanie Stegner

news@pctribune.com

Several members of the public were in attendance at last week’s meeting of the Pope County Board of Commissioners. Two contentious conditional-use permits were on the agenda. 

The Belgrade Co-op submitted a proposal to locate and operate a facility that provides agricultural products such as seed, fertilizer (including anhydrous ammonia) and liquid propane. As submitted, the facility would be located at the corner of Highway 28 and 320th Avenue in White Bear Lake Township west of Starbuck. The Planning Commission conducted two public meetings on the matter and had public comment at both meetings. Largely, the public was not in support of the proposed land use because of safety concerns relating to exposure to the anhydrous, increased traffic to and from the site and potential impacts on property values. Ultimately, the Planning Commission did vote in support of a motion to recommend approval of the request with conditions.

Some of the conditions that were mentioned in the submission were a site plan, full on-site septic system with tank and drain field, stormwater management plan, training for local fire department on anhydrous and keeping all vegetated areas mowed and sprayed to prevent the start of noxious weeds. 

The location of the site is in a rural setting with agricultural and open space. Southwest of the site there is a residential area. This is a top concern for the public, it was indicated.  Jim Wesen is a resident of the area and was at the meeting to speak. “One of the missions of the county board is to protect the best interests of the community. It seems you’re prioritizing wealth and convenience for the Belgrade Co-op over the health and safety of the citizens,” he stated. 

Kerby Strickler commented that his family occupies the home closest to the area and they are concerned about the safety for the area residents. “There are much better locations in the county that are not near residential areas.”

Belgrade Co-op representative and General Manager Eric Paulson stated that the co-op has 95 years of proven reputable business practices “and we would like to run a clean and safe business on this site.”

The planning commission had a four to one vote on the matter which approved the recommendation to the board of commissioners. The commissioners’ vote was 2-2, with Commissioners Paul Gremmels and Gordy Wagner voted against the permit and Commissioner Larry Lindor abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest. 

After a short recess and some research from the county attorney, since the vote was tied, the vote is considered not approved and is a denial. “The next piece will be that the two commissioners that did not approve will have to state their reasons for denial,” County Attorney Neil Nelson said.

Commissioner Gremmels stated his reason for denial is safety, environmental impact and traffic concerns; “but my main concern is that this is prime ag land, and it would be taking up tillable acreage from production.” Commissioner Wagner said h was concerned with the health and well-being of the neighborhood nearby. “There are multiple dwellings there and we all know that the odors from these types of business travel much farther than what the required setbacks are,” Wagner added.

Feedlot permit attracts opposition

The second conditional use permit application was from Brad Marthaler of Grove Lake Township to locate a new feedlot on his property. The feedlot is a permissible land use activity in the zoning district. There are nearby residential structures, so the new feedlot would need to be at least 500-feet from any residence. The Planning Advisory Commission had public input at their meeting on September 28  from several neighboring property owners who testified against the permit due to the impact that of the existence of the cattle on Marthaler’s property.

Property owners also attended the board of commissioners meeting to offer comment. Gary Neumann, who lives within 500 feet of the current operation stated some of his grievances. “It’s an illegal feedlot; he’s been caught exposing 20 cows,” Neumann said. “The smell is terrible. An environmental study on neighborhood health and the nitrates in our water as well as well inspection should be completed before this would be approved. We have a petition with 36 people’s signatures,” he stated. “What is it doing to our groundwater?”

The residents of Grove Lake made an appeal to the town board who was unsure how to set a moratorium on the land use. Suggestions from commissioners Lindor and Gerde were to locate the new feedlot at least 800 feet away from the nearest residents, which would allow up to 200 cattle, and to add a no stockpiling manure and spreading restriction along with a fly management additive to control the insect population. The County Feedlot Officer, Ariel Hughes added that she has asked for a dead animal management plan. 

The permit failed on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Lindor and Paul Gerde voted in favor of the permit with the conditions from the Planning Commission and the conditions brought forth from the board. Wagner, Paul Wildman and Gremmels opposed the location of the feedlot. The reasons for denial cited were neighborhood health, environmental impacts and odors.