Land Use Director Blake Lea reviewed the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve a conditional use permit for a 250-foot telecommunications tower in Newburg Township at the county board’s February 3 meeting.
The self supporting tower is to be built in Section 22 on property owned by Paul, Sandra, and Todd Eiken. The request for the CUP was submitted by Cloud 1 Services, acting at the request of AT&T. There is an Alltel tower located about 0.50 miles south of the proposed location. AT&T currently has its equipment on this tower. Due to excessive lease rates AT&T is currently being charged, the company requested a financial hardship be considered with the proposal.
Lea noted the proposed location meets the minimum setback standards. He explained the Planning Commission will look at the current setback requirement of 500 feet from a residence, as there have been concerns raised from owners of neighboring properties.
Commissioner Marc Prestby said he has a problem with the ordinance allowing towers to be constructed this close. He suggested a moratorium should be put into place. Lea noted this proposed tower meets all requirements at this time.
The towers that have been approved for AT&T are being built to fulfill a 911 contract. Commissioner Mitch Lentz said they are being built for public safety. Lentz said the proposed tower meets all the current requirements. The CUP was approved, Prestby voted no.
Citizens Input
Bruening Rock Products sent letters to some land owners near a subdivision outside of Lanesboro by the Lanesboro 250 Sand Pit explaining they are considering a sand quarry off 250 and Fawn Dr. beside the Root River.
Patricia LeMay spoke against the proposal, saying it will have a catastrophic affect on the environment. She said the proposed quarry will bring noise, dust and increased traffic.; “Lanesboro is a tourism town; property values will decline. I am here to protect and preserve our property.”
Commissioner Duane Bakke noted this proposal will not be on the agenda at this month’s Planning Commission, noting, “At this point we don’t know if the proposal is for a commercial or industrial sand pit.”
Char Besser also spoke against this proposal, sharing, “Trucks create so much dust it can be hard to breathe. The roads are treated but that only lasts for a couple of months. Our nice home is being wrecked by sand.”
Bakke said one of the conditions put on a conditional use permit requires dust control. He advised her to complain to the Land Use Department if the dust control condition is not being met.
Shona Langseth commented on the Historic Forestville Bridge. She is a citizen member of the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The commission makes funding recommendations to the legislature for special environment and natural resources. She talked about strategy and the need to show a natural resources concern. She suggested the county partner with DNR Parks and Trails, and that, “We have funded bridges.”
Bakke explained the DNR and the Historical Society are leading the effort for the bridge.
Other Business in Brief
- County Engineer Ron Gregg and Supervisor Brent Kohn recommended the purchase of a new 2026 John Deere 333P Skid Loader at a cost of $61,500 after trade from Preston Equipment. The trade of the used 333E cut $3,405 off the new purchase. The purchase was approved as presented.
A request was also approved for the purchase of a 2026 CP24G cold planer from RDO Equipment at a cost of $25,000. This will be an attachment for the new skid loader.
- County Administrator Bobbie Hillery clarified the implementation of the employee pay structure for Drop Two/Add Two. This was a way to adjust the pay scale to keep a comparable wage to better attract workers for open positions.
- A quote from Marco for a Simplivity 380G Server replacement project was approved with a one-time payment of $80,213. The server will be housed in the Fillmore County Office Building.
- Hillery reported the furniture for the jail offices has been installed. The move-in for the newly renovated jail offices is set for February 11.
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