Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
The City of Peterson held a Planning Commission meeting on January 7 to discuss Brian Olson’s request for the ability to construct grain bins and dryers on his 16.29 acres. The property, which sits north of homes along Mill Street/County Road 25, abuts the Root River levee on the east and north. It is zoned Agricultural 1, which prohibits bins and dryers. The purpose of the meeting was to hear from community members to determine whether to put in place an amendment to the zoning code to allow bins and dryers under conditional use. Planning Commission members Loren Rue, Karlin Symons, Steve Paulson, Jim Atkinson, Chris Grindland, and Cyndy Gove attended the meeting. Councilor Gail Boyum, Kathy Johnson, Ron and Lucy Benson, Mike Simons, Greg Smith, and Tyler Crouch also attended. Olson was not present at the meeting.
According to the meeting minutes, Olson previously submitted a building permit application. That permit has since expired. He intended to reapply. Options included recommending the city council approve conditional use with Agricultural 1, recommending no change, or conducting a study. Concerns about the construction included the floodplain location, a possible increase in traffic, safety from traffic, dust, and impact on adjacent residential properties. Other comments noted included no issues with traffic, support of agriculture, benefits to all property owners rather than one, and concerns with spot zoning. The commission recommended no change.
At the January 8 council meeting, the council reviewed the commission recommendation before determining the final decision. Grindland noted a public hearing would be required before any changes are made. Olson questioned the zoning designation two years before when the city issued the original permit. Grindland referenced a mistake and noted Olson was aware of it. The council unanimously approved following the commission’s recommendation to deny the zoning request..
In other news, the council reviewed annual destigations and committees for 2025. All designations including official newspaper, depository, city attorney, auditor, insurance, Clerk’s Bond, and Board of Health remain the same. Acting Mayor and Acting Treasurer/Clerk, in the absence of Mayor Chris Stenzel and the city clerk, are Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Boyum. Planning Committee member Loren Rue is resigning, but all other members will remain. Councilor Kristina Grindland agreed to serve on the commission. The Museum Committee includes Boyum and Gove, the Electrical and Street Committee is Councilors Simon and Seelbinder, the Parks and Museum Committee is Councilors Grindland and Boyum, the Water and Sewer Committee is Councilors Seelbinder and Grindland, and the Finance Committee is Councilors Simon and Boyum.
The council also reviewed and approved fees for 2025. The base electrical fee will increase from $12 to $15 per month, while the base multi-phase electrical fee will increase from $24 to $30 per month. The sewer fees also increased due to the fund running short in 2024. Calculations for the new rate were to bring the fund to a break-even, including coverage of the annual bond payment and equipment repair. Garbage fees will be a flat $20 per month.
The council also approved annual rates of pay. This includes the wages and benefits for Public Works Director Tim Hallum, Public Works and Assistant Clerk Chris Grindland, new part-time city clerk/treasurer Cindy Gove, and part-time Public Works Scott Wisland. The council made no changes in the mayor and council member salaries.
The last agenda item was a fund transfer of $19,175 from the Sewer Fund to the Debt Service Fund for bond payment. It was approved.
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