At the September 22 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, two conditional use permit (CUP) applications for event venues were considered. Event venues fall under the recently adopted Agricultural Tourism Businesses section of the county zoning ordinances.
The CUP request submitted by Chuck and Joan O’Connor, Section 18 Bristol Township, is for a remodeled barn to be used as a rented event venue. Chuck O’Connor explained during the public hearing that the 34-foot by 60-foot structure has been modified to host parties. There is room for 150 guests. Some wedding receptions have been held in this facility, but it can also be used for class reunions or family parties. The wedding party is responsible for the caterer and if liquor is desired, the Preston Servicemen’s Club would need to be hired. O’Connor said there is adequate parking space and porta potties will be rented from Neal Storkie, Spring Grove. There were five events held in this facility this year.
O’Connor said events are all held on the ground floor of the barn. For family events, they may provide the food rather than hire a caterer. Zoning administrator Cristal Adkins made it clear that the ordinance requires that all Minnesota Department of Health regulations be satisfied, when the venue is being rented.
O’Connor explained that they have a farm insurance policy for liability protection, adding that the insurance provider is aware of the event use of the barn. Duane Bakke requested that a copy of the relatively new ordinance be provided to O’Connor. Adkins asked that O’Connor be required to provide insurance information that shows liability coverage. She added that they should be in compliance with State Fire Marshal rules. Brad Erickson suggested all of the exits be marked. Bakke noted that the ordinance requires that state statutes be adhered to.
There were no comments from township officers or the public. The commission voted to send the CUP request on to the county board with the conditions that a certificate of insurance be provided and that state and federal fire regulations are followed.
Randy and Debbie Ristau presented their plan to build a 100-foot by 50-foot special event pavilion on the Randy Ristau property in Section 5 Preston Township. Debbie described her difficulty in finding a venue for a wedding in this region.
She explained that they want to build a venue from the ground up near the Preston city sign. The special event rental pavilion will be primarily for weddings, including ceremony, reception, and dance for up to 300 guests. It is to be open on three sides with an enclosed area for catering, storage, and dressing room. The three-season structure will have a curtain system. OnSite Sanitation Co., Rochester, will be hired to provide a restroom trailer with running water.
Debbie said catering and alcohol services will be contracted out and the liability will be with them. She expects there could be one event per weekend from May through September. Debbie said there is nothing in southeast Minnesota close to this and it will promote the local area. She said there is adequate parking area and good site distance for accessing Highway 52. Adkins said the Ristaus will have to contact MnDot to get the driveway access approved.
During the public hearing, Preston Township Supervisor Andrew Bisek said we support this endeavor. Neighboring land owner Michael Tomashek asked about restrictions on noise. Debbie said the hours of operation should be from Friday evening to Saturday midnight. Randy Ristau added they hope to start construction this fall.
Approval was given to send the CUP request on to the county board with these conditions: the entertainment is to be shut down Saturday at midnight, MnDot approval of driveway access is required, certificate of insurance is to be provided, and state and federal fire regulations are to be followed.
Other business in brief
• Planning commission member Jim Keune announced he is retiring from the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment. He has represented District 4 since 1999 in this capacity.
• Adkins suggested that the penalty fee required for those that fail to get a building permit before building be increased. There may be a discussion concerning this and other fees at the next meeting.
• Gary Ruskell suggested they take a look at the county’s Comprehensive Plan. He said we should keep up with the times, adding Rochester is growing. Things are changing and some things are outdated. The last comprehensive plan was updated over 10 years ago. Bakke said a consultant would have to be hired to do the demographics. He said studies are being done all the time. A regional document is being done concerning the effects of Destination Medical Center. Bakke suggested that members of the commission review the current Comprehensive Plan.
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