Commission approves local rezones and IUPs for vehicle sales and readymix plant; rezoning approved for long-standing commercial parcels

Sherburne County planning commissioners handled several land-use and permit requests beyond the veterinary and solar items and approved three matters that move forward with conditions or as final recommendations.

Rezoning for Gopher State exposition parcels: The commission approved a rezoning request by Anthony and Gina Forsier to change two five-acre parcels from agricultural to commercial, finding the parcels have long served commercial uses (carnival/transport operations) and that the rezoning would correct a mapping inconsistency dating to the 1990s. Haven Township had recommended approval; the commission’s findings concluded the rezoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan and historical use.

TNG Equipment Sales IUP (vehicle sales): Applicants requested an interim use permit to operate a small vehicle-sales business using part of an existing building on the Forsier/Gopher State property. Staff proposed 11 conditions (no on-site mechanical repairs; limit the display/stored inventory to ten units; compliance with Department of Public Safety dealer rules; specified hours). Commissioners clarified condition language to limit allowed items to passenger vehicles, trucks and trailers and approved the IUP with the amended conditions; applicant confirmed septic upgrades and agreed to operate under stated hours and display limits.

Knife River readymix IUP (portable concrete plant): Knife River requested an IUP to add a portable readymix concrete plant at an existing gravel mining operation. Staff and township comments noted adequate truck access and existing dust controls; Knife River proposed a baghouse for cement powder handling and calcium-chloride water-based dust control. The commission approved the IUP with six conditions including hours of operation, dust-control practices, and decommissioning/monitoring requirements for wetland impacts tied to required permits.

These actions reflect a mix of correcting historic map anomalies (Forsier rezoning) and permitting discrete rural commercial/industrial activities with conditions intended to limit community impacts.