Phone: 507-637-4023
403 South Mill Street, P.O. Box 130
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
The Redwood County Environmental Office is tasked with implementation of a variety of programs. The following is an overview of what we do and how we are here to serve the Community.
Proposed Amendments to the Redwood County Zoning Ordinance
Redwood County has been undergoing a project to update and redraft portions of the zoning ordinance. The proposed changes can be found in the links below. The “redline” version of the changes is informational and should be used only to see where in the ordinance changes may have taken place. In some instances it will appear that changes have taken place where in fact none have. If you have any questions please call our office. There was an open house to discuss these amendments on March 28th at the Wabasso Community Center.
Amendments Made to Proposed Ordinance Following Open House
March 28 Open House Announcement
Proposed Ordinance Changes Synopsis
Feedlot Setback Comparison Chart
Draft Redwood County Zoning Ordinance
Draft Redwood County Zoning Ordinance Redline
Planning and Zoning
Planning and Zoning
Overview
It is the duty of the County Zoning Office to administer and enforce the Redwood County Zoning Ordinance. Zoning is used to ensure orderly land use development within the County. The Redwood County community has a real interest in how land is used – now and in the future. Land use decisions have an effect on quality of life, economics, and the environment. The authority to adopt zoning regulations to help eliminate the adverse impact of poor land use decisions has been granted to counties by Minnesota State Law.
The ability to adopt a zoning ordinance starts with the creation of a Comprehensive Plan. The Comp Plan is a 20 year guidance document and provides the legal basis for establishing land use controls. Our zoning ordinance must comply with the goals contained within our Comp Plan.
The main goal of our office in enforcing the zoning ordinance is to maintain orderly growth and development in the county and to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. We strive to work within the requirements of our zoning ordinance and other applicable laws to accommodate the citizens of Redwood County to ensure logical, consistent, and reasonable results.
Zoning Ordinance
SECTION 3. JURISDICTION, SCOPE AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 4. CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRICTS
SECTION 5. “FP” FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
SECTION 6. “S” SCENIC RIVER DISTRICT
SECTION 7. “A” AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
SECTION 8. “R-1” RURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
SECTION 9. “UE” URBAN EXPANSION DISTRICT
SECTION 10. “B-1” HIGHWAY SERVICE BUSINESS
SECTION 11. “I-1” INDUSTRY DISTRICT
SECTION 12. THROUGH 14 RESERVED
SECTION 15. SOLAR POWER MANAGEMENT
SECTION 16. GENERAL REGULATIONS-TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBDIVISION 5. EXTRACTION OF MINERALS,
MATERIALS, OPEN PITS AND IMPOUNDINGSUBDIVISION 10. EXCEPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE ZONING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
SECTION 17. FEEDLOT REGULATIONS
SECTION 18. ESSENTIAL SERVICES REGULATIONS
SECTION 19. WINDPOWER MANAGEMENT
SECTION 20. TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER MANAGEMENT
SECTION 21 NON-CONFORMING USES
SECTION 22. RULES AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 24. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 26. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
SECTION 27. AMENDMENTS AND REZONING
SECTION 28. VIOLATION AND PENALTIES
SECTION 33. SHORELAND ORDINANCE
SECTION 35. ADMINISTRATION OF MPCA ISTS LOAN FUNDS
Comprehensive Plan
Redwood County Comprehensive Plan
Effective Jan. 1, 2008Redwood County Comprehensive Plan Maps
Effective Jan. 1, 2008
Board of Adjustment
What is the Board of Adjustment?
The Board of Adjustment is made up of 3 members and is tasked with hearing variances and appeals to the County’s official land use controls.
Are Board of Adjustment Members Elected?
No, Board of Adjustment Members are appointed by the Redwood County Commissioners.
Who is on the Board of Adjustment?
- Dan Tauer
- John Schueller
- John Rohlik, Jr.
Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes
Board of Adjustment Meeting Agendas
2018
2017
- August 9, 2017
- May 24, 2017
- Jordan and Taylor Zuehlsdorf
- Meadowland Farmers Coop
- January 4, 2017
Planning Commission
What is the Planning Commission?
The Planning Commission is made up of 6 members, including 1 from each of the 5 districts and 1 County Commissioner. The Planning Commission is an advisory body which makes recommendations to the County Commissioners on land use planning decisions.
What does the Planning Commission do?
- Prepares and Recommends to the Redwood County Board of Commissioners a county comprehensive plan and official land use controls necessary to aid in the plan’s execution.
- Holds public hearings for all comprehensive plans, official controls, conditional permit applications, subdivision platting proposals, amendment to the same, and other matters as may be prescribed by the county ordinance.
Are Planning Commission Members Elected?
No, Planning Commission Members are appointed by the Redwood County Commissioners.
Who is on the Planning Commission?
1st District – John Rohlik, Jr.
2nd District – Michael Scheffler
3rd District – Mark Madsen
4th District – Michael Kaufenberg
5th District – Jeff Huseby
County Commissioner – Dave Forkrud (district 5)
County Commissioner Alternate – Lon Walling (district 1)
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
2017
2016
2015
Planning Commission Meeting Agendas
2017
2016
November 28, 2016
– Alex Madsen Packet
– Tim Kerkhoff Packet- October 31, 2016
– Jess Stolp CUP Packet
– Stephen Tersteeg CUP Packet September 26, 2016
– Salfer Packet
– Shaefer Packet
– Mathiowetz/Kettner Packet
– Mathiowetz/Hansen/Neitzel PackeJuly 25, 2016
– L & S Construction Packet
– Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water PacketApril 11, 2016
– Beermann Packet
– Christensen Packet
– Knott Packet
Septics
Septics
Overview
The Environmental Office is charged with ensuring that septic systems installed throughout the County are designed, constructed, and installed correctly so that they do not pose a threat to human health or the environment. Septic systems are effective at processing human waste and preventing pollution when they are installed and maintained correctly. The County works closely with landowners when new systems are installed or old systems are replaced to ensure that they will function properly. No septic system may be installed without being approved by the County.
What we do?
- We review and approve all septic system designs to make sure they are in compliance with the septic ordinance
- We conduct onsite inspections
- Soil inspection prior to design
- Inspection when septic tank is set in the ground
- Inspection when the distribution pipes are laid in the ground
- We assist landowners with questions about system operation and maintenance
- We provide low interest loans and low income grants to assist individuals with upgrading non compliant or failing systems.
Helpful Materials
GIS
GIS
What is GIS?
GIS stands for “Geographic Information System” and it is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data. If you have ever used google maps to find an address, or the closest gas station, you have seen GIS in action. GIS is simply information with a location.
Overview
The Redwood County Environmental Office is tasked with maintaining, improving, and creating digital databases relevant to the County. This can include infrastructure, land use, land cover, administrative or political boundaries, demographics, environmental, emergency management, and any other data which can be combined with a geographically referenced location. GIS is a valuable tool to manage large systems and provides a way to display large amounts of data in an easy to understand fashion.
Our Office maintains all of our digital spatial data in a way that it is accessible and useful to other County Departments as well as the residents of Redwood County. It is difficult to adequately explain how important GIS is to the functioning of a modern government organization. The value we derive from GIS is only going to increase, and our investments now should pay off well into the future.
GIS to the Public
In 2016, Redwood County launched a new service, which provides the general public with access to our GIS data. Beacon™ was the product chosen by the County to provide this service. Beacon™ is an online interface that allows users to interact with data uploaded by Redwood County. This data is in the form of “layers” that includes our roads, parcel information, waterways, public drainage, political lines, and more. Beacon™ takes this data and represents it on high quality interactive imagery which makes it highly accessible to the public.
Drainage
Drainage
Overview
Redwood County maintains the Public Drainage System that was established under MN Statute 103E. This includes County drain tile and County ditches. The Drainage Inspector maintains the drainage system by performing timely repairs and maintenance to keep the systems working efficiently. The repairs are done by private contractors.
There are over 520 miles of County open ditches and over 1100 miles of County tile lines in Redwood County. The County Drainage system is funded by those who benefit from the system as determined by “viewers”. When the drainage systems were established, “viewers” went out and determined by quarter quarters what land was going to be benefiting from the new drainage. Using a formula based on soil types, slope, and proximity to the ditch and tile, dollar amounts are assigned to each quarter quarter (40 acres). When work is conducted on a drainage system the individuals who are benefiting are assessed the cost based off their benefits in proportion to the system as a whole.
Helpful Materials
Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic Invasive Species
Overview
In 2014 the MN Legislature passed a bill providing $10 million to Minnesota counties to support Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention programs. Redwood County receives approximately $20,000 / year in funding. Redwood County has adopted a AIS Prevention Plan which outlines the steps the County is going to take. Our prevention plan focuses on awareness and public education.
What are AIS? Species such as Asian Carp, Zebra Mussels, Milfoil, and others, threaten to change the way we interact with our waters. Aquatic invasive species (sometimes called exotic, invasive, nonindigenous or non-native) are aquatic organisms that invade ecosystems beyond their natural, historic range. Their presence may harm native ecosystems or commercial, agricultural, or recreational activities dependent on these ecosystems. They may even harm our health
Helpful Materials
Noxious Weeds
Noxious Weeds
Overview
The Redwood County Environmental Office oversees the enforcement of the states Noxious Weed Law. Noxious weeds are those that have the potential to cause great economical or physical harm. This could include physical harm to people (e.g. Giant Hogweed) or economic harm to crops (e.g. Palmer Amaranth). It is the legal responsibility of all landowners to comply with the noxious weed law on their property.
Questions
What should I do if I discover noxious weeds on another property?
You should contact your city government, township supervisor, or the Redwood County Environmental Office, and let them know the location. If you have a camera, please take a picture of what you see.
What should I do if I have noxious weeds on my property, but do not know the best way to eradicate them?
Please contact the Redwood County Environmental Office for assistance.
Informational Links
Buffer Law
Buffer Law
Ordinance
Informational Links
Forms
Reports
Reports
2015-2018 Middle Minnesota Watershed Low Interest Loan Report
- 2015 WCA Annual Reporting Form
- The 2015 NRBG Fund, 2015 WCA Report, and Redwood County Water Management Plan are available at http://www.redwoodswcd.org/WaterManagement.htm
Fee Schedule
Fee Schedule
| Colored Maps (8.5” x 11”) | $ .50/page |
| Colored Maps (8.5” x 14”) | $.75/page |
| Colored Maps (11” x 17”) | $1.00/page |
| Plotter Print-outs | $ 2.00/linear foot |
| General Zoning, Land Use, Building Permits | $35.00 plus .1% for |
| -construction of $100,000 or more, with a maximum of $10,000* | |
| New Home Permits (stick, modular, mobile, moved homes, log, etc.) | $ 100.00 |
| Holding Tank Permits | $ 100.00 |
| Septic System Permit | $ 200.00 |
| Amendment / Rezoning | $ 700.00 |
| Conditional Use Permit | $ 700.00 |
| Variance | $ 700.00 |
| Subdivision Permit | $ 700.00 |
| Shoreland Alteration Permit | $ 40.00 |
| Temporary Filling and Grading Permit | $ 40.00 |
| Appeal Decision to Board of Adjustment | $ 500.00 |
| Special Meeting | All rates are doubled |
| Handicap Accessibility Permit | $ 150.00 ** |
| Septic System Permit - MSTS | $ 1,500.00 |
| Septic System Permit - Type IV, Type V ISTS | $ 100.00 |
| After the Fact Permit | All rates are doubled |
| * If a Conditional Use Permit has already been granted the zoning permit fee may be reduced by up to the cost of the conditional use permit for all buildings material to the conditional use and included on the conditional use application which are built within one (1) year of conditional use permit approval date | |
| ** Major Projects will be charged at $45.00/hour - Major Projects are all projects that require more than three hours of work related to the inspections of the Minnesota Handicapped Accessibility codes |
GIS Fees
| (Custom maps, special data requests, or other data analysis services) | $40.00 / hour (15 minute increments) No charge for less than 15 minutes. |
| Parcel Data | $700.00/County |
| Or $ .10/per parcel | |
| All other GIS Data | Free |
| Beacon subscription – 1 week | $10.00 / user |
| Beacon subscription – 1 month | $25.00 / user |
| Beacon subscription – 1 year | $150.00 for 1-5 users |
| $200.00 for 6-10 users | |
| $250.00 for 11+ users |
2009, 2013, 2016 Aerial Photos
*Free for government entities
| All County Sections – Per year – (2009 6 & 12 inch Resolution) (2013 4 & 9 inch resolution) (2016 3 & 9 inch resolution) (2017 3 & 6 inch resolution) | $3,000.00 |
| Neighborhood Resolution-per section (2009 6 inch resolution) (2013 4 inch resolution) (2016 3 inch resolution) (2017 3 inch resolution redwood falls only) | $100.00 |
| Community Resolution-per section (2009 12 inch resolution) (2013 9 inch resolution) (2016 9 inch resolution) (2017 6 inch resolution) | $50.00 |
Staff
Staff:
Scott Wold – Director
Nick Brozek – Land Use and Zoning Supervisor
Brent Lang – Ditch Inspector, Ag Inspector
Scott Larsen – GIS Specialist
Adam Kletscher – Plum Creek County Park Supervisor
Lali Ortega– Administrative Assistant