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Variance Request to the City of Elk River Section 2. Setback Variance Request <br />June 30, 2025 <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />Section 2. Setback Variance Request <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Section 2.1 Project Narrative <br /> <br />The proposed project is an access road and utility equipment for an underground natural gas <br />interconnection to the Northern Natural Gas (NNG) pipeline located on the eastern side of the <br />property. The utility equipment supports the MMPA renewable natural gas project proposed at <br />the Elk River Landfill. <br /> <br />The proposed gravel access road is approximately 3,300 feet in length and 20 feet wide. <br />Underground electric and natural gas utilities are proposed along the length of the access road. <br />The utility equipment includes three equipment enclosures and two fenced equipment yards. <br />The proposed utility equipment includes a compressor, natural gas instrumentation, <br />measurement and metering equipment, electrical equipment, and underground piping. <br /> <br /> <br />Section 2.2 Variance Request <br /> <br />MMPA owns the proposed project property in the City of Elk River. The legal description of <br />the property is shown in Attachment A. <br /> <br />MMPA requests a variance for a wetland buffer strip setback encroachment at two (2) locations <br />and a wetland buffer strip encroachment at one (1) location as shown in Attachment B – see <br />drawings C3-20 and C3-21. MMPA will maintain 25-foot wetland buffer strip and comply with <br />the additional 20-foot wetland buffer strip setback in all other locations along the access road. <br />No impacts to wetlands are proposed. <br /> <br />The following information is provided as required by the City of Elk River ordinance <br />Section 30-365. <br /> <br />A variance may be granted by the board only if it finds that: <br /> <br />(1) The variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance. <br /> <br />The purpose and intent of the ordinance is the protection of wetlands to maximum extent <br />possible while allowing a reasonable use of the property. The proposed access road provides <br />access to the east side of the site. Other wetlands and topography on the site prevent a <br />reasonable routing alternative. The routing is also consistent with historical use of the property. <br />The requested variances allow for access to the east side of the site and are in harmony with the <br />ordinance. <br /> <br />(2) The variance is consistent with the City of Elk River comprehensive plan. <br /> <br />The City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan designates the future land use of the site as <br />Business Park. The proposed access road and location of the utility equipment enables future <br />development of the land consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Page 13 of 81