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The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community <br />engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br />To <br />Board of Adjustments <br />Item Number <br />5.2 <br /> <br />Meeting Date <br />July 22, 2025 <br />Prepared By <br />Zack Carlton, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Item Description <br />Variance: Zero-foot Setback - Elk River <br />Landfill/Waste Management - 22460 Highway 169 <br />Reviewed by <br />Chris Leeseberg <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Approve, by motion, the Variance request from the Elk River Landfill to allow a 0-foot property line setback, <br />supporting construction of a renewable natural gas processing facility, as the following standards have been <br />met: <br />1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance are met. <br />2. The property has a land use guidance of Industrial and the proposed use is consistent with the <br />Comprehensive Plan. <br />3. The proposed use is reasonable and is permitted in the zoning ordinance. <br />4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the property, not a consequence of the <br />petitioner's own action or inaction. <br />5. The variance will not alter the essential character of the locality. <br /> <br />If the Board approves the request, staff recommend the following conditions: <br />1. The City Council must approve the Conditional Use Permit for the renewable natural gas facility (CU 25- <br />08). <br />2. Sherburne County/Livonia Township must approve all land use applications associated with the proposed <br />use. <br />3. The applicant shall work with staff for an on-site review of the facility location prior to beginning <br />construction activities. <br /> <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The Elk River Landfill (ERL) and Minnesota Municipal Power Association (MMPA) are proposing the <br />development of a renewable natural gas facility that will recycle waste landfill gas into a fuel source for <br />domestic uses. The landfill gas will be processed to remove water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, <br />and other impurities. The processed gas will then be transported underground to a sister facility that will add <br />the gas to an existing Northern Natural Gas line. <br /> <br />Elk River Landfill operates on numerous parcels within the City of Elk River and Livonia Township. In siting <br />the facility, the landfill had to take many factors into account, and the best location ultimately ended up <br />crossing jurisdictional boundaries. <br /> <br />The Board of Adjustments is only reviewing the improvements located within their jurisdiction. The applicant <br />Page 55 of 81