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City of <br />Elk - <br />River <br />To <br />City Council <br />Meeting Date <br />March 18, 2024 <br />Item Description <br />Conditional Use Permit: Cargill, Agricultural <br />Research Facility (Dairy Barn) - 10700 165th Ave <br />NW <br />Request for Action <br />Item Number <br />7.3 <br />Prepared By <br />Zack Carlton, Community Development Director <br />Reviewed by: <br />Cal Portner <br />Tina Allard <br />Action Requested <br />Approve, by motion, the Conditional Use Permit authorizing an agricultural research facility at 10700 165th <br />Ave NW, with the following conditions to satisfy the standards set forth in Section 30-654: <br />The facility must meet all state and local building codes consistent with an agricultural research <br />operation. <br />Prior to releasing the building permit, the applicant must demonstrate compliance with all MPCA and <br />EPA requirements. <br />Background/Discussion <br />The property is zoned Agricultural Research (AR) where improvements and modifications to the approved <br />agricultural research facility require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). <br />Cargill is proposing an expansion to their existing dairy operation. The existing dairy operation will transition <br />to a new building which will be equipped with the latest practices of the dairy industry, which include <br />automated feeding, housekeeping, and robotic milking systems. The expansion will also include research <br />spaces and employee support areas. Transitioning to the latest technologies will also improve the manure <br />management system by eliminating daily field spreading. <br />Planning Commission <br />The Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 27, 2024, and had a few questions regarding odor <br />and changes to the manure management plans. Penny LaPlante, the facility Operations Manager, explained the <br />manure management changes. No one else spoke during the public hearing and staff did not receive any <br />additional comments before or after the public hearing. <br />The Commission unanimously recommended approval with the recommended conditions. <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A avelcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community p p W E R E U A Y <br />engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />229 <br />