CY31-25

Request of Northern Natural Gas Co. for a conditional use permit to allow the expansion of an existing essential service utility facility located in the R-1, one-family dwelling district, and for a variance to allow for the continuation of an 8’ barbed wire fence in the residential district. The subject property is described as a tract of land located in the north 13.90 acres of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 19, Township 108 North, Range 26 West, Blue Earth County. (Blue Earth County PID R010919226001 and R010919226002, 1204 and 1210 Warren Street).
 

The applicant is Northern Natural Gas. 

The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow for the expansion of an existing essential service utility facility located in the R-1, one-family dwelling district, and for a variance to allow for the continuation of an 8' barbed wire fence in the residential district. 

The subject properties are located at 1204 and 1210 Warren Street. 

The property at 1204 Warren Street is currently the location of an essential service utility facility. 1210 Warren Street is the location of an existing church. 

The subject properties are zoned R-1, one-family dwelling, district. 

There is a slope/bluff area and a woodland located at 1210 Warren Street. 

Northern Natural Gas Co. is requesting a conditional use permit to allow the expansion of an existing essential service utility facility located in the R-1, one-family dwelling district, and for a variance to allow for the continuation of an 8’ barbed wire fence in the residential district. The subject property is described as a tract of land located in the North 13.90 acres of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 19, Township 108 North, Range 26 West, Blue Earth County. The Parcel Identification Numbers include Blue Earth County PID R010919226001 and R010919226002,and the subject addresses associated with the proposal are1204 and 1210 Warren Street. 

The applicant is seeking a conditional use permit to allow an extension of the existing gas utility location at 1204 and 1210 Warren. The 40’ X 100’ expansion area is property located to the east of the current site and would be available by way of a lease from the existing church. The applicant’s narrative states that the purpose of the expansion is to accommodate a heater to warm the gas as it passes through the piping to prevent the regulator from freezing and ensuring reliable gas delivery.

A variance is also being requested to continue the existing 8’ fence, which includes barbed wire on the top, around the new area. There is an existing fence of the same construction type around the current site. Barbed wire is allowed in industrial districts, but because of the zoning designation, the applicant is seeking flexibility on the use of the fence.