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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Morse residents score win at the Planning Commission

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 11/12/15

MORSE TOWNSHIP— Residents and township officials here scored a victory last Thursday, as the St. Louis County Planning Commission, meeting in Virginia, narrowly rejected a proposal to create a …

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Morse residents score win at the Planning Commission

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MORSE TWP.— Residents and township officials here scored a victory last Thursday, as the St. Louis County Planning Commission, meeting in Virginia, narrowly rejected a proposal to create a transfer station and a crushing and recycling operation on a forty-acre parcel just off the Wolf Lake Road.

With the town board unanimously on record in opposition, and with nearly 30 township residents in the audience, many of whom spoke in opposition to the plan, the commission voted 3-2 to deny the request by Salvage Solutions, of Mankato, for a conditional use permit.

Noise, dust, and safety topped the list of concerns raised by residents. Morse Board Chair Len Cersine, in remarks to the commission, noted that the area, tucked between Wolf Lake and the southwest end of Burntside Lake, has become increasingly residential in character, making it an inappropriate place for an industrial operation.

Jeff Sundell, a local resident, echoed those concerns, and noted that safety was a major concern for him, with the prospect of a significant increase in large truck traffic on the narrow, winding road. “I’m a cyclist, my wife runs, and my kids ride their bikes on the road,” he said. “And there’s no shoulder on the road.”

A number of residents near the site complained that the noise from truck traffic and cement crushing operations would significantly impair their enjoyment of their existing homes, or homes under construction.

Stacy Thornton, who said he traveled 1,400 miles to appear at the hearing, told the commission that he had invested his life savings in a retirement home that he’s currently building on property adjacent to the proposed facility. “I chose this land because of its remoteness, and that it’s wild and very quiet,” he said. “Now I find out this operation would be 1,500 feet from my front porch. I’m devastated.”

Phil Hagedorn called Wolf Lake “a gem” and said Salvage Solutions’ proposal “would impose a heavy industrial use on our neighborhood.”

Terry Schocke, another local landowner, said the proposal raised questions about potential environmental impacts, such as runoff from stored asphalt, concrete, or other materials stored on the site.

Despite such concerns, county planning staff had recommended approval of the CUP, with several conditions, finding that the proposed use did not conflict with any other uses in the area.

In arguing for the project, Ben Carleton, of Salvage Solutions, said his operations are heavily regulated for noise and dust by both federal and state authorities. And he told commissioners he would have no problem following the conditions recommended by planning staff.

Carleton said the site he proposed for his operation sits in a bowl, which would help contain noise and dust. He also argued that space needs to be made available for these kinds of operations. “There is a need for this,” he said.

Planning commission member William Coombe agreed with Carleton, and argued that the project met the guidelines laid down in state statute and the county ordinance. “We try to do it right. The book is what I have to go by, and state statute,” he said. “We don’t go by the adage that the loudest voice is always correct.”

But Coombe’s motion to approve the CUP, with review after one year, fell short 3-2.

After some discussion, commission member Diana Werschay motioned to deny the request, based on input from the town board and residents.

“I’m taking into consideration the expertise of the town of Morse,” Werschay said. “They know their area, and believe it’s too residential. I don’t feel it’s a good fit for this area.”

Werschay’s motion was approved, with commission members Ray Svatos and Chair Sonya Merhar joining in support.

The vote seemed to stun Morse residents in the audience, and even commission chair Merhar, who initially reported that the vote had failed. But as the verdict became clear, residents were elated. “They actually listened to us,” said Cersine, following the vote.