On the agenda: Litchfield meeting — data center (Feb 10)

2026 Zoning Ordinance changes
The Meeker County Planning Commission will meet at the Government Center in Litchfield,
MN on February 10, 2026 at 5:00pm to consider the following possible Zoning Ordinance
Amendments.
The proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance are summarized as follows, please note that
additions are indicated in bold text, with the exception of paragraph headings, and the deleted
items are struck out. Each individual numbered item constitutes a separate hearing.
(1) Section 5.05.2.a Permits Required – Change to read
2. Building permit. This permit shall be required for any non-agricultural-related construction.
a. Building permit expiration. Every building permit issued by the building official under
the provision of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the
building or work authorized by such building permit is not commenced within 180
days 18 months from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by
such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a
period of 180 days 18 months. Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply
for an extension of the time within which work may commence under that permit
when the permittee is unable to commence work within the time required by this
section for good and satisfactory reasons. The building official may extend the time
for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days on written request by
the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have
prevented action from being taken.
(2) Section 6A.03 Denial and Reconsideration -- Change to read
No application for a conditional use permit affecting substantially the same property for the same
use shall be resubmitted for a period of six months from the date of said order of denial by the
Meeker County Board of Commissioners. Conditional use permits shall be valid for 12 18
months unless otherwise specified.
(3) Section 6A.04 Permit Expiration – Change to read
Unless a land use permit or a building permit is issued and significant work has been completed
within 12 18 months from the date of permit approval, then such permit shall become null and
void, unless a petition for extension of time in which to complete the work has been granted by
the county board. An extension of a conditional use permit shall be requested in writing and filed
with the zoning administrator at least 30 days before the conditional use permit is due to become
null and void. The request for extension shall state facts showing a good faith attempt to do
significant work toward meeting the specifications and conditions of the permit. Said petition
shall be presented to the county board for a decision.

(4) Section 6B.04 Permit Expiration – Change to read
Unless a land use permit or a building permit is issued and significant work has been completed
within 12 18 months from the date of permit approval, then such permit shall become null and
void, unless a petition for extension of time in which to complete the work has been granted by
the county board. An extension of an interim use permit shall be requested in writing and filed
with the zoning administrator at least 30 days before the interim use permit is due to become null
and void. The request for extension shall state facts showing a good faith attempt to do
significant work toward meeting the specifications and conditions of the permit. Said petition
shall be presented to the county board for a decision.
(5) Section 6B.06.A Permit Duration -- Add
A. An interim use permit shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events;
whichever first occurs:
1.
The date stated in the permit; or
2.
A violation of conditions under which the permit was issued; or
3.
A change in the county's zoning ordinance renders the use nonconforming.
4.
No Interim Use permit of any sort granted pursuant to this Ordinance is
transferable to any other person or premises. If a change of
ownership/control over 50% or change in location of any licensed premises
occurs, whether pursuant to move, sale, transfer, assignment, or otherwise,
the owner or proposed new owner must complete a new application subject
to approval pursuant to the Ordinance.
(6) Section 7.05 Variance Expiration – Change to read
Unless a land use permit or building permit is issued and significant work has been completed
within 12 18 months from the date of approval of a variance, said variance shall become null and
void, unless a petition for extension of time in which to complete the work has been granted by
the board of adjustment. An extension of a variance shall be requested in writing and filed with
the zoning administrator at least 30 days before the expiration date of the original variance. The
request for extension shall state facts showing a good faith attempt to complete the work
permitted in the variance. Such petition shall be presented to the board of adjustment for a
decision.
(7) Section 8.01 Zoning Administrator – Add
L. Institute in the name of the county any appropriate actions or proceedings necessary to enforce
the provisions of this ordinance with assistance, when needed, from the County Attorney
and the Sheriff of Meeker County when called upon by the Zoning Administrator to
perform such duties.
(8) Section 11.01.D.5 Residential density options – Add
(5) All further subdivisions must be re-zoned and platted according to the Meeker County

Zoning Ordinance article 13 (R-1), article 14 (R-2) and the Meeker County
Subdivision Ordinance or platted in the overlay district and remains zoned A-1
according to the provisions of article 19B and the Meeker County Subdivision
Ordinance.
a. Rezones from A-1 to R-1 or R-2 should be contiguous to other R-1 or R-2
properties.
(9) Section 11.02 Permitted Uses – Change and Add
G. Essential service facilities and structures (telephone, fiber optics, electric
distribution, gas distribution, water distribution) and that subject to section 22.08.
O. Tiling, sewer and small road contractors' equipment and storage yard.
T. Solar energy systems less than 100 kilowatt or less than 300 kilowatts if used for
agriculture related business not for open sale of power.
(10) Section 11.03 Conditional – Change and Add
H. Small engine repair limited to structures not exceeding a 3,000 4,800 square foot area in total.
I. Upholstery shop and furniture shops limited to structures not exceeding a 3,000 4,800 square
foot area in total.
J. Electric, plumbing, heating and general repair shops limited to structures not exceeding a
3,000 4,800 square foot area in total.
K. Machine welding shop limited to structures not exceeding a 3,000 6,000 square foot area in
total.
O. Lumber mill and rough lumber processing, wood product manufacturing and building
material sales.
AA. Wind turbines for the generation of wind energy over 40-kilowatt AC and under 25
megawatts. Solar farms for generation of solar energy over 100 kilowatts AC and
under 50 MW for generation of solar energy.
FF. Florist shops, plant nurseries and garden supply sales.
GG. Restaurants and country stores.
HH. Light manufacturing, production and processing related to the agriculture or building
industry, which in the opinion of the Planning Commission shall not be injurious or
offensive to the surrounding land by reason of air pollution, noise, vibration, odor,
glare, fire and explosion hazards.

(11) Section 11.04 Interim Uses – Add
N. Cannabis cultivation.
(12) Section 11.06 Site Development Regulations – Change and Add
M. Setback from feedlots.
2. No dwelling shall hereafter be erected within 1,000 1,320 feet from an existing Class
A or B feedlot with 50 or more animal units in non-shoreland, or ten or more animal
units in a shoreland district without first obtaining a signed waiver regarding setback
as per section 22.10.G, or being granted a variance to said setback. This provision
does not apply to a new residence being built to replace an existing residence or a
dwelling being built for an owner/operator of the feedlot as is defined in sections
23.40.1.1 and 23.40.1.2.
P. Animal units.
1. Each residential building site consisting of less than ten acres may have no more than
two animal units with the following exceptions: a maximum of one animal unit per
acre up to a maximum of ten animal units per site.
a. Additional animal units may be allowed through a conditional use permit to a
maximum of one animal unit per acre up to a maximum ten animal units per
site.
b. a. No more than two swine total per site.
c. b. No more than 20 poultry total per acre per site.
d. c. A proposed new animal feedlot or a manure storage area shall not be
permitted within a shoreland district, a floodplain, 300 feet of a sinkhole,
100 feet of a private well, or 1,000 feet of a community water supply well or
other wells serving a public school as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
section 120A.05, a private school excluding home school sites, or a licensed
child care center where the well is vulnerable.
e. d. Existing animal feedlots or manure storage areas within the shoreland district
shall refer to section 22.10.D.4.a through d of this ordinance.
T. Setbacks for wind energy facilities and data centers.
Object
Non-owner dwelling

Setback Over 100kw
1,320 1,000 feet

Setback 100kw or less
800 750 feet

(13) Section 13.04.F.3 Site Regulations – Add
3. Non-shoreland lots.
Area
Width
Single
50,000
150
Maximum area for a new R-1 zoned platted lot is 5 acres.

(14) Section 14.04.F.3 Site Regulations – Add
3. Non-shoreland lots.
Area
Width
Singe
50,000
150
Maximum area for a new R-2 zoned platted lot is 10 areas.
(15) Section 15.02 Conditional Uses – Add
I. Apartments located above the ground floor or retail and commercial businesses.
J. Data Centers need to provide necessary data indicating strain on local
infrastructure and meets all additional local, state and federal regulations.
(16) Section 17.02.A Conditional Uses – Add
19. Data Centers need to provide necessary data indicating strain on local
infrastructure and meets all additional local, state and federal
regulations.
(17) Section 19A.04.7.a.2
(2) A guest cottage and a garage attached to a guest cottage must not cover
more than 1,400 square feet of land surface and must not exceed 15
feet in height. A maximum of 700 800 square of the above-mentioned
square footage may be livable area and a guest cottage may be allowed
to have an attached garage that does not cover more than 700 600
square feet of land surface and does not exceed 15 feet in height; and
(18) Section 22.08 Essential Services – Add
Essential service facilities shall be regulated according to the procedures described herein.
Required maintenance, or rebuilding or additions to of any essential service facility, when such
maintenance or rebuilding does not change, expand the capacity or change the capability of the
existing facility, shall be exempt from the regulation of this section.
(19) Section 22.13.I.1 -- Add
I. Mandatory compliance inspections of existing systems. An SSTS shall require a compliance
inspection when any one of the following conditions occur:
1. Any time that a permit (other than maintenance) or variance is applied for in a
shoreland management area;
4. Any new construction or new bathroom addition will require a Certificate of
Compliance.

(20) Section 22.37.1.F – Change and Add
F. A separate Conditional Use Permit shall be required for each of the seven Cannabis
Ordinance specific businesses and for each geographic location.
Permitted and conditional uses for cannabis related businesses. Cannabis businesses will be
permitted, conditionally permitted, or not permitted based on the land use district as established
in the table below (C=Conditionally Permitted, NP=Not Permitted).
District

Cannabis Retail
Micro
Business or Mezzo
business

A-1
C NP
Agricultural

Cannabis
Cultivator

Cannabis
Business/
Manufacturer

Cannabis
Wholesale/
Warehouse

Cannabis
Transport
Deliver

Cannabis
Testing

Cannabis
Event

C

C NP

C NP

NP

NP

NP

(21) Section 22.37.2 Retail Cannabis, Microbusiness or Mezzo business: Change and Add
An Interim Conditional Use Permit is only allowed and required in the A-1, C-1, C-2 and I-1
districts for the selling of immature cannabis plants and seedlings, adult-use cannabis flower,
adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, hemp-derived consumer products, and
other products authorized by law to customers.
(22) Section 22.37.2.1.J – Add
j. A cannabis retailer may operate up to two retail locations, if permitted, in one
county. Retail hours will be from 10:00am to 9:00pm, Monday through
Saturday and 11:00am to 6:00pm, Sunday.
(23) Section 22.37.3 Cannabis Cultivator Business – Change and Add
An Interim Conditional Use Permit is required for a producer growing more than eight plants.
Indoor facilities must be less than 30,000 square feet. Outdoor growing locations must be less
than two acres, but can be permitted up to four acres from the state with special approval. A
business licensed or authorized to cultivate cannabis may cultivate cannabis plants indoors or
outdoors, subject to the security, fencing, lighting, and any other requirements deemed
necessary.
(24) Section 22.37.4 Cannabis Manufacturer Business – Change and Add
An Interim Conditional Use Permit is required for the manufacturing of cannabis derived
products and other hemp-derived consumer products, and other products authorized by law to
customers.
(25) Section 22.37.5 Cannabis Wholesale/Warehouse Business – Change and Add
An Interim Conditional Use Permit is required for the storage and wholesaling of cannabis

derived products and other hemp-derived consumer products, and other products authorized by
law to customers.
(26) Section 22.37.6 Cannabis Transport/Delivery Business – Change and Add
An Interim Conditional Use Permit is required for a business that transports or delivers cannabis
derived products and other hemp-derived consumer products, and other products authorized by
law to customers.
(27) Section 22.37.7 Cannabis Testing Facility – Add
A. An Interim Use Permit is required for a cannabis testing business. A cannabis testing
facility license entitles the license holder to obtain and test immature cannabis plants and
seedlings, cannabis flower, cannabis products and hemp products.
(28) Section 23.50 Guest Cottage – Change and Add
"Guest cottage" means a structure with or without an attached garage which may not be
constructed on a basement which is used as a dwelling unit that may contain sleeping spaces,
kitchen and bathroom facilities in addition to those provided in the primary dwelling unit. A
guest cottage and a garage attached to a guest cottage shall be considered an accessory structure
and its square footage shall be used in calculating the maximum allowed square footage of
accessory buildings per lot. The habitable area with a ceiling height of seven feet or greater of
the guest cottage may not exceed 700 800 square feet and the attached garage may not exceed
700 600 square feet for a total of a maximum of 1,400 square feet of land surface coverage.
(29) Section 23.52.1 Holidays – Add
Holidays will be the observed as the following: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July
4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
(30) Section 23.75.05 Mini-Storage Buildings – Change and Add
The term "mini-storage building" means a type of compartmented building or shipping
container utilized for the sole purpose of storage open to whether it be private or public storage.
Size shall be limited to 5,000 12,000 square feet. The maximum number of storage buildings
allowed per site is two.
(31) Article VIII – Administration and Fees: – Change and Add
Sec. 8.01 – Zoning Administrator
L. Institute in the name of the county any appropriate actions or proceedings necessary to enforce
the provisions of this ordinance with when needed, assistance from the County Attorney
and the Sheriff of Meeker County when called upon by the Zoning Administrator to
perform such duties.