On the agenda: New Ulm Planning Commission Meeting — data center (Nov 10)

Planning Commission
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Brown County Courthouse Room 204
Note: These meetings are being recorded
MEETING AGENDA:
1. Call to Order
1.
2.

Call to Order

Approval of Minutes
2.1 September 8, 2026
2.2 October 13, 2026

3.

Plats
3.1 APP-P-0185
Application filed by Brandon Marks is to consider the Final Plat of Marks
2nd Subdivision.

4.

Other Business
4.1 Zoning Report
4.2 Recommendations from today go to the County Board of Commissioners
on November 17th, 2026 at 10:00AM
4.3 Next Meeting: December 8th, 2026, at 9:00 AM

5.

Adjourn

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BROWN COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
September 8, 2026
The Brown County Planning & Zoning Commission held a regularly scheduled public
meeting at Brown County Commissioners Room on September 8, 2026, at 9:00 AM.
Planning Commission members present: Joe Stadheim, Dan Lendt, Dennis Potter, Lisa
Fischer, and Tony Berg- County Commissioner. Also present: Sam Hansen – County
Administrator, Charles Hanson – County Attorney, Robert Santaella – Zoning
Administrator, and Amanda Lang – Asst. Zoning Administrator.
Members of the public present: None
The meeting was called to order by Chair Joe Stadheim at 9:00 AM.
The minutes from August 11, 2026, were reviewed. A motion to approve was made by
Berg and Seconded by Fischer. Motion carried 5-0 on a unanimous vote.
The first item of business was a registered land survey.
Registered land survey on the property owned by Julie Bode known as Registered Land
Survey No. 2 (2.1± acres). This is a County initiated Survey.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application.
Motion was made by Berg and Seconded by Potter to recommend approval to the
County Board. Motion was passed 5-0 on a unanimous vote.
The second item of business was a final plat application APP-P-0181.
Application filed by Mark Schaefer on the properties owned by Mark P Schaefer & Kim
M Schaefer and Kyle L & Christie L Muklebust known as Schaefer’s 4th Subdivision
(2.50 acres and 2.71 acres). Application is to replat Lot 1 of S&S 2nd Subdivision, and
to create a new lot.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application and noted that the
condition of an easement was added.
Motion was made by Fischer and Seconded by Berg to recommend approval to the
County Board. Motion was passed 5-0 on a unanimous vote.
The third item of business was a final plat application APP-P-0183.
Application filed by Thomas Kachelmeier on the properties owned by Thomas &
Bernadette Kachelmeier known as Hel Trust Subdivision (9.90± Acres). Application is to
split the outbuildings from the tillable land.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application.

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Motion was made by Potter and Seconded by Fischer to recommend approval to the
County Board. Motion was passed 5-0 on a unanimous vote.
The fourth and final item of business was a preliminary plat application APP-P0184.
Application filed by Kevin Yeo on the properties owned by Kevin & Barbara Yeo and
Dorothy Shellum known as Shellum 2nd Subdivision (5.73 acres). Application is to add
acreage onto an existing plated lot.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application. There was a question
about why they are not bringing the line to the exiting line fence, and Santaella said the
intent was that the current owner is willing to sell 1 acre.
Motion was made by Berg and Seconded by Lendt to recommend approval to the
County Board. Motion was passed 5-0 on a unanimous vote.
Discussion was then had on bringing an Interim Ordinance regarding data centers. Staff
will be bringing a draft ordinance to the next meeting in October.
There being no further business, Chair Stadheim adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Lang, Asst. Zoning Administrator

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BROWN COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
October 13, 2026
The Brown County Planning & Zoning Commission held a regularly scheduled public
meeting at Brown County Commissioners Room on October 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM.
Planning Commission members present: Dan Lendt, Dennis Potter, Lisa Fischer, and
Tony Berg- County Commissioner. Also present: Sam Hansen – County Administrator,
Charles Hanson – County Attorney, Robert Santaella – Zoning Administrator, and
Amanda Lang – Asst. Zoning Administrator.
Members of the public present: Woody Krog, Lee Bowman, Lisa Moldan, Matt Bowman,
Kyle Ludewig
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Lisa Fischer at 9:00 AM.
The minutes from September 8, 2026, were reviewed. A motion to table and make
corrections was made by Lendt and Seconded by Potter. Motion carried 4-0 on a
unanimous vote.
The first item of business was an Interim Use Permit application APP-I-0032.
Application filed by Woody Krog for City Switch by Buell Consulting, Inc. Application is
for a new 340’ tall communication tower with supporting equipment.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application. A public comment
submitted just prior to the meeting was provided to the commission and discussed.
Santaella and Potter clarified that one of the existing towers in the area is a television
tower and the others are communication. Potter asked the applicant why another tower
in the area of the existing ones? Applicant, Woody Krog, gave a presentation with
general information and background to the project. Krog explained that this tower is
taller than the one most recently permitted and constructed to the West. Lendt asked if
this a replacement tower or new one, and Krog responded that this is new as they were
co-locating and it became more expensive, so they decided to create a new tower.
Fischer asked the applicant the reason for relocating and the location selected. Krog
responded that this location allows the service area to remain the same. Lisa Moldan
described the submitted comment and reasons they have opposition to the application.
Potter asked how large of an area the project is being placed on and potential for weed
control and incidental impacts. Krog explained that the site will be managed
appropriately and all setbacks are proposed to be met if something catastrophic would
happen. Lendt comments that while the application is complete, he does not feel it is a
good idea with another one already in the area. Fischer asked about considerations that
can be taken into account, Attorney Hanson responded that is can depend on the
factors and that this commission is allowed to determine those factors.
Findings of Fact were completed.

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Motion was made by Potter and Seconded by Fischer to recommend approval with
listed conditions to the County Board. Motion was passed 3-1 with Lendt dissenting.
The second item of business was an Interim Use Permit application APP-I-0033.
Application filed by Kyle Ludewig DBA Construction Haulers Inc. on the property owned
by Karen A Dubois and John Baier Revocable Trust for an Interim Use Permit is to allow
the use of a gravel mine, to include gravel extraction, screening, and processing.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application and explained a
comment submitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources due to
endangered Blandings Turtles. Fischer clarified that the DNR’s request is to not impact
the turtle, not reject the mine. Lee Bowman lives East of the site and questioned and
commented the road maintenance. Applicant, Kyle Ludewig, stated that the plan is for
trucks to be West bound unless a load is going locally and suited to go East. He also
stated that dust control will be used, access will remain on the property identified, and
meet setback requirements.
Findings of Fact were completed.
Motion was made by Berg and Seconded by Lendt to recommend approval with listed
conditions to the County Board. Motion was passed 4-0 on a unanimous vote.
The third item of business was a final plat application APP-P-0184.
Application filed by Kevin Yeo on the properties owned by Kevin & Barbara Yeo and
Dorothy Shellum known as Shellum 2nd Subdivision (5.73 acres). Application is to add
acreage onto an existing plated lot.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application.
Motion was made by Berg and Seconded by Potter to recommend approval to the
County Board. Motion was passed 4-0 on a unanimous vote.
The fourth item of business was a preliminary plat application APP-P-0185.
Application filed by Brandon Marks on the property owned by Brandon & Sadie Marks
known as Marks 2nd Subdivision (5.73 acres). Application is to replat an existing plated
lot.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application.
Motion was made by Potter and Seconded by Lendt to recommend approval to the
County Board. Motion was passed 4-0 on a unanimous vote.
The fifth and final item of business was a Draft Interim Ordinance to Establish a
Data Center Moratorium.
Discussion: Santaella provided background on the application. Berg agreed this is
needed to help provide standards.

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Motion was made by Berg and Seconded by Lendt to recommend to County Board for
Public Hearing. Motion was passed 4-0 on a unanimous vote.
There being no further business, a Motion was made to Berg and Seconded by Lendt
to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Lang, Asst. Zoning Administrator

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Plat Summary Sheet
Application Number:

APP-P-0185

Applicant/Property Owner:

Brandon Marks / Brandon W & Sadie R Marks

Date of Application:

09/16/2026

Current Legal Description: Lot 1, Block 1 Marks Subdivision, Section 23.
Property Location: Lot 1, Block 1 Marks Subdivision, Section 23, Burnstown Township, Brown County,
Minnesota
Zoning District: A-1 Agricultural Protection Zoning District
Surrounding Zoning Districts: A-1 Agricultural Protection Zoning District
Additional Project Information:
Application is to replat existing plat.
Attachments:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Plat Summary Sheet
Aerial View showing existing property lines
Aerial View showing proposed property lines
Blown up view of Preliminary Plat
Copy of Preliminary Plat
Copy of Final Plat
Copy of Final Plat with Aerial Imagery

Plat Status: Plat application was filed on September 16th, 2026. Preliminary plat was approved by the
County Board of Commissioners on October 20, 2026.
Public Comments: None received.

Recommended Conditions:

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Parcels
230.003.003.13.090
170.030.001.03.030
200.022.002.04.020
170.021.001.08.080
180.022.004.10.130
210.020.002.04.030
180.036.003.13.040

Tax Payer Name
DANIEL L & LISA A SCHNEIDER
DEAN R MATHIOWETZ
CHAD B & KELLY B SPRENGER
AMANDA J MEINE
ALAN & CAROL THORMODSON
TINA M VOGE TRUST
BETTY M OLSON TRUST AGREEMENT

Permit Type
Completion Date Estimated Value
Construction/Zoning Permit Application
12/1/2026
$13,000.00
Construction/Zoning Permit Application
10/20/2026
$170,000.00
Construction/Zoning Permit Application
11/30/2026
$250,000.00
Construction/Zoning Permit Application
11/15/2026
$5,500.00
Exterior Maintenance Permit Application
11/30/2026
Exterior Maintenance Permit Application
11/27/2026
Exterior Maintenance Permit Application
11/30/2026
438,500

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