Tractor-trailer parking lot approved in Dunn County

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MANNING — Dunn County commissioners allowed a rezone, which gives the OK to a company to park tractor-trailers on 72 acres north of Manning.

The commission approved ULM Corp.’s request though the Dunn County Land Development Corp. requires a property to be at least 120 acres to be rezoned.

The variance to rezone the property from rural preservation to rural development passed with a 5-0 vote.

ULM Corp. plans to use the land to park several company-owned tractor-trailers.

“They feel the variance is required because they are only able to purchase 72.25 acres of land,” Planning and Zoning Administrator Sandy Rohde told the commission at its monthly meeting at the Dunn County Courthouse. “There are no other neighboring properties for sale to allow them to increase the property size.”

The recommendation to approve the request came from the Dunn County Planning and Zoning Board.

Commissioner Donna Scott, who is also on the board, said the board agreed that granting a variance and allowing ULM Corp. to come back to the commission and ask for a conditional use permit would be the best way to go.

Commissioner Bob Kleeman questioned the purchase.

“I am just thinking why you would want to own this property anyway?” he asked. “Why would you want that hill?

“If you are going to buy that, there are other maybe better spots in other areas you could buy for truck parking that would have to be better than buying a hill,” he added.

Commissioner Daryl Dukart, who made the first motion for approval of the request, said approval has to do with the rights of the landowner to use the property in the way they choose.

“I know we’re probably going to see a lot more of this going on and I think it goes back to the landowner’s right to be able to sell and then someone can come in and use that land,” he said.

Tags: ulm corp, dunn county, planning and zoning, news, rezone