Planning and Zoning

Zoning Administrator - Laine Sletta
Email:

Assistant Zoning Administrator - Desiree Hohenstein
Email:

Telephone: (507) 233-6640
Fax: (507) 359-1430

The Planning and Zoning Department coordinates the overall administration of the Brown County Comprehensive Plan through the County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in the unincorporated areas of the county. This office issues building permits and provides inspections and permits for the on-site septic system program. It also enforces the Wetland Conservation Act and provides oversight of ag and weed inspection issues. Zoning staff work with all conditional use permit applications, variance applications, other related zoning issues. The department also has oversight of feedlot applications and enforcement of the State Feedlot Rules.

The department works with the county Planning Commission which makes recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners in regard to conditional use permits, subdivision plats, Zoning Ordinance amendments and other issues as needed. Staff works with the Board of Adjustment in regard to variance applications.

Brown County Planning - Zoning
PO Box 248
New Ulm MN 56073-0248

(PDF Ordinance Document)

Brown County 2010 Zoning Ordinance
Brown County Subdivision Ordinance
Brown County Zoning Map

Brown County Assessors Report
Brown County Burn Permit Report
Brown County Township Report

Feedlots

County Feedlot Officers -

Laine Sletta- Email:

Desiree Hohenstein - Email:

Telephone: (507) 233-6640
Fax: (507) 233-6643

• The Legislature provides funds to counties to implement state feedlot regulations and the amount is based on the number of feedlots that are required to be registered.
• The feedlot annual report highlights the work completed by the County Feedlot Officer, and the Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) Report highlights the funding received and spent by the Planning and Zoning Office to implement the feedlot program.
• That the County Feedlot Officer (CFO) should be contacted if there is interest in additional details

Brown County Feedlot Program Documents

• 2009 NRBG Report (PDF)
• 2009 Annual CFO Report (PDF)
• 2009 Feedlot Report (PDF)

Solid Waste/Landfill and Recycling

Solid Waste Officer - Laine Sletta
Email:

Recycling Coordinator - Brooke Patterson
Email:

Telephone: (507) 233-6640
Fax: (507) 359-1430

Brown County offers many options in regard to the proper management of solid waste. Through contracts with local recyclers, the county offers it’s citizens a comprehensive recycling program through curbside and drop-box collection services throughout the county. Special programs are offered at various times for the collection of household hazardous waste, fluorescent bulbs, plastic pesticide containers and agricultural waste pesticides. Information about the county recycling program and the special waste programs is available by contacting the Recycling Coordinator.

The Brown County Sanitary Landfill is open Monday – Saturday. This facility serves all waste haulers in the county and private citizens from the county. This state-of-the-art landfill also accepts, for a fee, appliances and tires for recycling.

The landfill operator can be contacted at 507-359-9151.

Parks

Parks Director - Laine Sletta
Email:
Telephone: (507) 233-6640
Fax: (507) 359-1430

Lake Hanska Park Caretaker - Gary Olson
Telephone: (507) 439-6411
Email:

The Brown County Park System includes a year-round park with campground and three seasonal, day-use parks. There are also four county maintained canoe access sites to the Cottonwood River and also one State Park.

The Brown County Park Commission is the advisory group that oversees the county park system and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on park issues related to planning and development.

For more information on each park regarding Activities and Maps please see the parks department home page:

Parks Department

Emergency Management

Director - Laine Sletta
Email:

Assistant Director - Desiree Hohenstein
Email:

Telephone: (507) 233-6640
Fax: (507) 359-1430

The Emergency Management Department is responsible for developing and maintaining the county emergency plan. It advises county officials on courses of action to taken during an emergency. It coordinates the use of resources in response to emergency situations, and maintains communications with other emergency response personnel in regard to emergency programs and issues. Other department responsibilities include E911 addressing, and coordinating educational and training opportunities for county residents. The department also administers the county burning permit program.

For information about protecting yourself in the event of an emergency, check out the following links:

American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/

State of Minnesota Division of Emergency Management: http://www.hsem.state.mn.us/

Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.fema.gov/

National Weather Service: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/

Skywarn Weather Spotters: http://www.skywarn.ampr.org/

Water Planning

Water Plan Coordinator - Brooke Patterson
Email:

Telephone: (507) 233-6640
Fax: (507) 359-1430

Implementation of the Brown County Comprehensive Water Plan is the primary focus of this department. This is accomplished through a variety of cooperative efforts with local and state agencies. Watershed projects along with a unique focus on county lakes, rivers and groundwater are the main program and work elements of this department.

Brown County Comprehensive Water Plan

Surface Water Assessment Grant (SWAG)

SWAG Educational Leaflet

SWAG Sites

SWAG Site Monitoring Results

* Site not Sampled/Available in 2009

Volunteer Monitoring Documents

Lake Assessment Data Sheet
Stream Assessment Data Sheet
Stream Habitat Data Sheet