Any person engaged in commercial agriculture within the Township
of Eureka shall be permitted to conduct the activities thereof at
any time during the day or night, including Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays, and regardless of the noise, odors, dust, or other adverse
influences created thereby.
Any person engaged in commercial agriculture shall have the right,
within the confines of applicable state laws, to traverse Town roads
with their machinery, equipment or other implements at any time.
Any person engaged in commercial agriculture shall have the right
to store and sell field crops, livestock products, and livestock which
are harvested or raised by that person on land located either within
the Township of Eureka or outside its boundaries.
The production of farm animals and other agricultural products is
an important part of the environment and economy of Dakota County
and the Township of Eureka. Livestock, poultry, dairy products, and
other agricultural commodities are produced in the Township of Eureka.
The continued viability of the agricultural community and production
of these products is essential to the economic well-being of the Township
of Eureka and its residents.
It is the intent of this section to allow for the continued production
of agricultural commodities and to maintain a healthy agricultural
community while ensuring that animal feedlots and animal wastes are
properly managed to protect the health of the public and maintain
compatibility of land uses in the Township of Eureka.
Measurements. The separation distances established in this section
shall be measured from the perimeter of the animal feedlot or animal
waste storage facility to the nearest referenced boundary or the exterior
wall of the principal structure containing the referenced use, whichever
applies. In the event a use is not contained within a structure, an
imaginary perimeter boundary shall be drawn around the referenced
use, and measurements shall be taken from that perimeter boundary.
Storage, transportation and utilization of animal manure. Shall be
governed under the rules and regulations of Minnesota Rules Chapter
7020, or as may be recodified.
Lagoons. In an effort to control the effects of odors, control files,
protect property values, and promote public safety, open lagoons for
the storage of animal waste from feedlots are prohibited in the Township
of Eureka.
Manure spreading. To reduce the impact of odors, liquid manure must
be incorporated into the soil as soon as possible. Further, manure
spread on the surface shall be incorporated within three days except
in an emergency as determined by the Town Board.
Waste. Any use that results in the storage or disposal of materials
or animal waste that results in discharge across neighboring property
or into the subsoil in such concentration as to endanger the public
or private health, safety, or comfort of the public or cause injury
or damage to any persons, property, business or endeavors is prohibited.
Conditional use permits. Unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, any person desiring to conduct an activity, business or project in the Township of Eureka that must file an application with and secure approval from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency or any federal agency, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, must also file an application for a conditional use permit as provided in § 240-31 and secure the approval for such activity, business or project from the Town Board. The Town Board will address land use issues, such as controlling potential odor, noise and flies, protecting property values, assuring public health and safety, and protecting Township roads.
Other standards. Compliance with all other applicable local, state
and federal standards shall be required, including state feedlot regulations
(Minnesota Rules Chapter 7020 or as may be recodified) and shoreland
development (M.S.A. § 103F.201).