Waseca County
MINNESOTA
307 N STATE ST
WASECA, MN 56093-2953
PHONE: (507) 835-0630
FAX: (507) 835-0633  
HOURS: 8:00am - 4:30 pm

      

Business Survey

Business Directory


Board of Adjustments/Planning Commission 2012 Calendar

ARCHIVED AGENDAS

Feedlot Information

Waseca County Flood Plain Maps

Prior Ordinance #42

The Planning and Zoning Department administers land use and Zoning Ordinances and Zoning Forms for rural areas (outside incorporated city limits) of Waseca County.  Zoning was first enacted in the United States in the early 1920s. The purpose of Zoning is to develop zones or districts in a municipality or County for the purpose of regulating the use of land within these districts. Within each of these districts the Zoning Ordinance specifies the permitted uses, the density and bulk of buildings, required setbacks, and other requisites to obtain permission to develop. The principal objective of zoning is to ensure that non-compatible uses are separated, such as industrial development and residential areas.

The authority for Zoning is delegated to counties, cities, and townships by the Minnesota Legislature. Zoning allows Waseca County the power to regulate activity by private persons to protect the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the public.

The rules of the Zoning Ordinance are derived from the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This plan provides Waseca County with a review of how the county has grown and changed over the years and discusses potential future trends and issues with respect to future growth, development and change. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan also set forth policies which are the basis for decision making with respect to future growth, land use, natural resources, economic development, public and community facilities, and infrastructure. In short, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is a blueprint of how the citizens would like to see Waseca County in the future.

The Planning and Zoning Department works closely with two groups in carrying out the authority of the Zoning Ordinance: the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. The purpose of the Planning Commission is to hold public hearings to gather information to consider requests relating to conditional use permits, subdivision plats, Zoning Ordinance or zoning map amendments and an assortment of other development and environmental issues. After hearing all the facts the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the County Board of Commissioners. The County Board has the overall approval authority of these issues and may approve the request with or without conditions. The Board of Adjustment has two basic functions: to hear requests from citizens for variances from the Zoning Ordinance, and to consider appeals from citizens regarding interpretation of zoning regulations by the Zoning Administer. Each of these functions is completed through a public hearing process to gather the facts concerning each request.

The Planning and Zoning department also administers several other land use programs such as: Feedlot regulation, Agricultural Inspector, Water Planning, abandoned cemetery care, E-911 addressing, land alteration permits and enforcement of shore land, floodplain, adult-use and airport zoning ordinances.

This office issues all Zoning Permits. It is crucial that any resident planning construction, building or land alteration projects within Waseca County consult the Planning and Zoning department regarding any rules, regulations, and/or necessary permits prior to starting the project.