Rochester Airport Zoning Board Meeting Summary - January 26, 2026
Joint Airport Zoning Board Meeting - January 26, 2026
The Rochester Joint Airport Zoning Board convened for a meeting to review a proposed update to the airport zoning ordinance, driven by 2025 state statute revisions, updated FAA/MDIOT rules, and the airport's 2021 master plan. The board heard detailed presentations on the standard State Model Ordinance versus a custom option, engaging in discussions with stakeholders from the City of Stewartville regarding land use compatibility and airspace impacts. After analyzing the implications for safety, land use restrictions, and enforcement mechanisms, the board voted to proceed with the State Model Ordinance approach.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes from the November 21, 2025 meeting without changes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bill Schemmel (City Administrator) and Mayor King (City of Stewartville): Expressed strong support for the airport and a desire to maintain a cooperative partnership. Mr. Schemmel noted that while Stewartville is supportive, their city zoning ordinance must align with FAA and state requirements to ensure orderly growth. Mayor King emphasized Stewartville's role as a listening partner and commitment to working within the zoning framework.
- Stewartville Representative: Stated that Stewartville is currently finalizing its own zoning ordinance revisions for 2026. The representative sought assurance that the new airport zoning would not prohibit existing or planned residential, industrial, or commercial uses. They expressed confidence that the proposed changes would not conflict with underlying zoning, noting that most areas are already restricted or the new height limits (200-250 feet) allow for significant development like high-density residential.
Discussion Items
- Presentations on Ordinance Options: Deputy City Attorney Brent Carlson and consultant Evan Barrett presented two options: the State Model Ordinance and a Custom Ordinance.
- State Model Ordinance: Recommended by the staff. It utilizes standard zones (A, B, C) and airspace surfaces based on the airport's "planned ultimate condition" from the master plan. It offers a streamlined approval process with MDOT, likely resulting in a "rubber stamp" approval compared to the custom route.
- Custom Ordinance Option: Requires a detailed safety risk study (taking over a year) and significant coordination with MDOT to justify deviations from state models. Examples of Lake Elmo and Duluth were provided, noting they had to accommodate incompatible existing developments (e.g., residential in high-risk zones) that the standard model would prohibit.
- Zone Changes and Impacts:
- Land Use Zones: The presentation clarified that zones A and B would actually become less restrictive in most areas off-airport property. Zone A lengths are capped at 4,000 feet (down from the previous 2/3 of runway length), converting many existing Zone A areas to Zone B or Zone C. Zone C will expand slightly to the south in Stewartville and Rochester due to the removal of the 1-mile perimeter restriction in state law, though existing low-density land uses (agricultural, residential) remain largely unrestricted as they already fall below the 150-400 foot height limits.
- Airspace Restrictions: The board discussed the removal of the 1.5-mile prohibition on airspace regulation. This allows the new ordinance to adopt FAA Part 77 imaginary surfaces extending further (up to 10 miles for precision approaches). However, the board was informed that these restrictions mostly affect tall structures like wind farms (400+ feet) and cell towers, rather than standard buildings.
- Enforcement and Appeals: The board discussed the role of the joint board versus local jurisdictions. It was clarified that while local jurisdictions enforce the ordinance through their own permits, the Joint Airport Zoning Board will identify the City of Rochester's Board of Zoning Appeals to handle variances and appeals, rather than creating a new body. The state statute now explicitly mandates local enforcement integration.
- Noise Mitigation Discussion: Members raised questions about whether noise abatement or sound insulation could be included in the zoning ordinance. Staff indicated that the State Model Ordinance does not include noise mitigation provisions and that such provisions would effectively require a custom ordinance or a separate resolution, noting that Rochester's current runway operations do not generate significant noise footprints extending beyond Zone A.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Adopt Model Ordinance: The board voted to proceed with the State Model Ordinance route.
- Motion made by Board Member Keene, seconded by Board Member Kenworthy.
- Vote Result: Passed (All in favor).
- Next Meeting Date: Set for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
- This meeting will serve as a public hearing for the draft ordinance.
- Location: Proposed to be in the Council Chambers or a room with live streaming capabilities (Teams link to be provided for remote attendees).
- Agreed Strategy: Staff will draft the ordinance and detailed maps based on the State Model and the airport's planned ultimate condition, presenting them for public hearing and final consideration at the April meeting. The board agreed to meet annually thereafter to maintain the ordinance's relevance.
Meeting Transcript
I'm going to call the meeting to order of our joint airport zoning board. And we start off our meeting with an open comment period. So this is an opportunity for members of the public to address the board. Anyone from the public wishing to be heard. Step forward and then state your name and you've got five minutes. I don't think we have a rule of our sum that I haven't worked with in the past, Bill Schemmel, City Administrator and Stewartville. And so I've worked with the airport folks because obviously we're next to our neighbors and the different projects that the airport's worked on. We've been as a courtesy part of being able to comment. And now that there's uh new folks that have uh come aboard, either for the city of Roch or uh whatever, we just thought that uh hopefully as the future goes uh by uh we can be extended the same courtesy of uh working with you, visiting with you. Obviously, we're as supportive of uh the airport as anybody. And then uh the more important reason is our city zoning ordinance has to take into account uh the FAA and the Minnesota uh Department of Aeronautics zoning requirements for our growth and development, and so we just figured it's a natural um partnership that we should work together on. And obviously, we want to work together with you so that we uh keep that orderly growth going and uh appreciate opportunity today to say hi and introduce ourselves. I got Mayor King with me too, who uh represents our elected body, and uh so we'll look forward to uh working with all of you as time goes by, or as we need to interact with uh zoning requirements or uh growth and development. Thank you. Thank you for being here. Yep, appreciate it. Mayor King. I've never been in a meeting where you haven't wanted to say anything. Just a listener word. Thanks for letting us be here. Good to have you. Yeah, feeling to work with you, real. Good. Thank you. Uh at this point, uh any other members of the public wishing to be heard. Seeing none, uh, I will close our open comment period. And uh uh Mr. Carlson, you want to call the role? Sure. Uh Chair Schubring here. Board member Keene. Here. Board Member Woodward. Here. Board Member Gupta. Here. Board Member Senjum. Here. Board Member Kenworthy? Here. Board what board member Peterson? Here. Board Member Glenn. Uh here is doesn't count towards the quorum, but uh is listening in today. Uh board member Lapelt is not present. And board member Mueller. We have a quorum. Thank you. Uh just a uh a point of information. So you're addressing us as board members.
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