Joint Airport Zoning Board Meeting - April 2, 2026: Adoption of Airport Zoning Ordinance

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as April 1, 2026, but the instruction for this summary specifies April 2, 2026. The following summary reflects the content of the meeting as recorded.

The Joint Airport Zoning Board (JAZB) met to adopt a new Airport Zoning Ordinance for Rochester International Airport, updating the 2005 ordinance to comply with 2019 state statute changes and 2021 master plan updates. The meeting included a public hearing and a unanimous vote to adopt the State Model Zoning Ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of January 23, 2026: Approved unanimously (9 ayes, 1 absent: Polly Glynn).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Reiter (Olmsted Aggregate): Expressed concerns about whether the new ordinance would affect an ongoing quarry permit process north of the airport, noting coordination with the FAA and city council for over a year.
• Olivia Oehlke: Asked about non-conforming use expansions, density restrictions in Zone B, and whether zone boundaries are shrinking or expanding.
• Bill Kusile: Raised questions about grandfathering for his farmstead in Zone A, rebuilding a house, noise from C-130s, and enforcement of height restrictions. He noted that the city previously denied a shed permit, which was later approved after discussion.
• Bill Schimmel (Stewartville City Administrator): Questioned density restrictions in Zone C and impacts on community gatherings and industrial growth, as well as water tower height restrictions.
• Jimmie-John King: Asked about the effect of the ordinance on a proposed power line and fireworks operations near the airport.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Evan Barrett (Mead & Hunt): Detailed the purpose of the update—2019 state statute changes (requiring integration into comprehensive plans), updated FAA rules, and the 2021 master plan. Explained that the ordinance includes airspace obstruction zoning and land use zones (A, B, C). Noise mitigation was deemed unnecessary because the 65 DNL noise contour is entirely on airport property and the 60 DNL contour lies within Zone A (where structures are prohibited).
• Map Changes: The northwest approach shrinks due to a canceled runway extension; the northeast approach shortens and shifts south; the southwest approach extends due to a planned instrument landing system; and the southeast approach remains similar but with shorter Zone A and B lengths (capped at 4,000 and 2,000 feet, respectively). Only two small areas off airport become new Zone A (agricultural land), and a few areas become new Zone B. Most areas are downzoned or remain the same.
• Non-conforming Uses: Two existing residences in Zone A are explicitly grandfathered and can be rebuilt as long as the hazard does not increase.
• Variances: All variance requests go to the City of Rochester's Board of Appeals. The zoning administrator for each jurisdiction (city, township, or county) enforces the ordinance through building permit reviews.
• Enforcement Concerns: Commissioners discussed whether the ordinance provides adequate oversight if local zoning administrators approve permits that conflict with the ordinance. The airport can still comment through FAA processes, and litigation is the ultimate remedy for violations.

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of the State Model Zoning Ordinance for Rochester International Airport: Approved unanimously (10 ayes). The board voted to submit the proposed ordinance to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MINDOT) for review. After MINDOT approval, the ordinance will be formally adopted and transmitted to affected municipalities (Rochester, Stewartville, High Forest Township, Rochester Township) for incorporation into local codes.
• Next Steps: MINDOT will review the ordinance; JAZB members will sign the final document via DocuSign. No further meetings are anticipated unless MINDOT requests changes.