After a three-hour public hearing, the Mower County Board of Commissioners needed more time to decide on a controversial conditional use permit request.

Veit Demolition Debris Facility-Austin LLC wants to renew its CUP for a 25-acre demolition landfill in Lansing Township and expand it by an additional 51 acres.

Although the request narrowly passed the Mower County Planning Commission's inspection a week ago, the county commissioners were not so quick to approve it Tuesday.

It was Richard Cummings, 1st District commissioner, who made the motion to table action on the request.

"I think the board needs to take a look at this site," Cummings said. The county commissioner also wants the landfill's setback from U.S. Highway 218 staked so the county officials can accurately gauge its impact on passing traffic.

Ray Tucker, 2nd District commissioner, seconded Cummings' motion and all five commissioners voted "Aye."

Because no more than two commissioners can meet without the Minnesota open meetings law being applied, the commissioners will visit the site next Tuesday morning, beginning at 7 a.m. in staggered shifts.

Vaughn and Rachel Veit own Veit Companies, Inc., of Rogers, which, in turn, owns a demolition landfill on the northern city limits of Austin.

Next door to the site live Bill and Bonnie Ryther, who have been adamantly opposed to the landfill.

The Rythers have led the protest of the landfill's expansion along with Perry and Nancy Byam, who live south of the site.

After the lengthy and at times emotional debate between Veit representatives and opponents, Bill Ryther expressed hope for his cause.

"It encourages me a little," he said, "but it also tells me there are concerns that they want to be addressed."

Roger Levy, a Lansing Township supervisor, remained firm to his belief expressed during the Tuesday public hearing. Levy said Lansing Township's own interim zoning ordinance and its efforts to adopt a comprehensive land use plan should not be ignored.

"The Mower County Board of Commissioners must look at how it can work with the townships," Levy said.

One of the more emotional speakers Tuesday was former Mower County Commissioner Len Miller.

"We're looking at a decision that could impact us for the next 1,000 years," Miller warned the county commissioners.

Scott Vasndenbeuvel, environmental manager for Veit, and Jack Perry, an attorney, again argued the case for the petitioner.

The attorney reminded the commissioners no longer does the "not-in-my-backyard" defense work for rejecting a controversial land use request. Minnesota courts will not allow it, according to the attorney.

After the site visit Tuesday morning, the commissioners will reconvene their public hearing on the request at 11:30 a.m.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com