NEW ULM — Public input continues to be sought as Brown County updates its Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the first time since 1991..

Bolton & Menk, Inc. Community Planning Manager Robin Caufman said public input is important for the draft plan that continues to be developed.

“We want to let the public know input from residents and local leaders has been heard and will be heard because it is essential every step of the way for the revised future land use map,” said Caufman. “We invite people to get involved, subscribe and follow draft plan progress of Vision 2040.”

She said both supportive and critical public feedback has played a direct role in refining the future land use map.

“Community members identified priorities such as protecting high-quality farmland, encouraging development within existing city limits, improving transportation safety and supporting targeted economic opportunities along Highways 14 and 15/68,” said Caufman.

Public feedback included more than 200 comments including concerns about trails in flood-prone areas, industrial expansion into rural landscapes, and housing development patterns.

Rather than treating viewpoints as opposing sides, the planning team used them collectively to adjust land use categories, refine boundaries, and ensure the map reflects a balance of interests across the county.

The county land use plan is a long-range guide, a roadmap of how the county would like to grow through 2040. A policy plan will help guide future decisions.

The plan is not a change to zoning regulations, not eminent domain (public land acquisition for private use). It does not change current zoning regulations. It does not change taxes.

It can’t affect property rights or require anyone to sell land. Any proposed trails would not be proposed on private property. If trails became a project, they would be in the right-of-way.

The draft maps are not final and will continue to be refined. The draft plan will be available for public review online in mid to late March.

Brown County Planning & Zoning staff and land use plan contractor Bolton & Menk representatives will be at a New Ulm Home, Health and Recreation Show booth from 3-8 p.m. Friday, March 27 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the New Ulm Civic Center, 1212 N. Franklin St.

The plan is proposed to be finalized in April and presented to Brown County Planning and Zoning and County Board meetings in May and June.

The county land use plan can be accessed on the Brown County website at https://www.co.brown.mn.us/228/Planning-Zoning. A revised, future land use map based on recent feedback and previous conceptual maps can be viewed at https://arcg.is/1nuCrP0.

For more information, contact Bolton & Menk Senior Plananer Mojra Hauenstein at Mojra.hauenstein@bolton-menk.com and 507-740-0121 or Brown County Zoning Administrator Robert Santaella at roberts@browncountymn.gov and 507-233-6644.