IVANHOE — The Lincoln County Board cleared the way Tuesday for two construction projects destined to become highlights of county history.

At its regular meeting, the board approved the registered survey for property adjacent to Lincoln County Road 8 and the western Tyler city limits. The land is slated to become the site of the new K-12 Russell-Tyler-Ruthton School campus approved by district voters in a referendum this winter.

County commissioners also authorized County Environmental Officer Robert Olsen to send a letter of support for the first commercial wind turbine replacement project ever to take place on southwestern Minnesota’s Buffalo Ridge. The current turbines, located in Lake Benton Township south and east of the Lake Benton city limits, were built in 1993 by Kenetech Windpower for use on Northern States Power Company transmission lines.

Lincoln County Attorney Glen Petersen summarized the school property survey. He recommended approval based on favorable reviews by both the Tyler City Council and neighboring Hope Township.

He said the land, which is owned by Sherman DeZeeuw, is being purchased by the city on contract for deed. No expenses will be incurred by the county since the city agreed to cover all survey costs.

“We can’t proceed with subdividing the land until there’s an approved registered survey,” Petersen said. “Once it’s approved, the school site can be deeded to the school district, which can then go forward with construction.”

The land being purchased will allow the front of the school to face Lincoln County Road 8. The building will be within a short distance of U.S. Highway 14 and other main county roads. Tyler’s largest city park and its swimming pool are located across the road on County Road 8.

Plans are expected to leave some of the purchased land available for any appropriate use; either residential, commercial or for a non-profit purpose.

The building will serve all K-12 students in the RTR District. It will be the first new campus built in Lincoln County in more than 50 years, and will guarantee that it continues to have a high school. It had five of them until the late 1980s, which were located in Hendricks, Ivanhoe, Tyler, Lake Benton and Verdi.

For the wind energy endorsement, Olsen said the developer’s request was based mainly on a difference between setback distances required between turbines and adjacent property.

County zoning terms call for five roto-diameters, while the state requires only 3.5 diameters. By seeking county input, project planners hope to avoid potential delays when the replacement gets reviewed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

“The letter of support isn’t absolutely necessary because the county only handles permitting for wind projects under 25 megawatts,” Olsen said. “We’re just making it clear that we won’t object if the state allows a setback that’s less than our ordinance. I recommend going ahead with that because history has shown that the lower distance hasn’t caused a problem.”

He added that the next county zoning revisions are likely to include a reduction in the county setback guideline that makes it conform to the state standard.

In other business, the board approved a $65,000 campsite improvement at Norwegian Creek County Park on Lake Benton north of the city. County Parks Manager Daryl Schlapkohl said the proposal will lead to 50-amp electricity at all campsites, an amenity that can justify raising camper fees.

“Fee increases should pay for it within several years,” Schlapkohl said. “People won’t mind paying a higher rate in return for being guaranteed 50 amps. We’re a popular camping spot with a group of good park sites.”

The county has an additional $35,000 in the 2019 budget specifically allocated to Picnic Point County Park, located on Lake Shaokatan south of Hendricks and Ivanhoe. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Trails and Waterways grant is being prepared for Hole in the Mountain County Park in Lake Benton. A fourth campsite, at Stony Point on the east side of Lake Benton lake near Tyler, is privately owned.

On Tuesday the board also approved a revised state transportation funding resolution, one that deletes language indicating support for a statewide gas tax.

At other recent area county board meetings, Murray County commissioners passed an amended resolution of support for road funding with changes that call for equitable funds for county and township roads.

Yellow Medicine County commissioners voted down a resolution on a 2-2 vote. Those who voted against it cited the gas tax issue as well as a concern that much of the bonding bill funds will go toward large projects in the most populated parts of Minnesota.

Lincoln County Commissioner Mic VanDeVere said he considers the deletion of gas tax support enough for an endorsement of statewide road improvement funds in general.

“Just deleting the gas tax language makes a difference,” he said. “I’m in favor of everything else.”