After a brief discussion Tuesday, the Sherburne County Board voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance to change language on prohibition of solar farms in areas of Big Lake Twp.

The request for the amendment came from Big Lake Twp. property owner Jim Sanford.

Marc Schneider of Planning and Zoning said the county established a moratorium on solar farms back in 2019 along Hwy. 10 and Hwy. 169. One of the main reasons it was set along Hwy. 10 was because of a future Mississippi River crossing that might go through areas of Big Lake.

“We were going through a linkage study for a potential river crossing of the Mississippi  and Hwy. 25, and we were in the middle of our comprehensive plan,” he said.

Schneider said a similar request for an amendment by another applicant was denied in 2023 because of those studies, but now they have ben resolved.    

“With those two studies done, the planning commission did recommend approval of this proposed amendment,” said Schneider.

The amendment adds language that allows solar farms “for those parcels that have an existing Solar Farm constructed prior to Oct.1, 2025 or share a boundary line with a parcel that has an existing Solar Farm constructed prior to Oct. 1, 2025.

“Specifically, adjacent to existing solar farms where a lot of the utilities and equipment are already established, so it doesn’t completely open up solar throughout that area of Big Lake Twp.,” said Schneider.

Commissioner Raeanne Danielowski asked whether the previous solar farm request that was denied could now be brought back for approval.

“This ordinance would affect that property because they have an adjacent solar farm and they have components for a solar farm on their property,” said Schneider. “We did inform them.”

Commissioner Gregg Felber said he was conflicted about his decision, but voted to approve the amendment.

“The primary concern is if we approve this expansion. it will keep expanding solar in that area and prohibit other types of development in that area. However, this is the best use for this couple of properties,” he said.

Felber said he wanted to be sure the amendment doesn’t lead to filling all those fields in the area with solar.  

“Where Big Lake and Sherburne County might be 30 years from now,” he said, “I don’t think we want those full of panels.”

Property Acquisition

The board approved a resolution to acquire property for the Co. Rd. 33 reconstruction project from west of Auburn Street to Co. Rd. 13 in Elk River.

David Roedel with the Public Works Dept. said the county is at a point in the process at which it can begin purchasing permanent and temporary easements for the future construction of the improvements. All funds have been budgeted and approved through the normal budgeting process.

Solid Waste License

The board issued a Solid Waste License to Vonco II for major modifications and renewal of a Landfill License for a five-year term ending Dec. 31. 2031. The modifications are to their Source Separated operations and storage.

Other Business

In other actions the board:

• Approved a Gambling Premises Permit for Travelers Country Club on the Mississippi for their planned Summer 2026 Bingo events at Travelers Country Club on 80th Ave. SE in Clear Lake Twp.;

• Amended an agreement with Carefree Cleaning for janitorial services to clean the Becker and Zimmerman sites three days a week. The change is expected to save the county approximately $80,000 compared to the pre-June 2025 process;

• Approved a micro-grant of $730 from Health Partners to help offset the costs associated with services not covered by health care plans in the Therapeutic Service Unit;

• Approved a professional service agreement with Bolton & Menk for the preliminary design for the Hwy. 10 and Co. Rd. 11 Interchange at $1,725,000;

• Approved the Preliminary and Final Simple Plat of “Potato Sack One,” consisting of two lots on 46.84 acres off 86th Ave. SE in Clear Lake Twp.;

• Approved an amendment to the Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance to establish a Wrecker and Towing Service Business. The use would become an interim use permit only in the county’s Industrial Zoning District;

• Accepted 2025 fourth-quarter donations to Health & Human Services totalling $6,838.88.