The Clear Lake city council met Tuesday evening and wrestled with a pair of issues surrounding development and future land usage.

Jay Roos appeared before the council hoping to move his townhome project forward and he proposed having the city complete some improvements and then charging the costs back to his development.  In addition, he asked the council to consider a charge of $3,000 for the SAC and WAC fees per townhome.

Council was concerned about Roos’ proposal being a better deal than other developers had received in the past, as well as what could happen should the properties turn into rentals rather than owner occupied units. 

After considerable discussion, council member Dale Powers made a motion that would accept the SAC and WAC concessions but would recuperate $752 in WAC fees and $4,378 in SAC fees should a future owner of the townhome turn the property into a rental unit.  In addition, there was a clause in the motion to ensure that the units being built were developed in line (property value wise) with other structures in the area to ensure home values would be maintained.  Council approved Powers’ motion, leaving Roos to ponder his next move as he was unsure he would accept the council’s offer.

Geronimo Energy

Representatives from Geronimo Energy appeared before council to engage in conversation regarding a proposed solar farm development which could encompass 2,400 acres between Clear Lake and Becker.  While much of the proposed site would fall within Sherburne County and Clear Lake Township, approximately five percent of the acreage would be within the Clear Lake city urban expansion district.

The proposal brought many questions from council, who appeared to be concerned with having the city land locked and without additional land for future development to the south of town.

While tax benefits and landowner rights guided much of the discussion, Powers also wondered why the project couldn’t move forward without putting the expansion zone at risk.

The representatives thought it to be possible, but weren’t willing to commit to the feasibility of the project without the full acreage.

Council also had questions as to the ultimate authority over the project, as the MN PUC will ultimately govern any final decision.

Mayor Tim Goenner asked how long the land would be tied up, as a possible roadway interchange that has been talked about in the past could encompass some of the same property.  The lease term for the land is for a full 25 years, meaning the commitment would last at least that long.  It was unknown if the State of MN or MNDOT might be able to use eminent domain should the need for the roadway or possible cloverleaf come to fruition before the lease’s expiration.

Several of the landowners were also at the meeting to discuss possible benefits to the City should the project move forward.  Paul and Gary Gray own some of the land proposed to be part of the solar farm and they said they were open to working with the city on possible annexation in order to maximize the revenue stream for the municipal finances.

“We want to do what’s in the best interest of our families but also the community,” said Paul Gray.

Gary Gray, who is also the board chair of the Clear Lake town board, asked the council to consider the environmental benefits to having the 2,400 acres put into a solar farm.

“That’s potentially thousands of tons of fertilizer that won’t go onto the land,” said Gray.  “It’s also tens of millions of gallons of water that won’t be pumped [for irrigation].”

Both the reps for Geronimo and the council agreed to continue the discussions in the future to try and find a “win-win” solution for all involved.

In other business, the council:

• Accepted the Sheriff’s Report from Sergeant Chad Johnson, who noted 24 calls in the past service period;

• Conducted a three year review of Derek Kent’s IUP for his business CMP Attachments.  All parties agreed that things are progressing well, as Kent is up to seventeen employees at his business from the four positions he had when he started.  The IUP will be reviewed again in two years;

• Approved a resolution to accept the CARES funding and reimbursing the general fund $5,600 and the fire department $879 for COVID-19 related expenditures;

• Approved additional funds for the fire department from the CARES Act funding stream, as Fire Chief Ron Koren is putting together a list of allowable expenditures;

• Approved the 2021 expenditure and revenue budget, as well as the preliminary levy which will remain flat for the new year.