After a 15-minute discussion Tuesday, the Sherburne County Board voted unanimously not to impose a moratorium on the placement of solar energy systems within the county.

 

Zoning Administrator Nancy Riddle said the Planning & Zoning Dept. has received numerous calls from solar energy companies and landowners regarding the ability to site solar energy systems on places in the county.

 

Riddle said the department has been working on a draft ordinance, which was sent out to all the townships. 

 

“We received comments back from all the townships except Clear Lake Twp.” she said “Orrock Twp. asked that we table this until they can attend more training and learn more about the subject. Baldwin wanted better language distinguishing between the types of systems. Livonia requested a moratorium. The Big Lake Town Board opposed a 240-acre solar farm at a recent meeting.

 

Riddle said there areas still questions that need to be addressed in the ordinance. 

 

“One of the main things we need to look is where we want them located,” she said. “They take up large tracts of land so I don’t think we want them located in any area that is better suited to something else for economic development.” 

 

Commissioner Ewald Petersen suggested the board not act on any moratorium because the legislature has at least three bills that address issues with solar energy systems. He made a motion not to do an interim moratorium, but to wait for the legislature to act on those bills first.

 

Commissioner Felix Schmiesing seconded the motion.

 

Commissioner Rachel Leonard asked if the county currently had the authority to deny a request for a solar energy system.

 

“If someone approached us now, is there any reason we can deny based on what we have on the books?” she asked.

 

“We don’t address it in our ordinance, so my interpretation is we don’t allow it,” said Riddle.

 

County Attorney Kathleen Heaney said if the ordinance doesn’t specifically list solar energy systems as a permitted use, then they’re not allowed.

 

Schmiesing asked if solar energy systems would be a conditional use.

 

“In the ordinance we’re writing now, yes it would be a conditional use,” said Riddle. “It depends on what kind. They range from small solar installations that might be on someone’s roof to these large ones.”

 

Schmiesing said the county tries to promote economic development to increase the tax base and preserve open space.

 

Many solar companies are offering 20-year leases. 

 

“The ground underneath them lives on and when they’re done, theyre done,” he said. “It’s not like a gravel mine or landfill.”

 

He said there are issues to be resolved, but he felt a moratorium wasn’t the answer.

 

“We can’t even identify what were afraid of at this point, but we need to be a little bit careful that we don’t shut the door on it,” he said. “I think it is important that we work very quickly to try to come up with something that fits this county. But I’m opposed to us closing the door.”

 

When the discussion was completed, the board voted not to seta moratorium, but to wait for the legislature to act on the solar energy bills first. In the meantime, planning and zoning will continue to work on a new ordinance.

 

In other zoning action, the board:

•Approved the preliminary residential standard plat for Sandhill Acres, consisting of four lots on 14.98 acres on 205th Ave. in Big Lake Twp.;

 

•Approved the  revised final plat of Shasta Meadows, consisting of six lots on 34.05 acres on Co. Rd. 1 and 273rd Ave. in Orrock Twp.;

 

•Approved an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for Sand Dunes Auto Service for an auto repair business in the commercial district on 184th Street NW in Orrock Twp.;

 

•Extended an existing IUP for Doris and Mickey Gruis to operate a diesel pick-up performance and repair business on 261st Ave. in Livonia Twp.