The Sherburne County Board last week approved a schedule of new host fee rates for the Elk River Landfill.
The rates were originally presented at the June 20 meeting, but the board tabled a decision to allow additional time for county staff to meet with Waste Management and discuss the fee changes.
Last week, Solid Waste Administrator Dave Lucas said staff met with Waste Management June 24, then informed Elk River Landfill that the rates presented at the June 20 meeting date would be presented at the July 18 meeting.
The existing agreement with Elk River Landfill was established in 2014 and shows gradual rate increases over 10 years. At that time, the fee for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) started at $3.50 per ton. It has increased to $5.00 per ton for 2023. In 2024 under the new schedule, the rates will start at $5.75 and reach $8.00 per ton by 2030.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste fees started at $0.30 per ton in 2014 and have increased to $1.00 in 2023. The fee will be $1.15 in 2024 and increase to $1.75 by 2030.
Industrial Solid Waste (ISW) fees started at $0.40 per ton in 2014 and have increased to $1.75 by 2023. They will start at $2.25 in 2024 and increase to $3.25 by 2030.
The processing of residuals started at $1.00 in 2014 and has reached $1.50 by 2023. In 2024, the rate will start at $3.00 and increase to $3.50 by 2030.
Lucas said the new fees were being established to keep the county more in line with those of other Minnesota counties. Host fees are paid by the landfill to the county and can be used for any public purpose, including general fund purposes.
Planning and Zoning
The board denied a request by James and Mary Hallila make a text amendment to the Sherburne county Zoning Ordinance that would have allowed them to put a solar farm on their property in Big Lake Twp.
In March, 2019, the board adopted a six-month moratorium on Interim Use Permits (IUPs) for solar farms and other solar energy systems along Highways 10, 25 and 169 in Big Lake, Livonia and Baldwin Townships to study potential and planned land uses and transportation connections in certain growth corridors and determine if they are appropriate for solar farms.
After the county completed its review, the board amended the zoning ordinance to prohibit solar farms in certain growth and transportation corridors.
The Hallilas own a parcel of property within Section 25 in Big Lake Twp. that abuts Hwy. 25 and Co. Rd. 17, which are heavily traveled corridors between Monticello and Big Lake and is included in the area where solar farms are prohibited by the ordinance.
The Hallilas’ request to amend the ordinance was reviewed at a public hearing by the Planning Advisory Commission on June 15. The request failed by a 3-2 vote.
Last week, the board followed the recommendation of the Planning Commission and also denied the request.
Other Business
In other zoning requests the board:
• Approved an (IUP) for Nick Christenson for a Temporary Business - an impound lot on 3.17 acres on Hwy. 10 in Big Lake Twp.;
• Approved an IUP for DIVOCSG 11 for a One-MW Solar Farm on 41.63 acres at 9208 River Rd. SE, Clear Lake Twp.;
• Approved an IUP for Ziegler Monticello LLC for a Highway Planned Use Development for Construction Equipment and E-Truck Dealer on 57.14 acres on 200th St. NW, in Big Lake; The permit will allow a dealership and rental with office, service shop, parts, warehouse, light machinery and equipment sales, and future solar panel installation business. The parcel previously housed the business of MN Limited.
In other actions the board:
• Accepted a Grant Award for the Emergency Services Program (ESP) in the amount of $175,000 for the period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025 to fund one of the current housing social work positions and allow for additional direct assistance funding for residents with housing instability or those experiencing homelessness;
• Approved the final contract payment with Duininck, Inc. in the amount of $38,344.91 for 2023 overlays on portions of Co. Rd. 34, Co. Rd. 53 and Co. Rd. 54.
