The Sherburne County Board Tuesday approved an amendment to the county zoning ordinance establishing areas where solar farms will be prohibited.

On March 26, 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.

The goal was to give staff time to examine potential and planned land uses and transportation connections in those growth corridors and determine if they were appropriate for solar energy systems, which could be in place for 25 to 30 years. 

The planning commission concluded the county’s comprehensive plan identifies land along Hwy. 10, 25 and 169 as future commercial and industrial development areas.

In addition, there are potential development and transportation implications regarding a future river crossing from Monticello to Big Lake near Hwy. 25.

They also determined land along Hwy. 169  will be affected by MnDOT’s plan to convert Hwy. 169 to a freeway by removing all traffic lights from the Mississippi River north through Elk River by 2025.

During the moratorium review process, Big Lake Twp. identified additional lands north of Co. Rd. 14 and west of Co. Rd 43. to be included in the proposed zoning amendments in order to preserve the prime agricultural land and provide for future residential and industrial areas.

Under the amended ordinance, new solar farms are prohibited in the following areas:

* On parcels less than five acres in size;

* In Baldwin Twp., areas within one-half mile of Hwy. 169.

* In Big Lake Twp., areas within one-half mile of Hwy. 10 and in all Sections, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35 and 36, Range 28 and Section 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 32, 33 and 34, Range 27 north of Co. Rd. 14 (see map).

* In  Livonia Twp., areas within one-half mile of Hwy. 169.

* In Shoreland Districts designated by the DNR;

* Within wetlands to the extent required by the Minnesota Wetlands Conservation Act.

* Within the Mississippi River and Rum River Scenic, Recreational River, and Special Use Districts.

The amended ordinance goes into effect immediately.

In other zoning action, the board:

* Approved a request by Big Lake School Dist. 727 to add an open-sided 30’x65’ storage building/concession stand/shelter near the athletic ballfields by Liberty Elementary School;

* Amended language and definitions in the county zoning ordinance regarding agricultural buildings and accessory buildings.