The Becker Twp. Board met Monday evening and was able to get its first look at some of the plans for a large solar farm being proposed by Xcel Energy.  If approved, it could affect a large portion of township property south and east of the City of Becker’s industrial park.

The township had received a letter from Xcel in the past regarding the proposal, but Monday was the first time that a map specifically outlined the properties to be developed.

Part of the project covers a large swath of property south of Hwy. 10, stretching west from Co. Rd. 11 all the way to the city limits.  

Clerk Lucinda Messman informed the board that Xcel had offered to conduct a Zoom meeting with the board to answer any questions regarding the project, which ultimately would need to be approved by the MN Public Utilities Commission.

The supervisors agreed that although the issue might be beyond their local permitting authority, it would be good to seek more information about the proposal so a session will be proposed during the board’s February meeting.

While their discussion about the project was brief until more details are known, it included some preliminary thoughts about trying to cite a road through the area, as well as the possibility that it could impact a future expansion of the city’s current industrial park.

Most of the property included in the project is currently zoned agricultural, with solar farms being a permitted use.  However, a small area northwest of the Sherco plant currently zoned as industrial space is also earmarked for the farm.  Current industrial zoning ordinance does not allow such a usage, although Messman noted that she is seeking clarification on that small parcel of land.

In unrelated news from a similar geographic area of the township, the board learned that VONCO has submitted a major modification application for their disposal facility.  This would occur on the current VONCO site and is a proposed expansion for the current solid waste permit that expires in February of 2027.  More information will be forthcoming from the MN PCA, the permitting agency governing solid waste disposal.

2020 Zoning

While the January meeting of the Joint Planning Board was canceled, supervisor Brad Wilkening did share permitting data from the 2020 season.

The township saw an increase of 24 single family homes built during the year, up from 19 in 2019.

Sixty permits were approved for updated sewer systems, while the total number of permits issued for the year was 385, a significant increase from 323 in 2019 and 189 the year prior.

Much of the activity was attributed to remodeling, as 2020 saw more permits in that area than the two previous years combined.

2021 Roads

After holding a special workshop meeting earlier this month to discuss their roadways, the board was able to review their plans and budget for construction projects for the upcoming season.

The items on the proposed list included work to be done in collaboration with the county, totaling nearly 6.5 miles of roadway improvements.

Grading gravel roads, paving, reclamation and chip sealing projects all made the list for the supervisors to review.

The board decided to prioritize a few of the repairs and hold off on others because of the budget implications, as well as the contingencies required for some of the projects.  Depending on the bid amounts, the final list could be a little smaller or larger in scope.

As a next step, the board requested some specifications and drawings from the township engineer so they can begin discussions with affected property owners.

The largest project appears to be 142nd St., while the board also discussed possible Local Road Improvement Project grant funding for 97th St. or 82nd St.  Both roadways act as collector roads and could meet the threshold of regional significance to increase the likelihood of receiving the State of Minnesota funding.  Further discussions with surrounding jurisdictions will be held in the coming months, as there are some shared roadways up for consideration of reconstruction as well.

Sheriff’s Report

Sgt. Dan Frank of the Sheriff’s Office shared the report from the last period, noting a total of 113 calls for service.  Frank noted that there has been an increase in the number of mail thefts occurring across Sherburne County.

“We ask people to call in if they see parties near mailboxes,” said Frank.  “Recording the license plate number of the vehicle will also help.”

In other business, the board:

• Held a public hearing on some language revisions in the Planning Commission ordinance;

• Discussed the issue of homeowners placing fiberglass roadway markers with the roadway right of ways (ROW).  The township is not responsible for these markers or other items placed in the ROW and no reimbursement will be offered;

• Approved the 2021 budget;

• Approved township legal counsel to work with Sherburne County in pursuing legal recourse against a property owner who has failed to abate nuisances and secure the proper permits for buildings;

• Set Feb. 22 before the regular township meeting for the Board of Audit meeting;

• Set the Board of Appeal and Equalization for April 6 at 6 p.m.;

• Approved a contract with North Metro to handle all animal control services and inspections.