Board approves small ground‑mounted solar array at Ridgeway Community School with conditions

The Winona County Board of Adjustment on Sept. 18 approved a variance allowing Ridgeway Community School to install a ground‑mounted solar array that would extend into the rear setback, subject to conditions that protect existing sewage and heating infrastructure and require survey verification.

Planning presenter Aaron explained the proposed 13‑by‑380‑foot array would be located at the north edge of the school’s roughly 7.25‑acre lot in Pleasant Hill Township. County rules (Winona County zoning chapters 9.2 and 12.3 and Table 10‑2) generally require ground‑mounted solar arrays to meet accessory‑structure setbacks and prohibit ground‑mounted arrays from extending into the side or rear setback at minimum tilt. Aaron said the site was constrained by legacy development — additions, a geothermal heating field and an existing septic drain field — and staff had recommended draft findings; the county attorney prepared sample findings and conditions for approval.

Petitioner Jody (Joni) Dansenberg, representing Ridgeway Community Association, told the board the array was sized to meet the school’s electrical needs and to shift generation toward late‑afternoon production when local utility demand is high. She said the array would be grid‑tied, that the school serves about 120 students and hosts community childcare and events, and that the project would produce estimated savings (the petitioner cited roughly $25,000 per year once the system is paid off). The petitioner said they will preserve a vegetative buffer along the neighboring property line and will have survey corners marked before construction.

Neighboring landowner Tim Conner submitted a written letter of support; one nearby resident asked about noise and visibility during the public hearing and the school’s representatives explained inverters and equipment would produce minimal audible noise and that the array is a fixed (non‑tracking) installation. The board approved the variance with the staff‑recommended condition set, including survey verification of parcel corners and a requirement that the array not block an anticipated replacement location for the septic drain field.

The board read appeal instructions; any aggrieved party has 30 days to appeal to district court.