Board approves interim use permit for up to 5 MW solar project in Ray Township

Blue Earth County commissioners on Sept. 23 granted an interim use permit for a large solar energy system in Ray Township, allowing a project with power capacity up to 5 megawatts to proceed under conditions recommended by the planning commission.

Scott Salisbury of Planning and Environmental Resources presented PC 21-25, a request from the Robert Kords Trust and Lunasan LLC for an interim use permit for the solar facility in Section 20 of Ray Township. Planning staff said the commission discussed potential impacts on township roads used for construction and recommended a condition limiting contractor use of township roads; the planning commission voted unanimously to forward a recommendation of approval to the county board.

Why it matters: the permit allows a utility-scale solar installation on agricultural land under county interim use rules; conditions aim to reduce construction impacts on township infrastructure.

Public comment and board action: planning staff reported no public speakers at the planning commission meeting or at the board hearing. Commissioners discussed the township road issue and said they expected continued communication to minimize problems; a commissioner moved for approval and the board voted to approve the interim use permit subject to conditions, including the condition on township road use during construction.

Context and limitations: the permit is an interim use approval tied to conditions drafted by staff and the planning commission; final site plan, decommissioning terms and other regulatory requirements will be part of the project record and any future permits.

Ending: staff will monitor compliance with the township-road condition and any other permit requirements as the project moves toward construction.