Council agrees to consider deferring SAC/WACC fees for United Therapeutics' proposed solar garden

Craig Britton, an engineer with Widseth representing United Therapeutics, asked the Stewartville City Council to defer the SAC (sewer availability charges) and WACC fees for Out Lot A, a roughly 15.3-acre parcel proposed for a solar garden.

Britton explained the solar array would primarily support the United Therapeutics facility and would not, in its current configuration, place demand on the city's sewer or water systems. "We're simply asking for the deferment," he said while explaining that the development agreement would be written to apply to the property so that if the lot later develops traditionally the assessment would be applied at that time.

Council members asked practical questions, including whether the deferral would stay with the property on a sale and who would ultimately bear the roughly $51,000 charge pro-rated for that portion of the site. Britton said the development agreement would "live with the property" and that the second-lot assessment would be assessed when the land re-plats or is otherwise developed.

Staff and council also discussed stormwater and impervious-surface impacts raised by the project; staff noted the city lacks a dedicated solar ordinance and said they would work through pond sizing and other technical details with the developer.

The mayor moved to consider deferring the SAC/WACC charges for Out Lot A; the motion was seconded and the council voted in favor (recorded as 'aye'), carrying the motion to consider the deferral. The council directed staff to include the deferral language in the development agreement and to coordinate required technical clarifications before final development approvals.

No dollar waiver was granted at the meeting; the action recorded is the council's motion to consider and include the deferral in the development agreement and to return any additional required documentation to the council for final approval.