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Board reviews shoreline buffer policy, septic edits and plans to draft solar, wind and data-center rules
Summary
County staff updated the board on a package of ordinance revisions: a planning commission recommendation to adopt revised shoreline buffers (including using the defined term 'no maintenance buffer'), administrative septic-code cleanups tied to MPCA guidance, and next steps to draft rules for utility-scale solar, wind and data centers; commissioners debated buffer widths and whether to impose a moratorium on applications.
Chris briefed the board on a multi-part ordinance revision process that began in October and included a 30-day comment period and coordination with state agencies. The planning commission recommended adopting the amended ordinance with one key edit: replace the undefined term 'vegetated buffer' with the ordinance’s defined term 'no maintenance buffer.' The planning commission also recommended retaining a 25-foot buffer for Natural Environment lakes while discussing smaller buffers (10 feet) for General Development and Recreational Development lakes.
Chris said the proposed shoreline provisions would apply only when a property owner seeks a permit for a shoreline recreational use area (an area allowing up to 30% of a shoreline…
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