Sherburne County denies land‑use change and interim permit for 3.5 MW Elk River solar project after contested hearing

The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners voted April 7 to deny a request by Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and developer US Solar to reclassify roughly 38 acres in Big Lake Township from rural residential to energy production and to approve an interim use permit for a proposed 3.5‑megawatt solar farm known as Elk River Solar.

The decision followed a second public hearing and extensive public comment. The planning advisory commission had earlier recommended denial by a 6–1 vote, and staff presented follow‑up research on three issues the board had requested: potential property‑value impacts (staff cited a 0 to –4% range in some analyses), access for an adjacent lot (public works confirmed an access solution), and wetland review (a Technical Evaluation Panel issued a "no loss" wetland determination in the permitting process).

Residents who live adjacent to the site urged denial at the hearing, citing the project’s proximity to homes, the presence of wetlands and wildlife habitat, and concerns about property values. "We, the undersigned residents and property owners, respectfully request that Sherburne County…