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Board approves 4.5 MW Clear Lake solar project with 22 conditions and security
Summary
The board amended the comprehensive plan and approved an interim use permit for a proposed 4.5-megawatt solar farm (Eilers Garden LLC) on Gunnar property in Clear Lake Township, with planning recommending 22 conditions and a financial security requirement of $100,000 per megawatt.
Sherburne County commissioners approved a comprehensive plan amendment and an interim use permit to allow a 4.5-megawatt solar farm on property in Clear Lake Township.
Planner Lynn told the board the project (Eilers Garden LLC) would be sited on Michael and Richard Gunnar's 40-acre property. The planning commission recommended approval with 22 conditions and a required financial security equal to $100,000 per megawatt. Lynn confirmed the project lies in the agricultural and shoreland districts and noted the planning commissionfindings of fact and conditions.
Commissioners described the parcel as a reasonable expansion of nearby solar development and supported the land-use change. "This property is not adjacently surrounded, but there's thousands of acres of solar within the vicinity of this property," a commissioner said in support. The board approved both the comprehensive plan map amendment and the interim use permit by voice vote.
The approvals include the planner's 22 conditions and the $100,000-per-megawatt security requirement; the board asked staff to schedule a future workshop to discuss potential adjustments to the per-megawatt security amount.
Next steps: staff will finalize the findings of fact and conditions and monitor compliance with the financial security and the planning commission's provisions.
