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Commissioners debate 10 MW solar farm on agricultural land; proposed approval with decommissioning conditions fails 4–1; moratorium language sent back for more,
Summary
After hours of debate about prime farmland, noise and long-term disposal of panels, a motion to approve a conditional-use permit for a 10-megawatt solar farm with conditions (a $200,000 cash deposit plus a $750,000 bond and a disposal plan) failed 4–1. The board approved a separate Tier‑2 dairy feedlot expansion and directed proposed renewables moratorium language back to the planning commission for further public hearing on meteorological‑tower language.
A lengthy hearing and board discussion over land-use, farm preservation and decommissioning requirements concluded with the Morrison County Board rejecting a proposed conditional use permit for a 10-megawatt solar farm.
Amy from Land Services introduced the conditional‑use application by Gerald Clyber and US Solar and told the board the planning commission had recommended denial. Commissioners raised multiple concerns during a sustained discussion: the site is prime agricultural land, the county’s current comprehensive plan is more protective of farmland than a prior version cited by the applicant, potential long-term loss of productive soil, noise complaints from nearby arrays, and uncertainties about end‑of‑life panel disposal and recycling.
Commissioner Lamir emphasized the county’s agricultural priorities and noted the county’s comp plan language that ‘‘agricultural activities should be given precedence over other land uses.’’ Several commissioners said they had heard from neighbors about a continuous hum near existing arrays and described the siting as a long‑term (30‑year) land‑use change. Several members also referenced pending state legislation (HF4290 and HF1852 in transcript discussion) addressing siting and setbacks for utility-scale projects.
On decommissioning, staff said the application included a plan and figures presented at the planning hearing but that there is no county‑wide fixed per‑megawatt assurance. Commissioners debated the adequacy of the applicant’s numbers; the applicant had referenced an earlier $750,000 financial assurance figure (discussed at the planning hearing) and commissioners discussed alternatives and escalation for inflation over a 30‑year life.
During board deliberations a proposal was captured on the record requiring, at permitting, a $200,000 cash deposit held by the county plus a $750,000 bond (or equivalent financial assurance) and a panel‑disposal plan identifying recycling/disposal facilities and periodic reporting to Land Services. Amy and staff described enforcement as part of the conditional‑use permit and confirmed that failure to comply would be a permit violation.
Commissioner Lamir moved to approve the conditional use permit with the conditions the board had discussed. The board took a roll-call vote: the chair voted in the affirmative, and four commissioners voted against. The motion failed (one in favor, four opposed).
Separately, the board approved a conditional use permit to expand a Tier‑2 dairy feedlot for Adam and Hannah Hebig; the planning commission had recommended approval and the board’s voice vote carried.
Finally, the board considered a proposed interim ordinance imposing a one‑year moratorium on community solar and wind energy conversion systems. Commissioners debated whether meteorological towers used for wind study should be excluded from the moratorium. The board voted to resend the moratorium language back to the planning commission for another public hearing with amended language (removing the met‑tower ban and allowing those studies to be addressed in the planning‑permit process).
